Fertilizer does not kill weeds directly.

But fertilization is still an important part of weed control because thick grass leaves less room for weeds to grow.

Thin lawns invite weeds. Bare spots, weak turf, and compacted areas give weeds a place to move in. When your grass becomes thicker and healthier, it can better compete against weeds.

That is why fertilization and weed control work best together.

Fertilization feeds the lawn. Weed control targets unwanted weeds. Together, they help create a cleaner, thicker, healthier lawn.

Fertilizer helps grass grow, but it will not magically remove weeds that are already growing in your lawn.

If your lawn has dandelions, clover, crabgrass, plantain, creeping Charlie, or other weeds, fertilization alone will not solve the whole problem.

That is why our lawn fertilization service is tied into a full 6-application lawn care program. The program includes fertilization and weed control so your lawn gets both pieces of the plan.

The goal is not just to feed the lawn.

The goal is to help the lawn improve while also reducing weed pressure throughout the season.

Our 6-application lawn care program is designed around the growing season in the Chicago suburbs.

Depending on the timing and condition of your lawn, the program may include:

• Early spring fertilizer
• Pre-emergent weed control
• Broadleaf weed control
• Seasonal lawn fertilization
• Summer lawn care treatments
• Fall fertilizer
• Late-season lawn health support

Each application has a purpose.

Some visits focus more on feeding the lawn. Others focus more on weed control. The best results come from doing the right thing at the right time.

One fertilizer application can help.

A lawn care program builds momentum.

Your lawn is constantly changing throughout the year. Weather changes. Soil temperatures change. Weed pressure changes. Growth rate changes. Moisture changes.

That is why one random application is not the same as a planned program.

With a 6-application lawn care program, your lawn gets consistent support throughout the season. That gives your grass a better chance to grow thicker, recover from stress, and compete against weeds.

The best time to start a lawn care program is early spring, when the lawn begins waking up.

That early-season timing is important because it allows the lawn to get support as growth begins. It is also when pre-emergent weed control is commonly applied to help prevent crabgrass before it becomes a bigger issue.

That said, there is no bad time to start improving your lawn.

• If you start in spring, the focus may be early feeding and weed prevention.
• If you start in summer, the focus may be maintaining color, controlling weeds, and managing stress.
• If you start in fall, the focus may be recovery, root growth, and preparing the lawn for next season.
• The plan changes depending on the time of year, but the goal stays the same: build a better lawn.