When Should I Fertilize My Lawn In The Fall?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The best time to fertilize can depend on the climate, but typically

September and October

are usually the best months to apply fall fertilizer. Make sure to complete your fall fertilization 2-3 weeks before the ground freezes to ensure that your lawn reaps the full benefits of the fertilizer and avoids winter damage.

Should you fertilize in early fall?

During fall,

September

is the best time to fertilize your lawn. Grass is recovering from a long hot summer and may be coming out of a drought-induced dormancy, so you’ll want to give your lawn a shot of nitrogen to push blade growth.

When should you fertilize in fall?

Apply fall lawn fertilizer

2 to 3 weeks before the ground freezes

. To find an exact date, look for the first frost date in your area. That date is typically a good time to fertilize since the ground hasn’t frozen yet. More generally, mid-October is a good time to apply lawn fertilizer.

What fertilizer is best for the fall?



Nitrogen applied

in the fall is the most important lawn fertilization of the year,” says Robert Cox, Colorado Sate University Cooperative Extension Agent. “Use a high-nitrogen fertilizer, such as 25-5-5, or something with a similar formula.”

Should I fertilize after overseeding in the fall?

If you’ve recently overseeded your lawn,

there’s no reason to wait to apply fertilizer

. The sooner you spread a lawn starter fertilizer on your yard, the sooner it will begin to feed your grass seedlings. If you like, you apply fertilizer the minute you’re done spreading your grass seed.

When should I stop watering my lawn in the fall?

You should not completely stop watering your lawn in the fall

until the ground freezes

. After the ground freezes, it would be pointless to water grass because the frozen ground would act as a barrier, blocking the water’s path to the roots.

Should I water after fertilizing?

Fertilizer and Water

After grass dries, apply fertilizer.

Then lightly water again

. This second watering is vitally important, because it washes fertilizer off grass blades and into soil. You can also time fertilizer application between rainfalls to let rain wash fertilizer into soil.

When should you fall overseed?

Hands down, early fall is the best time to overseed your lawn. The absolute sweet spot for most northern regions of the U.S. is

August 15 to September 15

. That’s when daytime temperatures are still warm enough to encourage growth and nights get cooler, giving new seedlings a break from the heat.

Can I fertilize my lawn every 2 weeks?

Can I fertilize my lawn every 2 weeks? To avoid over-fertilizing,

applying a fertilizer every two weeks is not recommended

. Fertilizing as often as every two weeks will likely lead to problems such as lawn burn, excessive grass growth, as well as polluted water that can lead to toxic algae growth.

Is it too late to fertilize my lawn in October?

Generally, you need to feed warm-season grasses from late spring to early fall. If you feed too early in spring the nitrogen likely promotes rapid growth of cool-season weeds. … If you fertilize too late in fall,

the grass is likely to be less hardy as it

enters cold weather and more susceptible to winter injury.

How late can you put down winter fertilizer?

In general, try your best to apply it

between September 1 and October 15

. The farther north you live, the earlier you should apply it. The goal is to have at least one month of active grass growing weather remaining before winter takes its grip.

What is Winterizer fertilizer?

A winterizer is a

late fall fertilizer application designed to help lawns store more food for winter survival

, and to encourage thick and rapid growth and rooting in the spring. … The best time to apply a winterizer is after the grass stops growing in the fall, while it is still green on top and active below the surface.

How do I overseed and fertilize my lawn in the fall?

  1. Mow Lawn Short. Mow you grass to a height of 1.5′′ to 2′′
  2. Rake Area Thoroughly. Use an overseeder rake or leaf rake taking care not to rip out existing grass.
  3. Aerate & Dethatch Your Lawn. …
  4. Broadcast Starter Fertilizer. …
  5. Broadcast Seed Over Lawn. …
  6. Rake Seed In. …
  7. Watering.

How late in the fall can you overseed?

Although September is the best time, often we can still plant grass seed up to

October 15

with good results. The problem with late season seeding is that Mother Nature is working against us. Shorter days and cooler temperatures prolong the germination of the seed and its establishment.

Can you put grass seed and fertilizer down at the same time?

When seeding a lawn,

you should never apply the fertilizer and seed together

. This can cause an uneven distribution of the materials resulting in patchy areas or seedlings burned by excess fertilizer. It is best to spread the fertilizer just prior to planting the seed.

Is it better to leave grass long or short for winter?

What’s the best grass height for winter? Ultimately, your lawn should be

about 2 to 2 1⁄2 inches high by wintertime

. That’s the “sweet spot” because it’s not too tall to invite snow mold, but not too short to be stressed out by cold weather. … Spread the trims out, so you condition the lawn to withstand a shorter height.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.