A Different Approach to a Better Lawn

By Andrea Gillespie

Cashmans has partnered with Republic Mills’ president, Andrea Gillespie, to provide more information about Play-On, an all-natural fertilizer.

For homeowners, a healthy lawn isn’t just about how it looks. It’s where kids play, pets run, and families spend time. That’s one of the reasons we love talking about Play-ON All-Natural Fertilizer. It gives homeowners another option for lawn care using Corn Protein Meal (CPM), a plant-based product that feeds the lawn while helping manage weeds naturally.

Play-ON works differently than the traditional weed-and-feed products many homeowners are familiar with. Rather than killing existing weeds with an herbicide, CPM helps inhibit the development of new weed roots as seeds germinate. At the same time, it provides slow-release nitrogen that feeds established grass. Over time, the goal is simple: build a thicker, healthier lawn that leaves less room for weeds.

That distinction is important when customers ask us about dandelions, white clover, chickweed and other weeds already growing in their yard. Play-ON is not going to make those existing weeds disappear overnight. Instead, it is a longer-term approach. As the lawn becomes healthier and new weed establishment is reduced, homeowners can gradually see a change in both the amount of grass and the weed pressure.

We usually tell customers to think in terms of a lawn-care program rather than a single application. Results depend on the condition of the lawn, weather, weed density, and application timing. Some people notice improvement fairly quickly, while a thin or neglected lawn may take more time. Consistency matters. We would rather set realistic expectations and have someone pleasantly surprised than promise an instant transformation.

Application is simple. Play-ON is a granular product that can be applied with a typical lawn spreader. The amount needed depends on the square footage of the yard, so measuring the area first will help determine how much product to purchase. Timing is also important because of Play-ON’s pre-emergent action. Spring and fall applications fit well into most lawn-care programs. Check your local weather service website for ground temperature in your area to determine the best time to apply. Homeowners who are planting new grass seed need to allow new grass time to become established before applying CPM.

For areas that have been trampled or damaged, Play-ON can provide additional nutrients to support established grass, but fertilizer alone cannot correct every lawn problem. Compacted soil, heavy traffic, drainage, and bare areas that need reseeded may also need to be addressed. We view Play-ON as one part of building and maintaining a healthy lawn.

For customers with larger acreage or pastures, we offer Graze-ON All-Natural Fertilizer. It uses the same basic CPM concept but is designed and packaged with larger areas and pasture management in mind. Both Graze-On and Play-On are available for purchase at Cashmans Horse Equipment in Delaware, Ohio.

Our mill at Republic Mills Inc. has been continuously operating in northwest Ohio since 1935, and today we are a third-generation family-owned company. Relationships have always been an important part of how we do business. We appreciate retailers, like Cashmans, who take the time to learn about the products they carry and help customers find solutions that fit their needs. Supporting local businesses keeps those relationships, jobs, and dollars closer to home. For us, that matters. We want customers to know not only what is in the bag, but also the people and businesses standing behind it.