Question
Hello, I wrote to you a while back for advice in helping my elder father improve his lawn.I greatly appreciate your time and advice you dispenced. Unfortunatly the E-mail was erased before I could act upon it. The lawn is in Kingston N.Y (Zip 12401) this is half way between Albany and New York city or "upstate n.y". The lawn was plagued in 2003 by large areas of crab grass (broad leaf grass,brightish green in color) he also says there are grubs present. The lawn has a fair amount of trees and shrubbery and dirt of clay (which i do remember you saying was not that bad a thing) If you could repeat the advice previously given it would be greatly appreciated,sorry for the trouble and thank you.     
    Joe

Answer
Joe,
apply a fertilizer w/pre-emergent herbicide (e.g. crabgrass preventer) now. Such as Scott's Turfbuilder with Halts. Apply to a dry lawn and water in immediately with plenty of water to activate the herbicide.

Apply a "grubicide" (e.g. insecticide for grubs) in early May and again in mid July. Try Scott's Grub-Ex.

In his areas, fertilize in late May, early September, and late October. Do not fertilize during hot summer months. Except for applying fertilizer w/pre-emergent herbicide this spring, normally you should not fertilize too early in spring (but this time it is ok to combat crabgrass).

Mow grass high and mow frequently. Try to mow at least 2.5-3.5" tall (after a cutting) and recycle clippings to the lawn.

If you water manually, water infrequently, but deeply, such as once per week for 2 hours rather than 15 minutes daily.

To establish new grass, loosen the top of the soil with a rake (or rent a roto tiller). Then rake smooth and sow seeds. Do this in May or September. Do not sow seeds when you treat crabgrass (the herbicide will prevent grass AND weed seeds from germinating). Instead sow grass seeds in September if you treat crabgrass now.

Once seeds are sown you must water frequently and shallowly (such as daily for 2-3 weeks) until grass sprouts. Then gradually reduce watering pattern to infrequently and deeply (as explained above). The newly seeded grass must be kept consistently moist during germination period which is reason for having to water daily. September is an excellent time to reseed.

Good luck.