Typically, September and October are the best months to apply fall fertilizer. The most important factor is that you make sure to complete your fall fertilization 2-3 weeks before the ground freezes. Thus, ensuring that your lawn reaps the full benefits of the fertilizer and avoids winter damage.
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.
Best Fall Lawn Fertilizer
While this fall lawn fertilizer dose is important, an application at the end of October or early November is essential. At that time, apply a fertilizer with a formula of 13-25-12. The push of phosphorus will stimulate root growth through November and even into early December.
Fertilizing in the fall helps plants be hardier when the temperatures drop. We also recommend applying fertilizer in the late fall, toward the end of October or early November. This application will catalyze one last frenzy of root growth and really give your plants some staying power through the cold months.
If done too early you could be inviting damage from the winter weather, such as snow mold. The best time to fertilize can depend on the climate, but typically September and October are usually the best months to apply fall fertilizer.
The best time to make late fall applications of lawn fertilizer is typically in November or the very beginning of December when the grass stops actively growing or has slowed down to the point of not needing to be mowed.
Ideally, you'll want to mow and rake before fertilizing, so that excess lawn waste is removed and the fertilizer will have an easier time reaching the soil.
Applying fertilizer in the wrong season can cause increased tender new growth that can be damaged, especially if applied in cold weather in late fall or in winter. So it is best to stop fertilizing during dormant seasons. Additionally, in zones that can be in danger of a late freeze, it's best to wait until mid-spring.
Generally speaking, you should fertilize your lawn at least twice a year to ensure good overall health and keep your grass looking its greenest. But if you fertilize at the wrong time or over-treat your lawn, you could encourage weed growth, or possibly burn the grass.
We recommend waiting 24 hours after fertilizing to water your lawn, which will give the fertilizer time to settle. After the 24 hours are up, it's important to give it a good soak—not just a quick spritz with your hose—to activate the fertilizer and help the critical nutrients absorb into the soil.
You should fertilize your lawn a day or so after a light rain or using a sprinkler. This prevents the application from being washed away. The moisture gets your soil damp and ready to receive nutrients. Do not apply fertilizer before or after heavy rains.
When it's October, people often wonder if it is too late to plant new seed. The good news is if you hurry, seed can still be planted in October with the hope that it will survive the upcoming winter. Although September is the best time, often we can still plant grass seed up to October 15 with good results.
Fall is the best time. The autumn season comes with a mix of warm soil and cool air, perfect for planting grass seed and allowing time for new grass roots to develop before winter sets in. It is also a good time to fertilize to build stronger, deeper roots for winter, resulting in a thicker, greener lawn next spring.
The right time to apply fertilizer is when the grass is growing more roots than blades. In the Northeast and Northwest, that's usually in the fall. In the South and Southwest, it's in the late spring. So in cooler climes, don't even think about it until Labor Day.
Apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
If you want your lawn to look better and be healthier, fertilize in the fall.
“Once spring arrives, your lawn will quickly tap into these nutrients for a beautiful burst of green. In fact, a lawn fed twice in the fall will stay green longer into winter and be the first to green up in the spring.”
Rain After Fertilizer -- Granular Applications
If you have a lawn care professional apply granular fertilizer or granular insecticide to your lawn, there's no need to panic if it starts raining afterward. Granular fertilizer and insecticide applications need to be watered in. This activates the product.
You've Watered after Fertilizing — Now What? After this initial watering, avoid watering your lawn for a couple days so the nutrients can settle in. Then, return to your regular lawn-watering schedule, and remember these tips: Don't water every day.
The very best time for lawn fertilization is in the spring, when the soil temperature—not the air temperature—reaches 55º Fahrenheit.
As it turns out, the answer may vary depending on your lifestyle. But in general, early morning or late evening are both good times to apply fertilizer. If you're not sure when is best for your specific plants, ask an expert at your local garden center.
No matter which kind of grass, you want to fertilize your lawn while it's actively growing. For cool-season grasses, that means in spring and/or fall. Warm-season grasses respond best when fertilized in late spring and/or early summer.
You can usually apply most non-liquid granular fertilizers to wet grass, but not saturated ground. If there are ponds or heavy rain, it's best to wait until the ground processes the water before applying any type of fertilizer. If there's light rain, it's okay to spread dry granular fertilizer.
If your lawn does need to be mowed and watered, make sure you schedule it for early in the day to avoid moisture evaporation and problems with disease. Don't water your grass before mowing. Wet grass tends to clump together on the lawn which could suffocate the grass underneath or promote fungal growth.
It's best to wait for wet grass to dry before mowing. Wet grass clippings can clog your mower, causing it to choke and spit out clumps of wet grass that could smother and kill your lawn if left unraked. It's best to wait for wet grass to dry before mowing.