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Professional Duluth, GA

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$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?

10 Comments

Steve G Fort Collins, CO

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-Manu... ...»

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.

on May 02, 2012 · Like 2
Yamini LEED AP at Urbanmo... Duluth, GA

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.

on May 03, 2012 · Like 0
Terri J York, PA

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.

on May 03, 2012 · Like 1
Yamini LEED AP at Urbanmo... Duluth, GA

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!!!

on May 03, 2012 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

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 ;)

on May 03, 2012 · Like 1
Project Style, LLC Kennesaw, GA

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.

on May 03, 2012 · Like 2
Yamini LEED AP at Urbanmo... Duluth, GA

Yay! that gives me hope. Yes I will start following Walter and his advice on lawns.

on May 03, 2012 · Like 1
Terri J York, PA

Yamini, I mispelled it - Spectricide Weed Killler - got it at Lowes and am noticity alot of weeds starting to die this afternoon.

on May 03, 2012 · Like 1
Terri J York, PA

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.

on May 05, 2012 · Like 1
Kathy R Rocky Point, NC

You only fertilize 2 times a year. If you get weed killer MAKE SURE its for LAWNS or all your grass will die. :)

on May 06, 2012 · Like 0