I wouldn't use anything in the summer. You want the grass to slow down during the summer. I would hold off until September and fertilize once in September and once after the top growth stops but while the grass is still green (that may be in November).

> "your helpful advice over the past few years"

I highly doubt anyone here recommended a weed N feed or nitrogen in July and August - let alone the Scott's 14 step program.

So are you suggesting not to apply anything this summer at all? I thought I should apply at least a turf builder fertilizer to keep the lawn nourished. And what about something for insect control? Or is that just unnecessary?

And, no, no one recommended scott's 14 step program - as I said, I wasn't fertilizing myself before this year, so that is why I'm seeking advice now. The "helpful advice" I was referring to had more to do with poa control.

Thank you.

I never use fertilizer in the summer. During summer, root growth scales back and top growth slows. If you fertilize it, you can cause a flush of growth, but the roots stay small and you have to water a lot more. If you don't fertilize, the grass grows more slowly and doesn't need as much water.

Do you have insects? If so, are they harmful? If you have harmful insects, you'll need to treat, but I think the insect treatments are harmful to worms, so I would only use them if you need to.

If I were you, I'd fertilize once in the spring and twice in the fall, with the second time being after the grass has stopped growing, but while it is still green.

I wouldn't use a weed and feed product at all. If you have weed problems, it's better to use a fertilizer, then go around and spot spray the weeds. The weed killer is more effective if it's used when the weeds are growing actively, so fertilizing first ensures they're growing vigorously when you spray them.

> "So are you suggesting not to apply anything this summer at all? I thought I should apply at least a turf builder fertilizer to keep the lawn nourished"

Well .... personally speaking, I suspect a shill.

To add ammo to my gun, you said - "Thanks to everyone on this forum for all of your helpful advice over the past few years"

*IF* you have ever read this forum before, then you know dog gone well the answer to the question I quoted above in this particular post!

BTW - there is a search feature that can be easily used within this forum - try it, you'll like it!

To clarify my earlier comment, I meant to fertilize, then wait a week or two before spot spraying the weed killer.