When Should You Fertilize Your Lawn?
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Lawn fertilizer is like food for your grass, providing it with the nutrients it needs to grow and maintain its healthy, green glow. Each fertilizer uses a unique combination of nutrients, though most include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These ingredients help create a vibrant, green lawn that resists weeds like crabgrass while building a better growing environment.
While it’s important to fertilize your lawn, it’s even more critical to fertilize at the right times. Every grass type is different and your local climate should influence when you fertilize your lawn. This guide outlines the best time to fertilize your lawn, how often you should do so, and the factors that impact growth.
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What Is the Best Time To Fertilize a Lawn?
The right time to fertilize your lawn depends on climate and grass type. Much of the U.S. has either cool-season or warm-season grass, with some areas combining the two types for a more versatile lawn. It’s important to identify your grass type and plan your lawn care schedule around its needs. Below is a quick overview of which seasons are best for fertilization based on your lawn type.
Spring
Early spring is a great time to give your cool-season grasses a bit of a boost before going into the warmer months. This treatment should go down with a spreader before temperatures start to peak and the grass goes dormant. Cool-season grasses such as perennial ryegrass, fine fescue, tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and other turfgrasses need a small amount of nitrogen-rich fertilizer to get them through summer.
If you have warm-season grass such as centipede grass, St. Augustine grass, and zoysia grass, you’ll also want to fertilize your lawn in late spring or early summer before high temperatures roll in. This helps the grass fill out and gain strength during its peak growing period.
Summer
As mentioned, warm-season grasses can be fertilized in early summer before the onset of high temperatures. Additionally, a second round of fertilizer should be applied in late summer as the heat starts to dissipate, preparing it for the cooler months ahead. Specialized slow-release granular fertilizers can be used to sustain your warm-season grass throughout the season without requiring a reapplication.
Fall
While a spring application is important for cool-season grasses, a heavy fall application is also critical to promote healthy lawn growth during peak months. Additionally, a fall fertilizer helps other grass types recover from the draining summer heat, repairing any brown spots in your lawn.
Winter
Most grasses go dormant during the winter, making fertilizer ineffective. However, some parts of the U.S. have mild winters that allow warm-season grasses to break dormancy in late winter. You can fertilize your grass to give it recovery nutrients from its winter dormancy. You’ll know it’s time if daily temperatures persist in the 70s.
How Often Should You Fertilize Your Lawn?
Just like the time of year, the frequency with which you fertilize depends on your climate and the type of grass you have. You’ll generally want to fertilize your grass during its peak growing season, which is during the fall for cool-season grasses and spring for warm-season grasses.
While one application may be enough, follow the instructions listed on your specific fertilizer for more detailed information. Some fertilizers recommend an application every eight weeks while others suggest just a few times per season.
- Regardless of your application preference, it’s important to avoid overfertilizing, which can damage your grass’ root system and lead to poor drainage.
How Does Weather Impact Fertilizer Application?
No matter which type of fertilizer you use, don’t apply it during periods of drought or heavy rainfall. Many fertilizers need multiple waterings to soak into the soil, so applying them during a drought leaves your grass vulnerable to surface burns and slow growth. Additionally, many areas have watering restrictions during seasonal drought periods, so you’ll be unable to water your grass manually.
Periods of heavy rainfall can cause your lawn to become waterlogged, eroding soil and harming your grass. Applying fertilizer won’t be effective during this time as water runoff can carry the fertilizer away and prevent it from receiving proper nutrients.
When is the Best Time of Year to Fertilize Your Lawn?
Fertilizing grass is an important step in your lawn care routine as it promotes healthy root growth and keeps your lawn lush and green. However, it’s important to pick the right fertilizer for the job and apply it at the right time.
If you have cool-season grass, fertilize it briefly in the spring before a more thorough application in the fall. For warm-season grasses, fertilize frequently during the spring as directed on the bag. If you’re unsure how to properly treat your lawn, there are many lawn care fertilizer providers to help tailor a plan for your yard’s unique needs.
FAQs About Lawn Fertilization
How do I know when to fertilize my lawn?
You’ll know when to fertilize your lawn for most grass types when the soil reaches 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This can be measured by a soil thermometer or by monitoring the blossoming of springtime plants such as lilacs. This is around mid-April for most of the U.S.
Do I fertilize my lawn before or after rain?
You should fertilize your lawn a day or so after a light rain so the soil is damp and ready to receive nutrients. Do not apply fertilizer before or after heavy rains.
When is the best time to fertilize my lawn?
The exact timing depends on the type of grass you have and the climate you live in. You’ll also want to water your lawn one to three days before fertilization and try to avoid rain in the weather forecast for a few days afterward. Homeowners with cool-season grasses have a lawn fertilizer schedule that begins in the fall, while those with warm-season grasses schedule it for the spring.
What is the difference between organic and synthetic fertilizer?
The difference between organic and synthetic fertilizer can be found in the sources they’re made from. Organic fertilizer has been extracted from living organisms such as plant- or animal-derived products and organic waste. By contrast, synthetic fertilizers are made with minerals such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium along with inorganic waste materials.
Can I use grass clippings as fertilizer?
Yes, grass clippings are excellent to use as fertilizer. Leave your clippings in the grass after mowing to help reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizer used throughout your yard. Grass clippings can provide many of the nutrients your lawn needs.
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