Wondering When to Fertilize the Lawn? Here’s Our Guide
This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive commission for purchases made through these links. Price at time of publish date may change.
A lush lawn can make your home look fresh and inviting, but that beautiful greenery does much more than simply up your home’s curb appeal. Healthy lawns help improve air quality by keeping dirt and particulates on the ground where they should be, cool down your area in the heat, lower noise pollution, and reduce runoff and erosion. However, keeping them looking their best doesn’t happen without some thoughtful attention from you, the homeowner, in the form of lawn fertilizer.
Before you begin your search for the right fertilizer for you, we’re here to answer your most pressing questions about proper grass maintenance. Keep reading for our advice about when to fertilize a lawn, what types of fertilizer to use, and how to choose the best lawn fertilizer to fit your needs. We also offer recommendations for our top picks, whether you’re searching for organic lawn fertilizer, spring lawn fertilizer, or fall lawn fertilizer.
When should I fertilize the lawn? Is there a best month?
The best time to fertilize a lawn depends on whether you have warm-season or cool-season grass. The most common types of warm-season grasses include bahia grass, bermuda grass, centipede grass, St. Augustine grass, and zoysia grass. For a lush lawn, fertilize warm-season grasses in late spring and through the summer into early fall.
Cool-season grasses, like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, fine fescue, and tall fescue, thrive in cooler climates. If you’re caring for a cool-season lawn, the best time to fertilize is in early spring and early fall right around the first frost, which varies depending on where you live.
What are the best fall fertilizers and tips?
While hot summer days and cold winter nights can stress your grass, more moderate fall temperatures offer your flora a chance to regain strength and vibrancy. That’s why fall is the perfect time to give your lawn some love.
Fall lawn fertilizers are formulated to prep plants to survive cold winters. Look for a fertilizer that’s potassium-rich to strengthen roots, and apply it in the morning; the dew will help your plants absorb all the nutrients they need. These highly rated picks should get you off to a strong start.
Shop the Best Fall Fertilizers
Should I consider spring fertilizer, too?
Yes! Fertilizing in the spring helps jumpstart growth after the cold weather has passed. We’ve done the research and have recommendations for spring lawn fertilizer, too.
Shop the Best Spring Fertilizers
Do I need to fertilize my lawn in the summer and winter?
There’s no need to fertilize your lawn in the winter, since grass is typically dormant at that time of year. Warm-season grasses can usually benefit from a mid-summer application, while cool-season grasses don’t need another round of fertilizer until the fall.
Is it better to fertilize grass before or after rain?
Unless the weather calls for a downpour, which can cause runoff, it’s better to fertilize before it rains. The water will help your lawn absorb the fertilizer.
What should I know about organic lawn fertilizer? What are the advantages and disadvantages?
Organic lawn fertilizer balances the soil ecosystem naturally, with no foreign chemicals or leftover residue from artificial compounds that are often found in conventional fertilizers. They also deliver nutrients to the grass slowly, which avoids shocking the plant with a dose of fertilizer that’s too strong.
Like most organic products, organic fertilizer is typically more expensive than conventional options. It can also take longer to show results, so if you are looking for rapid growth, organic fertilizer isn’t the best choice. But if you’re ok with being patient and would prefer the organic route, take a look at our organic fertilizer recommendations below.
Shop the Best Organic Fertilizers
Milorganite Organic Slow-Release Nitrogen Lawn and Garden Dry Lawn Fertilizer
Is it worth it to use a lawn fertilizer service?
Hiring an expert saves you time, effort, and guesswork. If you can afford it, a professional lawn fertilizer service is a fantastic, hands-off way to ensure that your lawn thrives while you’re free to focus on other things. The price will depend on factors like where you live and the size of your lawn, but generally speaking the cost usually doesn’t surpass a few hundred dollars.
Amy Gordon
Amy Gordon is a freelance writer and editor who splits her time between New York, NY and Vieques, PR. When she’s not at her desk, you’ll probably find her on a plane with her nose in a book, in the Caribbean snorkeling through coral reefs, or on the couch watching true crime TV. Learn more and read her work at www.amygordonmedia.com.
⚖️ How We Choose What to Recommend
