Knowing when to fertilize your lawn can be tricky. Here are some quick answers to common questions to help determine if your lawn needs fertilizer:
What are signs my lawn needs fertilizer?
Some signs your lawn may need fertilizer include:
- Grass appears light green or yellowish
- Growth is slow or stunted
- Areas of grass are thinning out
- Weeds are taking over
- Grass feels rough or coarse
- Dull color
When is the best time to fertilize my lawn?
The optimal times to fertilize your lawn are:
- Spring – April to May
- Fall – September to November
Avoid fertilizing in summer when grass growth naturally slows.
How often should I fertilize my lawn?
Most lawns need fertilizing 2-4 times per year. A typical fertilizing schedule is:
- Early spring – kickstarts growth
- Late spring/early summer – fuels growth
- Early fall – prepares for winter
- Late fall – helps recovery and root growth
Let the condition of your lawn guide you. If growth is minimal or grass looks stressed, you may need to increase frequency.
What type of fertilizer is best?
Look for fertilizers with a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio, meaning the first number should be at least 3 times higher than the middle number. This ratio provides an optimal balance of nitrogen for lush growth, phosphorus to strengthen roots and shoots, and potassium to improve drought and disease resistance.
Slow release fertilizers provide longer-lasting nutrients. Organic options like compost and manure release nutrients more gradually over time.
How much fertilizer should I apply?
Read the label on your fertilizer bag carefully and follow the recommended application rate. Applying too much can burn your grass. A typical application is 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
For example, if you have a 5,000 square foot lawn and are using a 20-4-8 fertilizer with 20% nitrogen, you would apply:
- Lawn size: 5,000 sq ft
- Desired nitrogen: 1 lb per 1,000 sq ft = 5 lbs total
- Fertilizer provides 20% nitrogen
- So to get 5 lbs nitrogen, need 5/0.2 = 25 lbs fertilizer
Always perform a soil test to determine exactly what your lawn needs before applying any fertilizer.
How should I apply the fertilizer?
You can use a broadcast spreader for even application across your entire lawn. Make two passes in opposite directions for the most uniform coverage. Water after fertilizing to help carry nutrients down into the soil. Proper application techniques maximize the benefits while reducing risks of over-fertilization.
What is the best fertilizer for my grass type?
Fertilizer needs can vary slightly depending on your grass type:
| Grass Type | Ideal Fertilizer Ratio |
|---|---|
| Bermuda | 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 |
| Zoysia | 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 |
| Centipede | 2-1-1 or 3-1-2 |
| St. Augustine | 4-1-2 |
| Fescue | 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 |
| Bluegrass | 3-1-2 |
| Rye | 5-1-2 |
Warm season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia need more nitrogen, while cool season grasses like fescue require relatively less.
How to choose the right fertilizer ratio
Selecting the proper fertilizer ratio involves understanding your grass type, soil, and desired results. Here are some tips:
- Higher first number = more growth, greening. Useful in spring or on high traffic areas.
- Higher middle number strengthens roots, color, and drought tolerance.
- Higher last number improves disease resistance, hardness, and winter color.
- Sandy soils may need more frequent, diluted feeding. Clay soils hold nutrients longer.
- High maintenance grass can take a 4-1-2 or 5-1-2 ratio. Low maintenance yards may only need 1-2 yearly applications.
Your local garden center can help you select a ratio tailored to your specific needs and conditions.
Should I get liquid or granular fertilizer?
Both liquid and granular fertilizer are effective options. Here is a comparison:
| Liquid Fertilizer | Granular Fertilizer | |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Sprayed on | Spread across lawn |
| Speed | Absorbed more quickly | Release is slower |
| Convenience | No spreader needed | Requires spreader |
| Coverage | Can spray just problem spots | Entire lawn gets fertilized |
Liquids provide fast “growth spurts” while granulars offer prolonged feeding. Using both at different times can give a nice balance.
Should I use natural or synthetic fertilizer?
Both natural organic and synthetic chemical fertilizers have benefits:
| Natural Organic | Synthetic Chemical | |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Plant or animal materials | Man-made compounds |
| Environmental Impact | Low, breaks down naturally | Higher risk of toxicity |
| Nutrients | Lower concentration, released slowly over time | Higher concentrations immediately available |
| Application | Mulching compost into soil provides benefits | Foliar sprays or granules provide quick green-up |
Using a combination can give you both quick release and slow organic nutrition for full coverage.
What is the best organic fertilizer?
Some top organic fertilizer options include:
- Compost – Excellent for improving soil structure and moisture retention.
- Manure – Provides a quick burst of nutrients, best applied in fall.
- Cottonseed meal – Lasts up to 3 months with 6% nitrogen.
- Alfalfa meal – Feeds soil microbes which release nitrogen.
- Corn gluten meal – A dual fertilizer and pre-emergent weed controller.
- Fish emulsion – Fast absorbing liquid from fish remains, smelly.
- Seaweed extracts – Supplies micronutrients and plant hormones for growth.
Rotate between different organic sources for a diverse nutritional profile.
How to use compost as fertilizer
Compost makes an excellent fertilizer by slowly releasing nutrients as it decomposes. Here are some tips for using compost to feed your lawn:
- Spread 1/4 to 1/2 inch layer across the lawn in early spring or fall.
- Can be mixed into the top few inches of soil for deeper enrichment.
- Fine screened compost can be used for lawn topdressing.
- Mix with equal parts sand or soil to improve drainage on heavy soils.
- Supplement with additional nitrogen fertilizer for best results.
- Help compost penetrate by watering lightly after application.
- Reapply annually or as needed based on lawn condition.
With proper application, compost provides a natural slow-release fertilizer full of beneficial microbes and nutrients.
When should I fertilize newly planted grass?
It’s important not to fertilize immediately after planting new grass as seedlings are delicate. Here are general guidelines:
- Seeded lawns – Wait 6-8 weeks until established for first fertilizer application.
- Sod lawns – Wait 2-4 weeks until rooting takes hold before fertilizing.
- Starter fertilizer – Can be applied at seeding/laying sod to provide initial nutrients.
- First application – Use a quick release fertilizer at half strength.
- Second application – Apply again at full rate 2-4 weeks later.
Let the new grass mature before feeding it so you don’t burn tender roots. Starter fertilizer provides a nutrient boost while avoiding risks of burn.
When should I stop fertilizing lawn for winter?
It’s best to stop high nitrogen fertilizing about 1 month before the first expected frost. Otherwise, a late feed can trigger new growth that is more susceptible to winter damage. Some general fall fertilizer guidelines include:
- Northern regions – fertilize until early September
- Southern regions – fertilize until late October
- Use a winterizer or low nitrogen formula
- Never apply on frozen ground
- Resist early spring feeding until soil reaches 50 degrees F
A properly timed late fall feeding prepares your lawn for winter while reducing risk of damage.
What fertilizer is best for fall?
Look for these qualities in a good fall lawn fertilizer:
- Low nitrogen – excessive top growth leads to winter damage
- Higher potassium – boosts cold tolerance, disease resistance
- Iron – helps green up tired grass
- Lower salt index – prevents salt burn
- Slow release – longer lasting effect
Fall winterizer fertilizers are specifically formulated with higher potassium and low burn properties ideal for fall application.
Should I do a soil test before fertilizing?
Yes, performing a soil test first is highly recommended. A soil test will tell you exactly what nutrients your lawn currently needs or may be lacking. Benefits include:
- Avoids guesswork on proper fertilizer
- Prevents over or under applying
- Checks pH balance
- Identifies hidden deficiencies
- Saves money on unneeded fertilizer
- Reduces environmental impact
Home test kits are available for testing pH, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels. Or send a sample to a lab for a comprehensive report.
How soon after fertilizing will my grass green up?
You should see results within 7-10 days after fertilizing. Quick release nitrogen fertilizers provide the fastest green-up while organics can take 2-3 weeks. Time of year also affects response:
- Early spring – 5-7 days
- Late spring – 7-10 days
- Summer – 10-14 days
- Fall – 7-10 days
Look for gradual improvement in color and density over time. Dramatic overnight changes likely mean you have over-applied.
Can too much fertilizer burn my lawn?
Yes, applying excessive amounts of fertilizer can definitely burn grass. Signs of fertilizer burn include:
- Brown, dead patches
- Lesions, spots or streaks
- Leaf tips turn brown or black
- Grass takes on a bluish tint
- Rapid greening followed by dieback
Applying too much chemical fertilizer at once damages grass roots and leaves. Follow product labels carefully to avoid burn.
How to fix fertilizer burn
If you over-fertilize and burn your lawn, recovery takes time but there are a few steps to help:
- Flush with irrigation to leach out salts
- Reduce future applications – burned areas are sensitive
- Apply compost or organic matter to aid soil
- Reseed or resod damaged patches
- Wait and allow new growth to fill back in
Preventing fertilizer burn in the first place is more effective than trying to repair it later.
Conclusion
Determining if and when your lawn needs fertilizer requires careful observation. Look for signs of nutrient deficiency and only apply what is absolutely necessary based on soil tests. Use proper ratios and application techniques to maximize results. Time applications appropriately throughout the seasons. Both natural organic and quality synthetic fertilizers can be helpful at providing nutrients for lush grass. Avoid overapplying and burning lawn grass. With the right fertilizing strategy tailored to your specific situation, you can maintain a healthy green lawn all year.
