Question
Turf builder is so expensive, is there any thing else I could use on my lawn?

Answer
$20 to $30 a bag?  Could be worse.  There's not much bang for the buck there.  What you need is to put your Lawn on autopilot.  You already mow it.  You water it.  You want to maintain it at a reasonable cost, with reasonable effort.  That's a great idea.  Lose the TurfBuilder.  Get with the program.

We agree our Grass needs Nitrogen. Until recently, you'd hear everyone also agreeing that Nitrogen is the same no matter where you get it from.  That Nitrogen from Fertilizer is the same as Nitrogen from Manure, only there's more of it per square inch in the Fertilizer.

Trouble is, that high-powered Fertilizer is potent stuff -- too strong, and too salty.  Because chemical Fertilizers are, chemically, Salts.  That's not theory.  That's fact.

You just KNOW that Salt is bad for your Grass.  It's also bad for the microbes in your Soil, and it's bad for the Earthworms, the Ants, the friendly Flea-eating Grub-guzzling Ground Beetles and all the other bugs we hate to love.  This is the circle of life, the food chain from the ground up.  Turfbuilder is bad for them.  And you PAY for it.

The best thing you can put on your Grass:  Organic Matter.  Anything with built-in Humic Acid.

What's so good about Humic Acid?

Technically, Humic Acids boost soil fertility by making micronutrients available to your Grass.  They bind (chelate) positively charged multivalent Cations (Mg2+, Ca2+, Fe2+.  In alkaline Soil -- the kind your Cool Season Grass likes to grow in -- Humic Acid chelates metal ions.  It boosts Nitrogen levels.  This is the Rocky Balboa of nutrient boosters.  Seeds planted in it germinate faster because trigger enzymes.   They grow healthier and bigger because Humic Acids aid in photosynthesis.  They are the best thing about Humus.

Just for the record, you can purchase Humic Acids at Healthy Home Mall:

http://www.healthyhomemall.com/index.html

Note please: I am NOT recommending you do that.  That's just for the record.  I want you to get an idea of just how valuable Humic Acid is.  Because if you think Turfbuilder is expensive, wait 'til you see what they get for Humic Acid.

Now that you're over the sticker shock, let me tell you the good news: You can get Humic Acids for FREE.

Because Humic Acid is the magic ingredient produced by Earthworms.  Humic Acid is made up mainly of organic acids: Sulfur, Nitrogen and Phosphorus.  'Humates' are produced during decomposition of organic matter by microbes.  Decaying wood, rotting leaves, Peat are rich sources of Humic Acid.  And they are a key to rich, fertile Soil.  Turfbuilder can't come close to giving you the benefits that Humic Acid and Humates give you.

Compost, Humus, Manure -- the Organic Trifecta.  Topdress with any one and you'll boost your Soil fertility.  You Grass will be healthier and it will grow beautifully.

But remember:  to do it right, be really nice to your Humic Acids-generating Earthworms.  Because after all these years of Turfbuilding, you can bet those neighborhood Earthworms have had it up to here with chemical fertilizers.  You do right by them, and they'll do right by you.  No rototilling, no aerating, no more fertilizer and of course no more grub-killers, bug-killers or any other 'killer'.  If it has a skull and bones on the bag, or just a "Caution" warning, your Earthworms won't like it.  And neither will your Grass.

Some people are a slave to fashion.  Some people are a slave to lawn care products.  Step outside the box, sir, and see the world through a scientist's eyes.  Your Lawn will look better by the day.  Thanks for writing.  Your questions invited.

L.I.G.