Question
Our lawn care company has raised its prices such that we can no longer budget for it and plan to care for our own lawn.  We are unsure about what to do and when to do it, though.  We live in Indianapolis, Indiana (zone 5), and have .75 acres with few trees.  I read that someone posted the following answer to a person in MA, and wondered if you could please suggest a similar schedule for us and our conditions.  Thanks so much!

Round 1 Application: Early Spring 揃ooster?March-April
稟 High Potash early Spring application is applied to green up the lawn and strengthen the root system.
?2-24-11 1%

Round 2 Application: Spring Treatment: April-May
稟n Application of fertilizer with dimension crabgrass preventative is applied to your lawn.
稵his will boost the speed of growth and color with your lawn for the spring.

Round 3 Late Spring /Early Summer Application: May-June
稟 weed control is applied for present weeds.
稟n additional feed fertilizer accompanies.
?5-2-5 1%

Round 4 Summer: June-July
稟n application of slow release organic fertilizer is applied to ensure continued growth through the dry season.
稴pot weeding is also applied for any present weeds and crabgrass
?5-2-5 1%

Round 5 Late Summer: July - August
稟 second application of organic fertilizer is applied to green up the lawn as the season embarks into the wet and cool part of the year.
稴pot weeding applied to control any present weeds.
?5-2-5 1%

Round 6 Early Fall: August-September
稟 Third application of organic fertilizer is applied to green up the lawn as the season embarks into the wet and cool part of the year.
?5-2-5 1%

Round 7 Late Fall Winter Application: September-October
稟 winterizer fertilizer is applied to prepare the lawn for another harsh New England winter.
稵his application helps provide nutrients to the roots of the grass as it enters its dormant stage
稟t this time any lawns requiring a balanced pH level are treated with lime
?-1-3 1%

Answer
I have a few issues with this schedule. 1st, the "High Potash" fertilizer listed is actually High Phosphorus and NOT "High Potash." High Phosphorus is not only NOT needed, but is actually being banned in many municipalities because of the increased pollution of nearby waterways with too much phosphorus. I also don't like that it lists fertilizers without giving rates. If you applied the fertilizers listed at their recommended rates, you'd be putting down WAY too much throughout the season.

Also, the "Organic" fertilizers listed as 25-2-5 are likely only partially organic. Usually, organic fertilizers are more in the 6-4-0 range.

Let me take a crack at this.

1) March - April: 20-5-10 (roughly) fertilizer plus Dimension at 5 lbs of fertilizer per 1000 square feet.

2) April - May: Spot weed treatment as/if needed. If the lawn is a bit hungry, then apply a rue organic fertilizer like Milorganite.

3) May-June: Organic Fertilizer at about 1/2 lb of nitrogen per 1000 sq ft.

4) June-July: Hang in there, look for weeds and selectively treat them if needed.

5) July-August: IF the lawn looks really hungry (plenty of water, but still yellowish) then again add about 1/2 lb nitrogen per 1000 sq ft in the form of an all organic fertilizer

6) August - September: Fertilize with a 20-5-10 fertilizer at the rate of 5 lbs of fertilizer per 1000 sq ft. (which translates to 1 lb nitrogen per 1000 sq ft). Spot seed any thin or bare areas and water the seed daily.

7) October-November: One last fertilizer application of 15-0-10 (or similar) at the rate of 4 lbs of fertilizer per 1000 sq feet of lawn.

Well, I hope that helps. In my opinion, it's a far more reasonable, and likely more effective program than the one you had found.  Good luck!

-C. J. Brown