Best Time to Fertilize Your Lawn in 2023

Why Fertilize Your Lawn?

Fertilizing your lawn is essential for a beautiful, healthy landscape. Fertilizer helps grass grow strong, green, and vibrant. It also helps reduce weeds, and leads to thicker, more resilient grass that can better withstand drought, pests, and other environmental stressors. Regular fertilizing can greatly improve the look of your lawn, and make it a focal point of your outdoor living space.

When is the Best Time to Fertilize Your Lawn?

The best time to fertilize your lawn depends on the type of grass you have. Generally, cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass should be fertilized in the fall and spring. Warm-season grasses such as Bermuda, zoysia, and centipede should be fertilized in the late spring and summer. When in doubt, consult with a local lawn care professional.

Spring Fertilizing

Spring is the ideal time to fertilize cool-season grasses, as the warm temperatures will help the fertilizer to absorb into the ground. Fertilizing your lawn in the spring will help it to grow strong and healthy as it begins to wake up from the winter. Be sure to use a fertilizer that’s specifically formulated for spring use.

Summer Fertilizing

Warm-season grasses benefit most from fertilizing in the late spring or summer. Once the temperature is consistently warm, the fertilizer will help the grass to grow thicker and greener. Apply fertilizer to your lawn in the early morning or late evening, so that the sun won’t cause it to burn.

Fall Fertilizing

Fall is the ideal time to fertilize cool-season grasses. The cooler temperatures will help the fertilizer to absorb into the ground, and will help the grass to grow strong and healthy. As the weather cools down, the grass will go into dormancy and the fertilizer will help to protect it from the cold winter. Be sure to use a fertilizer that’s specifically formulated for fall use.