Question
Thanks, Kenneth for advice. Now, I've a question for weed control. While mowing the lawn over last weekend, I noticed 30% of area is covered with weeds (I don't know what type it is, though). What is the best way to get rid of weeds? Fertilizer with weed control or weed control sprays? What is the best & permanent way?

Thanks again.

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Followup To
Question -
Hi,
I've just purchased my first home in a suburb of Chicago. It has around 7000 sq ft of lawn. So, i've purchased a 3-in-1 LawnBoy mower too. My question is - What is the best & easiest way to do lawn mowing? Is it necessary to do bagging? If so, how often I should bag? Bagging such a big yard will be a big deal for me.
What is advantageous? Mulching or side-discharge? How often should i mow the lawn?

Thanks much in advance.

Regards,
KD
Answer -
By all means do mulch the clippings.

Bagging is a vaste of natural resources. The only time I bag clippings is in early spring, or when the grass has become too long, when mowing would cause the clippings to fall and mat the grass.

If you mow weekly (preferably twice weekly in late spring and early fall) and mulch mow, the clippings should fall between the regular grass and not mat down.

The grass clippings contain natural organic fertilizer nutrients, especially nitrogen which the lawn requires in high amounts. Also mulching (mowing which cuts the pieces into small pieces which fall into the lawn) helps aerate the lawn and keep the soil surface moist which makes for a greener, and nicer lawn.

E.g. mow weekly and try not to cut more than 1/3 of the length of the grass at any single mowing. E.g. if grass is 3" tall, cut it no lower than 2", if it is 6" tall mow it no lower than 4". Try to keep the lawn at 2.5-3.5" tall at all times (meassured after cutting the grass. Use a ruler the first time, and the note the mower deck setting for future). You can keep the mowing deck height the same for the entire season.

May/June you may have to mow twice per week because grass at this time grow very fast. Same in september. However, most other times of the year, once per week is fine (even once every 10-14 days in mid summer when cool season grass grow less prolifically).

Cut the grass 2.5-3.5" tall (meassuered after mowing) and try to mow the lawn before the grass becomes 4-5" tall.

Mulch mowing is better than side-discharging because the mulching attachmenet helps cut the grass clippings into fine pieces which fall between the grass plants.

By the way: in your area, fertilize in late spring, early fall, and late fall (such as May, September and late October/early November). Do not fertilize during hot summer months, and if possible do not fertilize too early in spring either (postpone until the May application).

Good luck.

Answer
I prefer to use sprays such as WEED-BE-GON. Before you can eradicate, however, you need to identify the weeds. Try google "weed gallery pictures" and look through the websites for pictures which may match your weed. Then visit a garden center and make sure the product is listed on the lable.

Make sure you buy weed products which are not also WEED-AND-GRASS killers.