Getting Started

[i-hollis]

Guys / Gals,

Firstly, I'm new, not a professional, have no commercial desires but I am passionate about my lawn and garden. I have a decent sized lawn and currently pay a guy to treat it at certain times and seasons. I am keen to understand the science better and would take more satisfaction from actually doing it myself. I attend to the lawn regularly in terms of scarifying it, removing weeds and re-seeding patches where my dog or other animals have taken a wee. What I would like to do is source a general weed and feed type product but one that the professionals use. I would also like to know how best to treat the patches caused by my dog.

I'm in the infancy I agree but would really appreciate a few seconds of professional advice.

Many thanks

Ian

[JDUtah]

Keep your professional... in reality he will be able to do it cheaper.

If you MUST (for whatever reason) your first step is to get a pesticide applicators license. See your local extension office for that.

and secondly... post in the homeowner forum! :)

[mngrassguy]

Welcome to Lawnsite Ian!!! First, your posting in the wrong area. There is a "homeowner" area where this belongs. I'm glad to hear you are "passionate about my lawn and garden" as many of us here are the same way.

Next, We would need a lot more info to help you. For example, we have no clue where you are. Alaska, Arizona or Florida? Asia? france?

To answer your question about what "weed 'n Feed" a Pro would use....none. Very few Pro's use weed n feed products because they just plain don't work well at killing weeds. Granular fertilizer and liquid weed control is the only way to go.

[Newt*]

Hi Ian,

I'm not a pro, just a long time gardener with a passion for pets, gardening and the environment, so here's info on what you can do for the lawn burn bare spots from the pets.
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1645&aid=1493

Newt

[Kiril]

Find a good source of compost! Compost does a soil good!

[i-hollis]

Firstly, my apologies for posting my thread in the wrong place and thanks for the guys moving it to the homeowner section. Secondly thanks for the constructive replies.

To answer some questions, I am based in Derbyshire in the UK and have quickly realised this site seems very US centric - is this the case and if so, are there many UK guys using the site regualrly ? If not, could anyone recommend a similar forum in the UK ?

In terms of products, what would be a good granular fertilizer to use ? This is the sort of stuff my pro uses but would like to source direct. Similarly the same applies for the liquid weedkiller also ?

Cheers for the help to date mngrassy and newt.