Jessica Lambert

When the sun starts to shine and the air loses its chill, it is easy to get the itch to wake up a yard in hopes of having the best looking lawn in the neighborhood. Knowing when and how to fertilize a lawn in the spring can be tricky. Over-fertilizing a lawn, or fertilizing it too soon, can cause more problems down the road. Whether you are establishing a new lawn or caring for grass that has seen better days, be sure to know the what, when, and how much when it comes to lawn care. Do I need to fertilize my yard? Soil tests are the most accurate way to determine if your yard needs fertilizer. Most yards in the midwest do not need fertilizer to grow. In fact, if applied too early, fertilizer can stunt root growth which will hurt grass growth later in the summer when we reach the drier months. In early spring, it is best to let roots establish first, then focus on grass growth. Without deep roots, grass becomes more susceptible to heat and drought, pests, and disease. Removing dead grass and leaves allows moisture to reach the roots which aids root growth. Fertilizer can assist grass in maintaining its health when applied at the right time. Late April through May is the ideal time to apply a slow release fertilizer, with the safest date being mid-May when the threat of frost has passed. Which type of fertilizer do I need? Established lawns need nitrogen and potassium for growth. Lawn fertilizer will generally come in a 4-0-2 or 3-0-2 formulation. The first number represents the percentage of nitrogen in the bag, the second number is the percentage of phosphorus and the third number is the percentage of potassium. Phosphorus should only be used on new lawns to help establish root growth. Established lawns have enough phosphorus in the soil and do not need additional phosphorus applied. Additional phosphorus will contribute to run-off which negatively affects the environment. In fact, the states listed below restrict or ban the application of phosphorus-containing fertilizers unless it will be used on a new lawn or a soil test proves a deficiency. States restricting or banning phosphorus-containing fertilizer application on lawns: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Virginia, Maryland, Maine, and Washington. Nitrogen is the most important nutrient for grass growth as it provides the energy for growth and helps grass maintain its bright green color. It also helps to recover from environmental stress and keep the lawn thick and lush. Yellow grass, thin growth, or grass that isn't growing is often a sign of low nitrogen. Potassium is key for water management in grass and also helps to prevent disease. Potassium is often available in adequate amounts in the soil naturally so a soil test will guide you in what you need. How much fertilizer do I need? The amount of fertilizer your yard needs directly correlates to the size of your yard. The saying "too much of a good thing is a bad thing" rings true when it comes to fertilizer. Over fertilizing not only wastes money, product,  and contributes to pollution, it can quickly kill the grass you have worked so hard to establish. An overabundance of nitrogen will burn your grass leaving you with a brown and dried lawn that will take time to recover. Before you can apply fertilizer in the correct amount you need to know the square footage of your yard. Measuring with a tape or laser is the most accurate, however Google maps can be helpful as well. Using Google maps on a desktop, find your address, go to "map tools," then "measure." Click points around your yard until you close the shape and Google will tell you the total area in square feet. While still an approximate number, this is much better than guessing. It is generally recommended that nitrogen be applied at a rate of one pound per 1,000 square feet for full sun lawns and about a half pound per 1,000 square feet for shade lawns. To easily calculate your needs, visit the Purdue Turf Fertilizer Calculator. Following these tips will help you get that golf course looking yard you desired, but think "rough" more than "green." Mowing your yard too short, less than three inches, opens it up to water loss, pests, disease, etc. Resist the urge to mow every time you see growth in order to maintain your "best yard in the neighborhood" designation.

Most real estate companies pick a side. They focus on city homes or on land. Very few truly understand both. At LandGuys, we bridge that gap and bring both worlds together. Our team helps people buy and sell rural homes and land with confidence, revealing each property’s story and value along the way. Every LandGuys broker and agent is a licensed REALTOR® trained to handle every step of the process, from pricing and financing to surveys, soil maps, and septic inspections. Our agents also undergo yearly training to stay current with new and improved processes, ensuring that clients benefit from the latest tools, marketing techniques, and compliance standards. Whether it is a home on acreage, a recreational property, or a working farm, our agents know how to bring listings to life and connect them with the right buyers. They are familiar with what buyers are looking for in homes and understand the unique considerations that come with rural living, from well and septic systems to access, zoning, and maintenance. In every state we serve, clients choose LandGuys because we understand the lifestyle and value that come with rural living. “Danny sold my house in as little as 20 days and got so much more than I could have imagined. He made the experience easy and I could not be happier with the outcome.” — Sarah, Iowa FEW COMPANIES BRIDGE BOTH WORLDS LIKE WE DO LandGuys combines the best of residential and rural real estate. Our agents help clients with homes on acreage, country homes, farmland, and recreational properties. As a result, we understand both sides of every transaction. Every Great Real Estate Agent Should Know What LandGuys Agents Also Bring MLS exposure through Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia, and Homes.com. Expanded land marketing through LandWatch, Lands of America, Land and Farm, and AcreValue. Buyer financing, pricing strategy, and marketing. Soil maps, tillable acres, habitat, and crop productivity valuation. Staging, photography, and property presentation. Drone footage, mapping, and showcasing topography and access. Inspections, appraisals, title coordination, and closing. Surveys, easements, zoning, well, and septic understanding. Neighborhood, community, and lifestyle insights. Land and wildlife management, recreational setup, and agricultural investment knowledge. Communication, negotiation, and client guidance. Real-world experience from backgrounds in farming, construction, and wildlife management. Many properties do not fit neatly into one category. For example, a property may include both a home and productive land. These are exactly the types of listings where our expertise shines. “We worked with Justin and Luke to sell our home on 45 acres. Their expertise in valuing both the home and the land made all the difference. They respected our goals and helped us achieve them. The property sold in five days.” — Stef, Wisconsin REACH THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE LandGuys is more than a brokerage. It is a connected network of agents working together across Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Kansas. Each day, we share listings, leads, and market insights. This collaboration gives our clients more exposure than smaller local offices or large, cookie-cutter corporate brokerages can provide. In addition, our website and social media network generate more than a million impressions each month. Through property videos, digital ads, drone footage, and agent features, our media consistently stands out and sells. Clients often say they feel like they have already toured a property before stepping foot on it, and that is exactly our goal. Furthermore, we tell each property’s story with care. Every photo, video, and description is crafted to show not only what the land looks like, but how it feels. That storytelling helps buyers connect emotionally and builds trust before they ever visit in person. “I could not be happier with my experience working with LandGuys. I listed my 60-acre property with a small cabin, and within three days we had a serious buyer at full asking price. Their marketing captured the property’s unique appeal perfectly.” — Adam, Illinois THE LANDGUYS DIFFERENCE Our strength comes from real-world experience. Many of our agents have backgrounds in septic systems, electrical work, home building, land management, investment, house flipping, rental properties, and even legal and title work. Because of this, we offer advice that goes far beyond standard real estate. We know the process from contract, inspections, and repairs all the way through closing, and we are committed to guiding clients through each step with clarity and care. This experience allows us to give clients insights that are both practical and trustworthy. We understand how land and homes are built, maintained, and valued because we have worked in those fields ourselves. Our clients can move forward with confidence knowing they are working with people who truly understand every layer of the process. We do not just list properties. Instead, we tell their stories. We help buyers see the value in every acre, every tree line, and every front porch view. “Andrew helped my husband and I list and sell our beautiful home. He did everything in a timely manner, handled everything and got our house sold in a week! Easy guy to talk to, lovely to work with and easy to get ahold of!” — Katie, Illinois THE BOTTOM LINE LandGuys is one of the few real estate companies that can truly say we are experts in both rural and residential real estate. Whether it is a home on acreage, a recreational property, or a family farm, we know how to showcase its value and connect it with the right buyer. We help people buy and sell rural homes and land with confidence, revealing each property’s story and value along the way. Talk to a LandGuys Agent Today Find the right partner for your next move at LandGuys.com.

What does it really mean to live with purpose? For Chase Burns, purpose ties deeply into faith, family, and the land he works each day. In this episode of Every Acre Tells a Story™, Chase invites viewers into his daily life. His family lives on a working homestead, where values are reflected in every chore, sunrise, and decision. Faith as a Foundation Chase lives with intention. For him, life is not just about landownership. It is about honoring God's purpose for his life and using the land to glorify that calling. "Living with purpose to me is living for God's purpose for my life. Being a person of faith, we have a guiding light, and how we use our land is just daily asking for what His will is and looking for opportunities to glorify Him." Each act of stewardship, from planting to tending animals, is part of his faith. He sees the land as a gift that requires action, care, and gratitude every day. The Homestead Life Homesteading, for the Burns family, is about more than rural living. In fact, it is a lifestyle rooted in connection. They care for animals, raise food, maintain an orchard, and pass these rhythms on to their children. "It's not just getting up to make your bed or brush your teeth. It's collecting eggs, feeding the horses, or moving hay for the cows. That teaches a lot of responsibility." These daily tasks are not simply chores. Instead, they are character-shaping experiences. The children are learning discipline, work ethic, and appreciation for where their food comes from. These values are passed down every morning and evening, through action and example. Life on the homestead follows the rhythm of the land. Each season brings new work and new lessons. Spring means preparing garden beds and helping calves take their first steps. Summer is filled with weeding, harvesting, and watching the orchard come alive. In fall, the family puts up food, splits wood, and finishes projects before the cold sets in. Winter slows things down, but there are still animals to care for and plans to make for the next growing season. For the Burns family, this is not about doing things the easy way. They intentionally choose a lifestyle that requires them to be hands-on and present. Whether they are making homemade jelly, stacking hay, or gathering eggs before school, every task builds a sense of ownership and pride in their children. Their home is not just where they live. It is where they grow, work, and belong together. Building Community Through the Mercantile In addition to their farm life, Chase and his wife, Jackie, restored a 112-year-old building in Viola, Illinois. Their goal was to create a small-town mercantile filled with local goods and a sense of connection. "Jackie had this idea of a sort of country store selling locally sourced products...beef, honey, chicken, eggs, produce. It just kept growing. We became that somebody who brought it to life." Today, Prairie Roads Mercantile features many items that come directly from their farm. For example, the beef is raised just eight miles down the road. The eggs are often collected that morning, and the honey is bottled from a nearby beekeeper. Customers can ask where an item came from and hear, "This came from our place this morning." The Mercantile was never just a business. Instead, it became a space where neighbors reconnect, producers feel valued, and children learn that what they grow has meaning. The building may be old, but its mission feels entirely new, reminding people that local food and community still matter. A Legacy That Lasts Chase grew up exploring the woods, running wild with a BB gun, and playing in creeks. He harvested his first deer on his grandmother’s farm. Now, he sees that same joy in his sons as they build forts, tend animals, and create memories outdoors. "Just as dear to me as my first deer is the memory of both of my boys harvesting their first deer here on this farm. It's a bond between people and the land that is hard to explain if you have not experienced it." This connection, Chase says, is what he hopes his children carry forward. Whether they own land someday or not, he wants them to value care, stewardship, and long-term vision. "It is not ours, it is just our turn. While you are a landowner, you are the caretaker. You are the person who is going to leave it better than you found it." That belief guides not just how they farm. It also shapes how they raise their kids, run a business, and build a legacy rooted in place and purpose. Final Thoughts Living with purpose on the land is not about perfection. Rather, it is about alignment. It is about waking up each day with clarity and a desire to leave things better than you found them. Chase Burns reminds us that the land tells a story, if we are willing to listen. And often, it tells us a little more about who we are in the process.