Lawn Fertilizer Schedule

No two lawns are alike. Where you live, whether you have sun or shade, and lots of other things make a big difference in what your lawn needs. The most important thing you can do for your lawn is follow a lawn fertilizer schedule. A well-fed lawn is healthier, which means it has a better root system to combat heat, cold, drought, mowing, foot traffic and other stresses. While feeding your lawn once a year will improve its condition, feeding it four times a year will make it even healthier.

If you put your lawn on the regular lawn fertilizer schedule outlined below, it will look lush and green, and your neighbors will turn green with envy.

Late February-Early March – apply a simple 15-5-10 for an early green-up. Most companies that make slow-release fertilizers also make a nonslow-release 15-5-10 that provides for a quick two-week green up before we get to the heart of the fertilizer schedule. 

Late March-Early April – apply slow-release 3-1-2 ratio fertilizers. 

Late June-Early July – apply slow-release 3-1-2 ratio fertilizers. 
(recommended formulations 19-5-9, 19-4-10, 18-4-6, 15-5-10.) 

October-November – apply winterizer formulas for winter hardiness. Ratios vary, but make sure they are “winter” or “fall” formulas designed for southern grasses. 
(examples: 18-6-12, 8-12-16, 10-5-14) Will make lawns winter-hardy. 

Before you buy lawn fertilizer, consider the following questions:

• Are you fertilizing cool-season or warm-season grass?
• When should you begin fertilizing your lawn for best results?
• Which nutrients does your soil need most?
• Do you prefer organic fertilizer over synthetic varieties?

Fertilizing your lawn might seem like it would be easy, but doing it effectively can be quite challenging. To choose the right lawn fertilizer schedule you must know the size of your yard, the kinds of grasses that grow there, your soil type(s), and how well the area drains.

Do-it-yourselfers don’t often want to ask for assistance—but when it comes to creating and executing the optimum lawn fertilizer schedule, it’s best to call in the experts. We can help you build a successful program specifically for your lawn by contacting The Landscape Pros.