Natural fertilizer and weed killers?

We have gotten rid of our lawn service and it is now up to us to maintain our lawn and yard. Can anyone recommend a natural fertilizer for the lawn and yard plants? A weed killer would be great too, but that may be hoping for a little too much! My husband is, passionate (thats as good a word as any) about having green lawn. I'd love to be able to buy it locally as opposed to ordering it from somewhere else.

 

In the Spring we put down Corn Gluten Meal (CGM) on our lawn as a fertilizer and crabgrass pre-emergent. Studies have shown it's usefulness in preventing seeds from germinating which is how it helps prevent crabgrass. You can't use it if you're planning on over seeding with grass seed because it will prevent its germination as well. It's especially good for lawns that have applied compost because it feeds the beneficial microbes that are working to keep the grass green and healthy.

If we are putting down grass seed we'll apply alfalfa meal which is supposed to be good for new growth. Soybean meal is good for nitrogen.

You can get alfalfa and soybean meals at the Loudoun Mill right off of Route 7. We've had to go to Frederick to get our CGM.

 

We use Naturalawn for our lawn service, but they also sell products directly. We like them because the products are (generally) safer for the kids.

http://www.nl-amer.com/catalog/categories/LawnFertilizers_115.aspx