Cultivating a healthier, greener lawn is far more important than just aesthetics. A lawn that’s in good shape is a lawn that’s safe for your kids to play on, keeps your HOA happy (if you have one), and may even increase your property value.
Applying lawn fertilizer is one way to ensure your yard stays green year-round. But knowing exactly when in the year to do so can be tricky. After all, too much fertilizer or fertilizer applied at the wrong time can kill your grass.
But don’t fret! Below, we outline precisely when to feed your specific type of grass.
Identify Your Grass Type
The lawns of most American homeowners feature either warm-season or cool-season grass—though in some cases, you may have a mix of the two.
Common cool-season grasses include:
- Ryegrass
- Fescue
- Kentucky bluegrass
These grasses are commonly grown in the country’s north, don’t do well in high temperatures, love water, and have two growing seasons.
Common warm-season grasses include:
- Zoysia
- Bermuda
- Centipede
- Kikuyu
- St. Augustine
You’ll find these tough grasses in the southern states because they prefer warm temperatures. As such, they do most of their growing during the summer.
It’s essential to know what type of grass you have because this dictates when you’ll need to fertilize your lawn.
Feeding Your Grass According to Season
To take care of your lawn properly, you must feed it at the right time. When to feed cool or warm-season grasses depends on the season.
Cool-Season Grasses
To cultivate a healthy lawn in cooler areas, you need to fertilize during one of the two peak growth periods: spring and fall.
In early spring, cool-season grasses wake up from their winter dormancy and start putting out roots. In fall, your lawn is hungry for food; it’s building its energy reserves for the coming cool weather.
Plan to fertilize a cool-season lawn lightly in early spring to help the root systems develop. Aim to add a slow-release, nitrogen-rich fertilizer heavily in the fall.
Warm-Season Grasses
Warm-season grasses start growing vigorously when temperatures reach into the high 70s.
To ensure your grass has enough energy to make it through this growth spurt, you need to start fertilizing your lawn in spring—when you notice fresh green blades popping up. Some lawns might also benefit from the second application of fertilizer at the end of summer, though that’s only if you’re expecting a particularly cold winter.
After applying fertilizer, don’t forget to water your lawn gently. This helps the roots better absorb the food.
Not Sure When to Apply Lawn Fertilizer? Ask the Pros
Feeding your lawn is essential if you want lush, green landscaping year-round. If you’re still unsure of what type of grass you have or when to apply lawn fertilizer for the best return on your investment (of time and money), consult with your local lawn care professionals.
Green Lawn Fertilizing services the Rockwall area and provides lawn fertilizing and seeding advice, weed killing, and fire ant control. Contact us today for a consultation.
