The Lawn Fertilizing Schedule Experts Swear By for Greener Grass
Fertilizer can't fix every problem your grass might face, but it can help it grow strong enough to fight off disease and tolerate stress better than weak, non-fertilized grass. “Fertilizer is essentially food for your lawn. It delivers key nutrients—nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (often listed as NPK on the bag)—that support growth, color and root strength,” says Cameron Brown, merchant of seed and fertilizers at The Home Depot. “When a lawn is properly fed, it grows thicker and greener, which naturally helps prevent weeds, disease, and other issues. On the flip side, underfed lawns tend to become thin, patchy and more vulnerable to problems like fungus or insects. A healthy lawn is much better equipped to take care of itself.”
So how often should you be fertilizing your lawn? While many lawns can benefit from two to four fertilizer applications each year, spaced about six to eight weeks apart, “fertilization frequency varies by lawn,” says Brian Feldman, senior director of technical operations for TruGreen. “Several factors influence how often you should feed your lawn, including the product type selected, regional climate conditions, time of year, and which grass species you're cultivating.”
Let’s find an ideal schedule for your yard by looking at seasonal timing and recommended schedules based on grass types, region, and your lawn goals.
How Often Should You Fertilize Your Lawn?
For most grass lawns, lawn experts generally recommend the following fertilizer frequency based on lawn type. Fertilizer applications are usually spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart during the growing season.
Lawn Type | Frequency |
Typical residential lawn | 3 to 4 times per year |
Low-maintenance lawn | 1 to 2 times per year |
High-performance lawn | Every 6 to 8 weeks |
Factors That Affect How Often You Should Fertilize
The main considerations when determining a fertilization schedule for your lawn are your soil quality, climate, grass species, and lawn goals.
Soil Quality
Poor soil may require more frequent feeding than soil that’s healthy. So how do you know if your soil is healthy? “Find a local soil lab and get a soil test to find the right mix for your lawn,” says George P. Carrette, owner and operator of EcoQuiet Lawn Care LLC. “You might be over-fertilizing some nutrients or under-fertilizing others.” There are also DIY soil test kits available online.
Climate
Where you live matters. Longer growing seasons often require more applications. So if you live in the south where it's warm for most of the year, you may need to fertilize more often.
Grass Species
There are two main types of grass species: warm-season and cool-season. While warm-season grasses often need fertilizer during summer, cool-season grasses need spring and fall feeding.
Lawn Goals
If your lawn goals rank up there with golf courses, pro football fields, and baseball fields, then you’ll likely enjoy spending the extra time giving your lawn more fertilizer and care. And you’ll need to invest the extra time in order to realize your goals. But, if you have a low-maintenance lawn and less interest in achieving lawn envy from neighbors, then you won’t need to invest as much energy into making your grass healthy.
Related: These Are the Lawn Fertilizers Pros Swear By for Thicker, Greener Grass
Signs Your Lawn Needs Fertilizer
Healthy lawns typically maintain consistent color and density, so your lawn will show you that it needs fertilizer. “Signs your turf requires feeding include discolored or drab-looking grass, diminished growth that leaves the lawn appearing sparse or patchy with thin or barren regions,” says Feldman.
Some common signs that a lawn that needs fertilizer:
- Pale or yellow grass
- Thin patches
- Slow growth
- Weeds spreading quickly
Typical Lawn Fertilizer Schedule
The season and temperature are key factors in helping determine an effective fertilizing schedule. “It all depends on where you live and the driving force is soil temperature,” says Lou Manfredini, Ace Hardware’s home expert. “Fertilizers, soil amenders, and grass seed need about 50 degrees of soil temperature to activate. When the temperatures are consistently in the 60s, then clean up and spring fertilization should start. But the weather plays a big role in this.”
So how often should you fertilize grass in your yard? Many lawn programs recommend four feedings per year at these times: early spring, late spring, summer, and fall. Here is a typical fertilizing schedule by season.
Early Spring
After soil temperatures reach 45 degrees and the grass has woken up from winter dormancy, it’s time to fertilize the lawn in order to jump-starts growth after winter. This usually happens in March or April. A pre-emergent is a good idea at this time.
Late Spring
After about six to eight weeks have passed since the initial early spring fertilizing, the lawn will be ready for the next fertilization. This follow-up helps grass to strengthen its roots, keep its green color, and compete with weeds.
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Summer
While you can fertilize again about six to eight weeks after the late spring feeding to support the lawn’s health during heat and stress, you may want to opt for soil food to balance the pH.
Fall
Fall fertilizing does two important things for a lawn. It helps repair any damage from the hot summer months and it helps prep the grass for dormancy during winter. It’s often the most important feeding time that benefits root development before winter.
Related: You’re Probably Fertilizing Your Lawn Wrong—Here’s How to Fix It This Spring
How Fertilizing Frequency Changes by Grass Type
“Fertilization frequency varies by lawn. Several factors influence how often you should feed your lawn, including the product type selected, regional climate conditions, time of year, and which grass species you're cultivating,” says Feldman. Also, Carrette says sandy soils require more frequent fertilizing and clay soils need less.
Warm-season grasses in southern regions typically need more fertilizing sessions. Cool-season grasses benefit from a schedule that reflects the changes in temperature.
Cool-Season Grass (Bluegrass, Fescue, Ryegrass)
Grasses that are considered cool-season include Kentucky bluegrass, fineleaf fescue, and perennial ryegrass. They are narrow-leaved and can handle foot traffic and mow heights of two inches or less.
How often to fertilize cool season grass:
- Early spring: Between March and April, when soil temperatures are above 45 degrees, it’s time to fertilize.
- Late spring: It’s not essential, but it’s a good idea to fertilize again about six to eight weeks after the first spring fertilization.
- Early fall: Usually in September through October, when the soil temperature is around 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, use a multipurpose blend to fertilize.
- Late fall: During October to November when soil temperatures are near 50 degrees, switch to a nitrogen-concentrated winterizer product.
Related: You Don’t Need a Garden to Grow Fresh Herbs All Summer Long
Warm-Season Grass (Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine)
Warm-season grasses include Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, Buffalograss, and Bluestem. They are usually described as bunch grasses that grow during hot weather.
If they are planted in a northern climate, they will likely just grow during the hot summer months. If planted in the south, they can have a longer growth window when temperatures range from about 75 to 90 degrees for more months than in the north.
How often to fertilize warm season grass:
- Late springthrough summer: Begin fertilizer treatments in March and continue to apply every six to eight weeks throughout the summer months.
- Early fall: Apply fertilizer in late August to September, when the soil temperature still exceeds 70 degrees. using a modest amount of potassium-dominant, low-nitrogen product. Isaac Mertz, Ph.D., regional technical manager of the Carolina region for TruGreen, says: “Steer clear of nitrogen-containing applications once soil falls below 70 degrees.”