Lawn Fertilizers

When Is the Best Time to Fertilize Your Lawn?

Spring is the time for new life. It’s also the best time to fertilize your lawn. Mild, early spring weather post-winter means soil temperature warms to around 55º Fahrenheit. This is when your grass is most likely to germinate. Add fertilizer after you’ve sowed your grass seeds (if you need to) and you’ve completed your topdressing. For more guidance on how to do this, take a look at our helpful YouTube video:

For precision, we recommend using a soil thermometer to ensure your soil is at optimum temperature. But, if you don’t have one, look for signs that spring has sprung. For example, your grass has started sprouting, and other plants and flowers will begin to bloom. Generally, the ideal time falls in mid-April in most parts of the US. You can apply lawn fertilizer from spring through to the late summer as part of your lawn-care program.

How to Choose the Right Lawn Fertilizer

Before buying your new lawn fertilizer, it’s important to test the soil to work out which essential nutrients your grass is missing. Purchase a home soil test kit to understand what’s going on underneath your lawn and which fertilizers will provide the right combination of nutrients. Based on this information, you may need to mix and match your fertilizers depending on the nourishment your lawn needs. For a more detailed breakdown of which fertilizers to choose for your lawn — check out our complete guide to lawn fertilization.

Lawn Fertilizer FAQs

Looking for a comprehensive guide to all your potential lawn fertilization questions? We’ve got a YouTube video for that. Watch our recent livestream where we fielded some commonly asked questions:

Spring Fertilization Program - Golf Course Lawn Q&A - [Ron Henry LIVE] If you’re stuck for time — don’t worry. We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions to answer all your fertilization queries.

Why Do I Need Lawn Fertilizers?

In the same way, we need specific vitamins and nutrients to stay healthy; your lawn needs them too. Acidic or alkaline soil conditions can mean your grass suffers from a lack of specific nutrients. You want to keep your turf as healthy as possible to mitigate the appearance of weeds and pests or susceptibility to diseases. If your lawn is healthy in the first place, you’re far less likely to spend time and money on herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides.

When Shouldn’t I Apply Lawn Fertilizers?

Don’t use fertilizers meant for spring in the autumn and winter months. Harsh temperatures and weather conditions can damage new plants and won’t promote grass growth. Frozen or dry ground makes it impossible for fertilizer to be absorbed properly. Ensure you’re using the right fertilizer for the correct time of year.

What Is the Best Way to Apply Lawn Fertilizer?

For the best coverage, we recommend using a drop or broadcast spreader for granular fertilizers and a backpack sprayer for liquid fertilizers. When you’re applying your fertilizer, be mindful of surrounding water sources like rivers or lakes. Ensure fertilizer doesn’t spill into water sources or other ecosystems as this can cause environmental damage.

Which Additional Products Should I Use?

You want to give your grass the best chance possible to achieve a golf course lawn. We recommend using biostimulants. Biostimulants contain microorganisms and/or substances that enhance nutrient efficiency. Using products like Mirimichi Green’s Essential-G alongside your lawn fertilizer can boost its effects. Having reclaimed coffee grounds, humate, and USDA Certified Carbon — this biostimulant helps drive deep root growth, quicker recovery, and vibrancy.

Additionally, you can use herbicides or insecticides with your fertilizer to target stubborn pests and weeds in your lawn.

How Often Should I Apply Granular Lawn Fertilizers?

You should apply granular fertilizers about once per month. Product labels will tell you exactly how much fertilizer you need, but as a rule of thumb: just under 1 lb of nitrogen per month. Use a broadcast spreader for the best coverage, and don’t be tempted to over-fertilize your lawn. Excess fertilizer will cause uncontrollable growth and weaker, lighter-colored grass more prone to disease.

How Often Should I Apply Liquid Lawn Fertilizers? Liquid fertilizers can be applied twice per month during the spring. For the best results, use a backpack spreader. Hose-end spreaders offer less control for an even application.

What Else Can I Do to Maximize the Effects?

Lawn fertilizer isn’t the shortcut to achieving a golf course lawn. There are plenty of other things to keep up with to see great results. Regular mowing is also essential to keeping your lawn in good shape. Mow your lawn twice a week, beginning when the grass starts growing in spring and throughout the growing season. During the summer months, you may need to mow up to three times a week when the grass growth rate is at its fastest. As well as a regular mowing regime, ensure your grass gets enough water. In drier areas, lawns require regular watering through the spring and summer. On average, grass needs about an inch of water per week to thrive.

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