When & How to Fertilize (2024)

FAQs

When & How to Fertilize? ›

Wait until main season rains have ended so that valuable nutrients are not washed away. Stop fertilizing in late fall as soil temperature drops. Avoid fertilizing on very hot days when plants are working hard to stay hydrated. Apply fertilizer a day after thoroughly watering plants to prevent leaf burn.

“Cool-season grasses” should especially be fertilized between late September and early November, and again between late March and early May. Meanwhile, “warm-season grasses” should be fertilized between late March and early May, and again between late June and early August.

In spring, deciduous plants leaf out, flowering plant buds begin to burst, stems and branches elongate and new roots are formed. Nutrients will aid in all of this growth, so the rule of thumb is to make an annual application of fertilizer in the early spring.

When is the best time to fertilize a lawn – before or after a rain? Too much rain could wash away the fertilizer before it has a chance to soak into the soil, so plan to fertilize several days before a heavy rain arrives or several days later.

Fertilizer and Water

A day or two before applying fertilizer, water your lawn thoroughly. 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.

Don't fertilize when it's winter or early spring

Your lawn needs an extended period to recover from the cold weather. Fertilizing in this season may cause your lawn to become weak and sickly. The ideal temperature to fertilize your lawn is 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit.

It is important to avoid fertilizer applications during periods of excessive heat or drought. Once the heat-subsides in late summer or early fall, a final application can be made to help warm-season lawns recover from summer stresses.

You should water granular fertilizer immediately after it is applied to your plants. Granular fertilizer needs the help of water for it to activate, so it will have no effect on your garden if you forget to water after adding it. For liquid fertilizer, you should wait longer before watering your plants.

In general, fertilize plants when you start to see new growth - leaves, buds, roots, etc. - and when planting transplants. Don't fertilize when plants are very dry or drought-stressed. Water the root area before fertilizing.

Don't put the fertilizer directly on the roots, so you don't damage them. Cover the fertilizer with soil or mulch to prevent any waste or runoff. Water the area thoroughly so the nutrients can reach the roots. Avoid overwatering, as the nutrients will move past the root systems!

Should I mow before fertilizing? ›

Before applying fertilizer to the lawn, it's important to mow it first to clear away any thatch. This allows the fertilizer to make better contact with the soil. When the spring fertilizer makes better contact with the soil, it will be absorbed more easily by the roots of your grass.

While it's generally a good practice to fertilize a dry lawn, applying treatment during a drought is not advisable. The heat can place significant stress on your lawn, and fertilizer might not be the ideal solution.

Although some fertilizers benefit from slightly moist grass, if your lawn is too wet, it will fail to properly absorb the nutrients. This includes both granular and liquid fertilizer products. You should avoid applying foliar fertilizer to wet grass because it could lead to nutrient burn.

Mid to end of APRIL – spring fertilizer – 32-0-6 slow release (fast acting) Early to mid JUNE (6 weeks later) – early summer fertilizer – 25-0-5 – 50% slow release. Mid to late JULY (6 weeks later) – late summer fertilizer – 25-0-5 – 50% slow release.

How Long Does It Take Fertilizer to Work? Most fertilizers usually begin showing results within one to five days once they've been thoroughly absorbed by your lawn. Slow-release formulas, while taking a bit longer, should still yield noticeable improvements in your lawn's health within a couple of weeks.

Ideally, you shouldn't fertilize the lawn until the ground is consistently at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Early morning is a good choice so you can take advantage of the morning dew, which will help the fertilizer soak into the soil.

Fall is the best and most important time to fertilize your lawn because: Fall's morning dew delivers moisture to help turf absorb the fertilizer. The grass has a chance to build stamina before a chilly winter. Supporting root growth in fall leads to a healthier, greener lawn in spring.

In general, fertilize plants when you start to see new growth - leaves, buds, roots, etc. - and when planting transplants. Don't fertilize when plants are very dry or drought-stressed.

Fertilize in early spring (after a mild winter) or late spring (after a cold winter), late summer and fall. Add small amounts of a shade-tolerant grass (such as fine fescue) or a wear-resistant grass (such as perennial ryegrass) to enhance a bluegrass lawn.

Vegetable gardeners can fertilize their garden beds about once a month with a quick-release fertilizer or about once a season with a slow-release fertilizer. Some gardeners prefer to feed their flowers and plants with a liquid-soluble plant food once every one to two weeks.