6 Bags Every Yard Should Have

Why You Need It: This combo product helps you fight weeds and feeds your lawn at the same time. Most varieties include herbicides that kill pesky weeds like dandelions mixed with fertilizers to help new grass grow. For an organic option, try a weed and feed made with corn gluten, which prevents weeds from germinating while also adding nitrogen to boost your lawn. Apply the product before weeds emerge in spring, following the bag’s instructions. Chris’ Pick: Scotts Turf Builder weed and feed, $53 for 43 pounds, acehardware.com

Why You Need It: This is plant food in its most basic form. Mix it into the soil in flower beds to rejuvenate weak plants or get new ones off to a strong start. Look for special blends like a bloom booster that helps plants grow lots of flowers, a mix that promotes root growth, and a high-nitrogen formula for lush leaves. Organic fertilizers are safest, especially for veggie plots, but no matter what kind you get, follow the guidelines on the bag to make sure you use enough. Chris’ Pick: Espoma Organic Plant-tone, $38 for 36 pounds, espoma.com for stores

Why You Need It: This is the familiar dark stuff under our feet, and, while it’s common, it’s also the most important building block in landscaping. Typically sold in 40-pound bags, plain topsoil is key for filling holes or leveling out bumps in your lawn. Its combination of minerals and organic content make it the perfect base to get things growing. Chris’ Pick: Earthgro topsoil, $1.50 for 40 pounds, scottsbrands.com for buying info

Why You Need It: A 50-50 mix of quality topsoil and compost, garden soil is a must if you’re setting up a new flower bed or a vegetable plot. Just spread a four-inch-thick layer over the existing soil before planting. You can also use garden soil to pep up established plants that look scraggly. Buy a bag with fertilizer already mixed in and you won’t need to worry about feeding your plants for the first few months. Chris’ Pick: Miracle-Gro Flower and Vegetable garden soil, $8 for 2 cubic feet, lowes.com