A Definitive Guide on When to Fertilize Your Lawn

Did you know that 57% of Americans think that if their lawn is not green, it isn't healthy?

If you are asking "when to fertilize your lawn?" you are in the right place. We have put together this short guide to explain more about the different types of grasses and when it's best to fertilize. 

Read on to learn when lawn fertilization is best for your landscaping needs. 

Grass Type

The first thing you have to do is identify the type of grass you have. For those that have warm-season grasses which thrive in the Southern part of the United States, your grass benefits from warmer temperatures.

This makes mid-summer time the ideal growing season. Common warm-season grasses include centipede grass, St. Augustine grass, Bermuda grass, zoysia grass, and kikuyu grass. 

Cool-season grasses are more common in the northern parts of the U.S. This grass type prefers lower temperatures, and their peak growing periods are in the early springs and in early fall. Some common types of cool grasses include ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and tall and fine fescues. 

For people that live in a transitional zone, you might have a combination of warm and cool-season grasses. These combinations will require a bit more work at different times of the year. 

When to Fertilize

Once you know what type of grass you have, you can figure out the best time to fertilize it. For warm-season grasses, you want to time spring fertilization right when the grass starts turning green. You will need to feed it between 3 and 4 pounds of fertilizer for every 1,000 square feet of lawn per year. 

After you apply the fertilizer, take the time to water the grass thoroughly to wash the grains off the grass blades to make sure they go into the soil. Be mindful of not overwatering where you create runoff. After the peak summer heat passes, you will want to apply another round of fertilizer. 

For those with cool-season grasses, the best time to fertilize your lawn is in the fall and early spring. When you fertilize in early spring, you want to do a light fertilizing session, but in the fall you want to fertilize heavily. You will only need 1 to 2 pounds of fertilizer per 1,000 square feet per year. 

We highly recommend reaching out to a professional such as Heartlandturf.com if you are not too sure of the grass type you have. They will not only apply the right amount of fertilizer but will use high-quality products to ensure your lawn is in tip-top shape.  

Now You Know When to Fertilize Your Lawn

Now that we answered the question "when to fertilize your lawn?" you can make an informed decision on when to buy fertilizer and get to work on your landscape. 

Feel free to continue browsing the rest of this section for our latest tips and tricks to keep your home and garden looking their best.