When Is the Best Time to Fertilize a Lawn?

Trying to get in the habit of taking better care of your lawn? Knowing when to fertilize your lawn is a good place to start. The timing depends on the goals you have for your lawn, whether you intend to fertilize yourself or work with a professional, the budget you have for fertilizing and the type of fertilizer you’ll be using.

If you’re going to fertilize your lawn yourself, you’ll typically do anywhere from four to six applications per year, but keep in mind that you must follow the instructions on the packaging for the fertilizer product you are using, as it may have different instructions.

One common schedule is to fertilize twice in spring, once in summer, twice in fall and possibly once in winter. Here’s a look in greater detail at the best times to fertilize.

Spring applications

The first two fertilizer applications of the year will be performed in spring, and should have the goal of boosting growth. There will be a post-emergent to kill weeds that have already germinated, and a pre-emergent to prevent weeds from returning throughout the summer.

These are the most important applications of the year, as they set the stage for the rest of the growing season. You should apply once in early spring and once in late spring.

Summer application

There should be one midsummer application. Growth usually slows down in the summer in most locations due to the hotter temperatures and lack of moisture. Usually, a single midsummer application is sufficient. This application should be a light fertilizer. This promotes green color and continued growth throughout the summer, even when the weather is rough on your grass.

Fall applications

Much like spring, there should be two applications in fall: one in the early fall, and one in late fall. These fertilizer applications should be performed in conjunction with seeding. This promotes seed germination and also will help to prevent weeds from popping up throughout the fall. It also helps you to prepare for healthy starts to the new year when grass returns in the spring.

Winter application

There are some people who choose to apply fertilizer even in the winter months. This will help maintain color and health in the grass even when the weather is cold. For areas that see a lot of snow coverage during the winter, this probably isn’t worth your while, as you won’t even see the results. However, some professionals might recommend winter application as a means of maintaining grass quality all the way through the winter and to ensure good early growth without weeds once the growing season begins again.

Again, the schedule you use will depend heavily on the specific product you use. There are some types of fertilizers that specify application only twice a year: once in spring and once in fall. There are others that might require monthly applications from spring through fall. But this at least gives you some general guidance if you intend to do your own fertilizing.

For more tips and information about when to fertilize a lawn, contact Rand Hill Lawns, Inc. to speak with an expert.

Categorised in: Plant Fertilization