Struggling to keep your lawn looking its best? It’s a common battle, fighting weeds and striving for healthy grass. Fortunately, achieving a beautiful lawn doesn’t have to be a constant struggle. Ace Hardware recommends the Scotts® 4-Step® Lawn Care Program, a straightforward annual plan designed to give you a vibrant, weed-free lawn. Let’s break down how and when to apply each step to ensure your lawn thrives throughout the seasons, from spring awakening to winter dormancy.
Mastering the Scotts® 4-Step® for a Perfect Lawn
The Scotts® 4-Step® program simplifies lawn care by dividing it into four key applications throughout the year. Each step is formulated to address the specific needs of your lawn during that season, providing targeted feeding and weed control. Here’s your guide to timing and applying each step for optimal results.
Step® 1 – Crabgrass Preventer Plus Lawn Food:
Kickstart your lawn care in early spring with Step® 1. Apply this between February and April when temperatures are still cool, ideally below 80°F. This crucial first step prevents crabgrass from germinating, stopping this common weed before it even starts. Simultaneously, it provides essential nutrients to your lawn, helping it to green up after the winter months.
- For season-long lawn health, consider purchasing all four steps of the program at once, ensuring you are prepared for each application window.
- Available in sizes to cover either 5,000 sq. ft. or 15,000 sq. ft., choose the bag size that best suits your lawn.
- Aim to apply Step® 1 on or before Easter to get ahead of crabgrass germination.
- Enhance your soil quality right at the start of the growing season by applying Scotts® Foundation Soil Improver around the same time as your Step® 1 application. This will create a better root environment for your grass.
Step 2® – Weed Control Plus Lawn Food:
Transition into late spring with Step® 2, applying it between April and June. It’s important to wait 4-6 weeks after your Step® 1 application to ensure the treatments work effectively and to avoid overlapping applications. Step® 2 is designed to tackle existing broadleaf weeds like dandelions while continuing to feed your lawn. This step promotes thick, green turf growth from the roots up, strengthening your lawn against weeds and summer stress.
- Time your Step® 2 application around Memorial Day for easy scheduling.
- Apply on a calm day to prevent drift, and ensure your lawn is damp to help the granules adhere to weed leaves. Check the forecast to ensure no rain is expected for at least 24 hours after application to allow the weed control to be fully effective.
Step® 3 – Lawn Food With 2% Iron:
Give your lawn a vital mid-season boost with Step® 3 during the summer months, between June and August. This application feeds and strengthens your lawn, making it more resilient to the stresses of summer heat and potential drought conditions. The added iron helps to deepen the green color of your lawn, enhancing its visual appeal.
- Schedule your Step® 3 application around Independence Day as a helpful reminder.
- If rainfall isn’t anticipated, water your lawn immediately after applying Step® 3. Watering helps to activate the fertilizer and move it into the soil.
- For any persistent weeds that appear, spot treat them as needed throughout the summer to maintain a clean, healthy lawn.
Step® 4 – Fall Lawn Food: .jpg)
Prepare your lawn for winter and set it up for a strong spring with Step® 4. Apply this final step 4 to 6 weeks after Step® 3, ideally between August and November. Step® 4 provides a late-season feeding that greens up your lawn as fall approaches and, more importantly, strengthens the root system to help it survive the winter and emerge stronger and greener next spring.
- Plan to apply Step® 4 from Labor Day until mid-October, taking advantage of the cooler fall temperatures.
- Watering in Step® 4 after application is recommended to speed up greening and ensure the nutrients reach the roots before winter dormancy sets in.
By following the Scotts® 4-Step® Lawn Care Program available at Ace Hardware, you can achieve a healthy, vibrant, and weed-free lawn throughout the year. Each step is designed to work in harmony with the seasons, providing your lawn with exactly what it needs, when it needs it. Visit your local Ace Hardware to purchase the Scotts® 4-Step® program and get personalized advice for your lawn care needs.
