QA

Question: When To Apply Spring Lawn Fertilizer

Apply early spring lawn fertilizer once between February and April, when your grass is starting to green up and begin to actively grow (around the time your lawn first needs to be mowed).

Is March too early to fertilize lawn?

March is much too early to either fertilize or control weeds in the lawn. Fertilizing lawns in late winter is normally not beneficial to the turfgrass plants. Early fertilization can encourage lush growth during periods when cold temperature stress can still occur. Generally, fertilizers are best applied after April 1.

What is the best fertilizer for early spring?

Other Top Lawn Fertilizer Products Miracle Gro All Purpose Lawn Food (Synthetic) Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food (Synthetic) Safer Brand 9333 Ringer Lawn Fertilizer (Organic) Milorganite 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer (Organic) Espoma ELF20 Organic All Season Lawn Food (Organic) Diatomaceous Earth Food (Organic).

When should I apply fertilizer to my lawn?

Fertilizing in the morning allows the soil to take in the most nutrients, soak in the morning dew and take advantage of cooler temperatures. That’s the best time. Do not apply fertilizer on an abnormally hot day, not even in the morning. Wait until the weather cools back down to a normal temperature.

What fertilizer should I use on my lawn in the spring?

By the way, a 20-5-10 lawn fertilizer is a good basic mix to use in spring. Slow-release lawn fertilizers break down their nutrients over a longer period of time, so you can wait longer between applications.

Can you fertilize too early in spring?

If you are going to fertilize your lawn, do not do it too early in the season. The best time for that first application is late spring, just as the green grass is beginning to grow eagerly. If you apply fertilizer too early, it will divert the plant’s energy into leaf development too soon.

Is it too cold to fertilize lawn?

As a general rule, you should not fertilize your lawn when it is dormant. Lawn grass can go dormant when it’s too cold, or too hot. At the cool end of the spectrum, you want to be sure that your air temperatures are consistently 60 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer.

Do I fertilize my lawn before or after rain?

Ideally, you should aim to fertilize about two days after rain or watering, and when the next heavy rainfall is at least two days away. It can be helpful to have some rain before and after fertilizing. Rain a couple of days before fertilizing keeps your yard moist and the turf healthy, receptive to the nutrients.

What time of day is best to apply fertilizer?

Late afternoon or early evening (when there’s still light, of course) is the best time of day to apply lawn fertilizer. Applying it in the heat of a scorching afternoon can cause the sun’s rays to burn your grass—and when your goal is “lush and green,” burned grass blades simply won’t cut it.

What fertilizer should I use in May?

In late May or early June, before the heat of the summer arrives, apply some slow release nitrogen. This will encourage the grass to rebuild. A good dose of nitrogen rich fertilizer will also arm your lawn. Fighting off the stresses of summer, traffic, disease, heat, and drought.

What if it rains after I fertilize my lawn?

The answer not very cut and dry, but here is the bottom line: The vast majority of the time, rain after a fertilizer application is not a problem at all. Water helps “activate” your fertilizer. It helps move the granules deep into the thatch where it starts to break down so that it can be soaked into the root system.

Should I fertilize in the morning or evening?

The late afternoon or early evening is the best time of day to fertilize your lawn. With that said, you should never fertilize if there is direct hot sunlight on your lawn. This can lead to burning.

What should you do to your lawn in April?

Spring Lawn Care Steps Rake. Spring raking removes lingering fall leaves and grass blades that did not survive winter. Overseed. Fill bare or thin spots in the lawn by overseeding. Aerate. Vital for a truly healthy lawn, aeration is the solution for compacted soil. Dethatch. Weed. Fertilize. Water. Mow.

Should I fertilize my lawn in the spring?

Whether you have a newly seeded lawn or an established lawn, you should fertilize it during the spring growing season to keep the grass vibrant on the surface and healthy down into its roots.

Can you fertilize lawn after frost?

Based on appearance alone, it’s often assumed soil is frozen at this point too and that no more fertilizer should be applied, as the soil can’t absorb nutrients. The reality is, however, that fertilizing after frost is a good idea — and we’ll tell you why here.

What should the temperature be when you fertilize your lawn?

Ideally, the ground should be around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on where you live, March to April is the best time to fertilize your lawn. It’s also best if your yard is watered a few days before you want to apply the fertilizer, whether that’s from rain or a sprinkler.

Should I fertilize my lawn before it snows?

Fertilize and feed: Your grass and landscaping plants should be given fertilizer before the winter sets in. Plants need food to feed on throughout the winter season, and fertilizer will help make the grass roots stronger for the following season. Do this during the fall before the first snow fall.

Can you fertilize in 30 degree weather?

Generally, you should not be grass fertilizing in hot weather. Overfertilizing can lead to the need to mow more often, and fertilizing at the wrong time can irreversibly damage your lawn. A summer lawn care schedule should mostly focus on watering and mowing as needed.