We've only had this lawn for 3 years and being the lawn newbie that I am, I never put down any winterizer in the previous years. We laid the KBG sod 3 years ago and growth was okay in the last 2 years. However, it's in really bad shape this year with dead patches and weeds (which I'm addressing in another post) all over and the grass is just not growing at all. I've only mowed twice this year with the mower set at 2.5" and the grass doesn't even look even. Is slow/non-existent growth a sign of nutrient deficiency? Is it because of the lack of winterizer?

I've put down some Scott's Weed'n Feed in May and Scott's Natural Lawn Feed in June/July and been watering twice a week (approximately an inch of water each time) and the grass is staying green but just not showing any growth. The soil in the worst areas seems hard about 2 inches down so I'm going to try the baby shampoo next. The back of the yard seems better and slowing a bit with much softer soil. Should I just keep using the Natural Lawn Feed fertilizer to add organic content to the soil?

Thank you
:(

One inch is good. How do you know you are putting out 1 inch of water when you irrigate? Have you tested with tuna or cat food cans? Are you sure the water goes out evenly? Does it hit the brown areas with as much water as the green?

Don't write off the dead looking patches yet. They might be dormant.

Yes you have a nutrient deficiency. Inasmuch as a winterizer provides nutrients, then yes, part of the problem is a lack of good food in the soil. Weed N Feed is generally a waste of money. If you want to fertilize and get rid of weeds, use separate fertilizer and herbicide products. Use the fertilizer first and two weeks later, use a spray type product like Weed-B-Gone to spot spray individual weeds. That helps keep the microbes going in the places where you did not apply. The Scott's Natural is a great product. Finally good news out of Scotts. Despite what their label says, you can apply that stuff every day of the year and your soil and lawn will love you. If you can afford it, I would apply that monthly while the lawn improves. I believe you are not getting enough moisture to green it up. The organic fertilizer will help it out of the slump once it comes back to life with the water.