BACKGROUND
I have a 1/2 acre lot in central Wisconsin, with about 9K sq. ft. of lawn. The lawn is a local seed mix consisting of 25% Rye, 25% Fescue and 50% Blue. Our house was built in the summer of 2010 and the lawn was seeded in October 2010. In the Spring of 2011 we applied a synthetic fertilizer from the coop that provided our lawn seed. That summer we had lawn rust and hired a local service who did multiple applications of a synthetic fertilizer. I started Scott's 4-Step program in 2012 (completing the first two steps) before it was pointed out to me I was burning my lawn (I am a newbie). I didn't do anything for the remainder of 2012.
The soil is clay and, as you would expect with a builder, minimal topsoil. There is a lot of limestone in the area.
THE SOIL TEST
Last month I sent in a soil sample to UW.
CURRENT PLAN
Immediately after taking the soil sample I started Espoma's 4-step organic lawn food program and applied step 1 (the CGM). I have also purchased a Fiskar Stay Sharp Max Reel mower and will be raising my cutting height to 3.5" and leaving the clippings on the lawn (previously I was using a service with a riding mower). I have not found an effective way of watering my entire lawn and our local water is very expensive, so I am relying on Mother Nature for that.
The lawn is green (though not as green as my neighbors, all of whom built before I did) and has a few thin spots. I am willing to put some work into it and would like to stay with natural/organic products (I have three young children).
Thanks for any input!
