Starter Fertilizer for New Grass: What Most Homeowners Get Wrong
Starter fertilizer can jumpstart new grass, but using it wrong wastes money or breaks the law. Here’s what to know before you spread.
6 min read
Lawn Care
Practical answers for seeding, feeding, watering, and weed control. Each guide links to the calculator that sizes the job for your lawn.
18 guides
Start with the numbers
Work out quantities and costs before you read further.
Grass Seed Calculator
Seeding rates differ by species by a factor of twenty, bermudagrass wants 1 lb per 1,000 sq ft, perennial ryegrass wants 8. Pick your grass and whether you're starting fresh or overseeding.
OpenFertilizer Calculator
Turf guidance is written in pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft, but fertilizer is sold as a percentage analysis. This converts between them for any bag you have, enter the three numbers on the front.
OpenLawn Area Calculator
Almost every other lawn number depends on this one. Break your yard into simple shapes, subtract the parts that aren't grass, and get a square footage you can use for seed, fertilizer, and quotes.
OpenLawn Care guides
How to Clean Up Leaves Without Wrecking Your Lawn
Mulch-mowing leaves is usually best, but thick layers need removal. Here’s how to clean up leaves the right way for your lawn and climate.
7 min read
Corn Gluten Meal for Lawns: Honest Results, Rates, and When to Skip It
Corn gluten meal offers some weed suppression and a hefty nitrogen boost, but it’s pricey, inconsistent, and not for every lawn. Here’s what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid wasting your money.
7 min read
DIY Hydroseeding: What Actually Works and Where People Go Wrong
Hydroseeding sprays a slurry of seed, mulch, and fertilizer onto bare soil. It’s great for slopes and big bare spots, but DIY kits have limits. Here’s what to know before you buy or rent.
7 min read
What Fertilizer Numbers Really Mean (NPK and Lawn Fertilizer Math)
Wondering what those fertilizer numbers mean? Here’s how to read NPK ratios, why phosphorus is often zero, and how to figure out the right amount for your grass.
7 min read
Gas Leaf Blower Bans: The Rules, the Map, and Your Options
Gas leaf blower bans are spreading fast. Here’s how to check your local rules, what alternatives work, and the mistakes that get homeowners fined.
7 min read
Topdressing Your Lawn: Real Advice for Healthier, Smoother Grass
Topdressing means spreading a thin layer of compost or soil over your lawn to fix bumps, improve soil, and help grass grow. The trick is never to bury the grass.
6 min read
How Often Should You Overseed a Lawn?
Overseeding isn’t a yearly chore for everyone. Here’s how to decide if, when, and how much to overseed,plus the steps that actually matter.
7 min read
New Sod Care: Watering, Mowing, and Fertilizing Without Wasting Money
New sod is thirsty and fragile. Here’s the watering schedule, mowing timing, and fertilizing tips that actually work in U.S. lawns.
7 min read
Crabgrass Killer: What Actually Works (and What Doesn’t)
Crabgrass keeps coming back because most folks miss the timing or use the wrong product. Here’s how to kill crabgrass, prevent it, and avoid wasted effort.
7 min read
How to Actually Get Rid of Dandelions (Not Just the Flowers)
Dandelion taproots make them stubborn. Here’s how to remove or kill dandelions so they don’t return, plus when to act and when to just let them be.
6 min read
Homemade Weed Killer: Real-World Results, Risks, and Recipes
Homemade weed killers like vinegar and salt can zap weeds in cracks, but they’re risky for soil and useless on deep roots. Here’s what works, what fails, and safer options for your lawn.
7 min read
How to Know If Your Grass Seed Is Still Worth Using
Grass seed loses its punch with time and poor storage. Here’s how to check if your old seed will still sprout, what the label really means, and when to just buy fresh.
7 min read
Liquid Aeration vs Core Aeration: Straight Answers for Real Lawns
Liquid aeration and core aeration aren’t the same. Here’s what each does, where they work, and how to tell which will actually help your lawn.
6 min read
Pacific Northwest Lawn Care: What to Do, When, and Why
Here’s how to actually keep a lawn alive and healthy in the Pacific Northwest, from moss battles to the best time to overseed and water.
6 min read
Power Rake vs Dethatching: Plain Advice for Real Lawns
Most lawns don't need power raking or dethatching. Here's how to check your thatch and pick the right fix if you do.
7 min read
Slow Release vs Quick Release Fertilizer: What Actually Matters for Your Lawn
Slow release fertilizer feeds your lawn for weeks with less risk. Quick release acts fast but can burn and fades quickly. Here’s how to choose and apply the right one.
7 min read
Types of Sprinklers: What Works, What Doesn’t, and Why
Choosing a sprinkler isn’t about the fanciest box,it's matching precipitation rate and coverage to your lawn and soil. Here’s how to get it right.
7 min read