A healthy lawn doesn’t happen by accident—and it doesn’t require constant treatments either. With a thoughtful, seasonal approach, your turf can thrive with just three well-timed granular applications a year.
As the University of Wisconsin recommends, a nearly perfect lawn can be achieved with just three carefully timed fertilizations and weed controls. When turfgrass is maintained at about three inches tall, it forms a thick, living carpet that naturally resists weeds, tolerates drought, and protects against erosion and runoff. It’s a simple, effective formula—and it works.
At Tim Andrews Horticulturist, our three-part lawn program follows these proven principles. While many companies offer 6 to 10 applications per season, we believe that more isn’t always better. In fact, overapplication can disrupt soil health, contribute to chemical runoff, and push excessive top growth that weakens the lawn over time.
We take a different approach—minimal, well-timed care that supports a truly healthy, resilient lawn.
Early Spring Application: Crabgrass Preventer and Fertilizer
The season starts with a decisive step: stopping weeds before they begin. This application uses a granular pre-emergent herbicide to target crabgrass and other unwanted annuals before they have a chance to germinate, paired with a nutrient-rich granular fertilizer.
This combination prevents invasive seeds from establishing while encouraging your existing turf to green up and fill in quickly.
Note: If you’re planning to seed in spring, we adjust the formula—using a granular fertilizer without herbicide to give new grass the best chance to thrive.
Late Spring / Early Summer Application: Broadleaf Control and Fertilizer
Once the weather warms and last year’s weeds reemerge, they become vulnerable. This second application provides broadleaf weed control using a granular herbicide alongside a slow-release granular fertilizer that feeds the turf through early summer.
We carefully select the granular herbicide based on your lawn’s specific needs to reduce chemical exposure while effectively targeting weeds.
This midseason application is all about resilience: helping your lawn hold its own through the heat and continue looking its best.
Fall Application: Fertilizer (and Broadleaf Control if Needed)
As temperatures drop in September and October, the lawn’s energy shifts below ground. This is when we apply a deep-feeding granular fertilizer to encourage root growth, strengthen the turf, and improve winter hardiness.
If broadleaf weeds are still present, we may include a selective granular weed control at this time, ensuring the turf enters dormancy clean and well-fed.
Fall applications support a thicker lawn, fewer spring weeds, and a head start on next year’s growing season.
Extras—Only If Needed
Every lawn is a little different—and so is every season. Our experienced applicators keep a close eye out for issues like grubs, fungal disease, or persistent weed pressure. When problems arise, we’ll recommend targeted solutions. But we never apply more than your lawn truly needs.
Why Less Can Be More
Some companies make their business model around frequent, repeated treatments—six, eight, even ten applications a year. But that kind of over-application often does more harm than good: pushing fast top growth, increasing chemical exposure, and weakening the lawn’s natural resilience.
We believe in a different model: carefully timed, ecologically responsible lawn care that nurtures long-term health rather than chasing short-term appearances.
Our three-part program is rooted in science, aligned with Wisconsin’s recommendations, and tailored to your lawn—not a marketing schedule.
A Lawn That Works With Nature
You don’t need constant treatments to get a beautiful lawn. You need timing, balance, and attention to detail. Our three-part lawn care program is included in our Basic Maintenance Package or available on its own.
Ready to care for your lawn in a way that’s healthy, effective, and environmentally sound? We’re here to help.