Dambly's Garden Center

A Simple, Seasonal Lawn Care Program for Year-Round Results

A healthy, vibrant lawn doesn’t happen by accident — it happens with the right care at the right time.

Dambly’s seasonal lawn care program takes the guesswork out of feeding, protecting, and strengthening your lawn throughout the year. Each step is thoughtfully timed to work with our New Jersey growing cycles, helping you prevent weeds, improve soil health, and keep your lawn looking its best from spring green-up through fall and beyond.

Dambly's Preferred 4-step Programs

Depending on your brand preference — Greenview, Jonathan Green, Scotts or Espoma Organics — each program consists of four bags that cover applications for early spring, late spring, summer, and fall. Each bag is applied separately in each season, delivering the proper slow release nutrients and microbes.

Greenview Logo

4-step lawn care program for
5,000 & 15,000 Sq. Ft. applications

Get Complete Insect Killer for FREE with full program purchase!

Jonathan Green logo

4-step lawn care program for
5,000 & 15,000 Sq. Ft. applications

Seeding program available.

Scotts logo

4-step lawn care program for
5,000 & 15,000 Sq. Ft. applications

Get GrubEx for FREE with full program purchase!

Espoma Organic logo

4-step lawn care program for
5,000 Sq. Ft. applications

A kid- and pet-friendly lawn program.
*Additional crabgrass prevention & feeding fertilizer available.

4-STEP SEASONAL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

By following this step-by-step program, you’ll support strong roots, thicker turf, and better color—while reducing common problems like crabgrass, dandelions, and summer stress. Whether you’re maintaining an established lawn or working toward better results year after year, Dambly’s lawn care program provides a proven, practical path to a greener, healthier lawn all season long.

step one
early spring

Crabgrass Preventative & LIME

Build a strong foundation for a healthier lawn.

Step 1 is all about prevention and soil health. Applying crabgrass preventer early in the season stops weeds before they start, while lime helps balance soil pH so grass can better absorb nutrients all season long.

When to Apply

  • Mid-March through mid-April
  • A reliable natural indicator is when yellow forsythia is in bloom
  • Soil temperature—not calendar date—is key

How to Apply

  • Apply lime before or at the same time as crabgras preventative. More info on liming.
  • Do not mix products in the spreader
  • Apply each product separately and evenly
  • Water in thoroughly, or allow rainfall to activate

Important Notes

  • Do not seed for three months after application
  • Early timing is critical for effective crabgrass control
  • If you prefer/need to seed in the Spring, we recommend Scotts Step One for Seeding. 

step two
late spring

Weed Killer

Knock out broadleaf weeds while they’re actively growing.

Step 2 targets common lawn weeds like dandelions and clover. Timing and application conditions matter more with this step than any other, so following directions closely ensures the best results.

When to Apply

  • About five weeks after Step 1
  • Typically mid-April through late May
  • Waiting longer allows soil and weeds to warm up, improving effectiveness

Before Application

  • Do not mow for at least one week beforehand
  • Weeds should be visible and actively growing
  • Spot-treat small weed patches with liquid weed killer if needed
  • If your lawn is heavily infested, it is fine to apply Step 2 broadly

How to Apply

  • Apply to a wet or dewy lawn so granules stick to the leaves
  • Do not water in
  • No rain or irrigation for 48 hours after application

Important Notes

  • This is a topical weed killer—watering it into the soil will reduce effectiveness
  • Do not seed for eight weeks after application

step three
summer

Green Up

Boost color and vitality all summer long.

Step 3 focuses purely on improving color and vigor. It feeds your lawn at the right time to maintain a rich green appearance without pushing excessive growth.

When to Apply

  • Last week of June through the first week of July
  • Never apply when temperatures exceed 90°F

How to Apply

  • Apply evenly across the lawn
  • Water in thoroughly, or allow rainfall to do the work

Important Notes

  • This step is for greening, not weed control
  • Avoid heat stress by applying during cooler periods of the day

step four
fall

Winter Prep & Lime

Strengthen roots now for a better lawn next spring.

This final step prepares your lawn for winter dormancy and sets the stage for strong spring growth. Fall fertilization supports root development, while lime improves long-term soil health.

When to Apply

  • Anytime from September through November

How to Apply

  • Apply lime before or at the same time as Step 4
  • Do not mix products in the spreader
  • Apply each product separately and evenly
  • Water in thoroughly, or allow rainfall to activate

If Seeding in the Fall

  • Seed in early September using starter fertilizer and lime
  • Apply Step 4 six to eight weeks later for best results