$100 on lawn maintenance every month?

We are spending $100 on lawn maintenance. Cutting and fertilizing. I know I can save $50 by mowing my own lawn. What should I do about the fertilizing part?
Can we do this ourselves? I know there is a lot if chemicals involved is it worth it? Any suggestion from DIYers out there?
  12 answers
  • 3po3 3po3 on May 02, 2012
    I don't use any chemicals on my lawn. Of course, it's not golf course-quality, but it's a lawn. I use corn gluten meal and I plan to aerate in the fall. If you want a nicer lawn and want to be a little more diligent about it, get this book: http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Lawn-Care-Manual-Low-Maintenance/dp/1580176496/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1336016190&sr=8-2 He has a good month-by-month guide to lawn care. It certainly should cost less than $50 a month most months. Also, it's kind of comforting to know you hire someone to mow the lawn. I often wonder how people like you get it all done in the same 24-hour day that I live. You seem to have a lot of projects and jobs going all the time.
  • Hi Steve, Thanks for responding. I'd love to spend less than 100 on the lawn but need to make sure HOA doesn't come after me. Another thing I learnt is to focus on the most important things in life. I'd rather spend an hour with my girls than mow the lawn. I am hanging in there Steve, it's been quite a challenge but I keep the focus. I'll check out the book for sure. Thanks for the link.
  • Terri J Terri J on May 03, 2012
    Yamini, I just got sprecticide that you hook up to a hose and will killl 250 kinds of weeds and covers 5000 sq. ft. Cost, inculding water - under $11.00. Guaranteed to last 6 months. I just used it, and will let you know results. Maybe you can use something like that and just have them mow. It could save you a little money, while still having time with your girls.
  • Terri, Thanks so much for the suggestion. What is this product called. I'd like to try it for sure. It will not only save me time but also money. Yay I love that!!!
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on May 03, 2012
    My "lawn" is actually a pine forest with wild flowers....ZERO maintenance other than the occasional chainsawing of a blown over tree now and then. There are some advantages to living in the mountains ;)
  • Project Style, LLC Project Style, LLC on May 03, 2012
    Yamini, check out Walter Reeves' website for compreheisive advice on products and timing for various types of lawns. I follow his suggestions religiously. Have tried lawn services in the past for the fertilizer/weed control, but have much better success doing it ourselves.
  • Yay! that gives me hope. Yes I will start following Walter and his advice on lawns.
  • Terri J Terri J on May 03, 2012
    Yamini, I mispelled it - Spectricide Weed Killler - got it at Lowes and am noticity alot of weeds starting to die this afternoon.
  • Terri J Terri J on May 05, 2012
    Yanini, a few days filled w/ lots of rain has gone by. Dandilions and many other weeds have died. No sign of new one's growing. However, there is one pest that doesn't appear to be dying yet. I was told to give it a couple of weeks to really hit the root system. If it doesn't die, then I am taking it to Lowe's with me. Over all, I would say a 90% success rate so far.
  • Kathy R Kathy R on May 06, 2012
    You only fertilize 2 times a year. If you get weed killer MAKE SURE its for LAWNS or all your grass will die. :)
  • Trixie63 Trixie63 on Jun 02, 2015
    My DH says no fertilizer no mow so we fertilize spring and fall and mow 3 inches high about once a week but not as much July and August. We also never water our lawn either.
  • DORLIS DORLIS on Jun 11, 2015
    If it were me, I would plant flowers, especially natives that take care of themsleves. Personally, I find nothing but green grass boring, no texture, color. But that is me. I like my bees, butterflies darting about the yard.