A lot of homeowners take pride in a lush green lawn on their property. This not only adds beauty but also value. While simply mowing the lawn occasionally isn’t enough to keep it thriving, applying fertilizer at the right times plays a key role in maintaining strong, healthy growth all year. Fertilizing just once annually can bring noticeable improvement, but for a lawn that’s truly lush and attractive, feeding it four times throughout the year is ideal. The timing depends on several factors, including the grass variety, your region’s climate, and the seasonal growth patterns.
This article will help you identify the right times to fertilize your lawn and provide tips for important lawn care steps you can take to try and get your lawn healthy and vibrant.
The Best Time to Apply Fertilizer
The best time to fertilize will almost always depend on the type of grass and climate you live in – it will also depend on when your grass actively grows. Generally, most lawns will benefit from fertilizing as they grow during the growing season. Let’s break it down in terms of the two major types of grass:
Cool-Season Grasses
Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, and ryegrass grow best in the cooler months of spring and fall. These grasses thrive in temperatures between 60°F and 75°F (15°C and 24°C), which makes early spring and early fall the ideal times for fertilization.
- Spring Fertilization: Apply fertilizer in early spring, around 4–6 weeks after the last frost — typically in March or April. This is when your lawn is coming out of dormancy, and the grass begins to grow actively again. A balanced fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content is perfect for giving your lawn a boost during this time.
- Fall Fertilization: Apply fertilizer about 6–8 weeks before the first frost — usually in September or October. Fertilizing in the fall is crucial for cool-season grasses. As temperatures cool, the grass slows down but continues to grow at a slower pace. Fertilizing at this time helps the grass build up nutrients for the winter, ensuring that it starts the next growing season strong. Apply fertilizer about 6-8 weeks before the first frost.
Warm-Season Grasses
Warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda, zoysia, and St. Augustine, perform best when temperatures are warmer, typically between 75°F and 95°F (24°C and 35°C). These grasses grow most vigorously in late spring and summer.
- Late Spring Fertilization: Fertilize once the grass starts to green up in late spring, around April or May. Wait until the soil temperature reaches about 65°F (18°C) to ensure your grass is actively growing. Use a fertilizer high in potassium and phosphorus during this period.
- Summer Fertilization: You can apply a second round of fertilizer in early to mid-summer (June or July) to support the healthy growth of your warm-season lawn. Be careful not to over-fertilize, as this can lead to excessive growth and even cause lawn burn.
Key Lawn Care Tips to Remember When Fertilizing Your Lawn
Fertilizing your lawn isn’t just about timing; it’s also about using the right techniques to ensure that the fertilizer is absorbed properly and doesn’t cause harm to your grass. Here are some key tips to keep in mind when fertilizing your lawn:
- Choose the Right Fertilizer: Not all fertilizers are created equal. Choose a fertilizer that is appropriate for your lawn type and the season. Fertilizers typically come in three numbers on the label (e.g., 20-5-10), which represent the percentage of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). For cool-season grasses, a high-nitrogen fertilizer is great for spring, while a balanced or lower-nitrogen fertilizer works well in the fall. For warm-season grasses, opt for a fertilizer with higher potassium and phosphorus.
- Apply Fertilizer Evenly: It’s important to apply fertilizer evenly across your lawn to avoid patches of over-fertilized grass or bare spots. Use a spreader to distribute the fertilizer evenly, and be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the proper application rate.
- Water After Fertilizing: After applying fertilizer, water your lawn thoroughly. Water helps to activate the fertilizer and ensures that the nutrients are absorbed by the soil and the grassroots. Be sure to water deeply to avoid a shallow root system.
- Fertilize During Dry Weather: Fertilizing during wet weather can cause the fertilizer to wash away before it has a chance to work. For best results, choose a dry day to fertilize and wait until the grass has dried out from morning dew.
- Mow Before Fertilizing: Before applying fertilizer, mow your lawn to a reasonable height. This helps ensure that the fertilizer reaches the soil and doesn’t sit on top of the grass blades. However, avoid mowing too short, as this can stress your lawn.
- Avoid Over-Fertilizing: It’s tempting to fertilize frequently to make your lawn lush and green, but over-fertilizing can cause more harm than good. Excess fertilizer can burn your grass and cause nutrient imbalances, leading to weak growth. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for fertilizer application.
Fertilizers and Their Impact on Dogs
As we focus on making our lawns look beautiful through landscape maintenance and fertilization, it’s important to consider how fertilizers can affect our pets, especially dogs. Many common lawn fertilizers contain chemicals that can be harmful if ingested by dogs. Dogs love to explore and might chew on grass, especially right after it’s been fertilized.
- Toxicity Concerns: Some fertilizers contain substances like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in high amounts, which, if consumed, can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy in dogs. Some fertilizers also contain insecticides or herbicides, which can be even more dangerous to pets.
- Safe Practices: To keep your dog safe, it’s best to keep them off the lawn for at least 24 hours after fertilizing or follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on the waiting period. If you are using a natural or organic fertilizer, it’s less likely to be harmful, but it’s still a good practice to keep pets away for a while. Consider using pet-friendly fertilizers or applying them at times when your dog isn’t in the yard.
If you are a pet owner concerned about how fertilizers might impact your dog’s health, be sure to read our blog for more helpful tips and guidance. https://destinedlandscapes.com/is-fertilizer-bad-for-dogs/
Conclusion
Fertilizing your lawn is one of the most important aspects of landscape maintenance to ensure a vibrant, healthy, and green space. Understanding when and how to do it properly is essential to achieving the best results. Remember to choose the right fertilizer, apply it at the proper time for your grass type, and follow the tips for effective lawn care. Additionally, always be mindful of the safety of your pets, as some fertilizers can be harmful to them.
At Destined Landscapes, we can help you with all aspects of lawn care, from choosing the right fertilizer to proper application and maintenance. We provide expert landscape maintenance services that ensure your lawn stays healthy and beautiful throughout the year. Whether you need help with seasonal fertilization or year-round landscape care, our team is here to provide top-notch service tailored to your lawn’s needs.
Reach out today to get started on the path to a greener, healthier lawn!
