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.
In most regions, October is not too late for fall fertilizer, and you can even put fall fertilizer down in November in many places.
Can I put too much fertilizer on my lawn? There is the idea of “too much of a good thing,” and that definitely applies when it comes to fertilizing your lawn! Applying too much fertilizer to your lawn will cause the nitrogen and salt levels in the soil to increase rapidly, which can damage or even kill the grass.
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.
Don't apply winterizer too late—Generally, winter fertilizer should be applied in November or earlier, depending on your climate. Try to avoid applying in early December, as the nutrients within the formula may not take hold in time to protect the grass from the harsh conditions.
This means the temperature can't be below freezing, so the task is typically handled sometime in early November in most places in the north. If you live in a warmer area, however, December can be a great time to fertilize your lawn.
Apply Scotts® Turf Builder® WinterGuard® Fall Weed & Feed3 on a calm day when weeds are actively growing and temperatures are consistently between 60°F and 90°F. Make sure your grass is moist from dew or sprinkling, as this helps particles adhere to weed leaves to produce the best results.
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.
Timing is Everything
Applying a fertilizer too late after the first frost can result in chemical burns, root damage, and blade damage. Ask your local lawn care professional when your area is ready for application if you're not completely sure.
Contrary to popular opinion, fall is the best time of the year for lawn care. Fertilization, weed and thatch control, establishment of new lawns, and renovation of poor quality lawns should be done over the next few weeks. Your most successful seeding time is right around Labor Day.
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. Aerating your soil before fertilizing can also help; the best times to aerate are when your grass is actively growing, such as in spring or early fall.
Watering after fertilizing washes the fertilizer off of the grass blades and into the soil, where it can get to work nourishing your lawn. It's also important because if fertilizer sits too long without being watered in, it can burn the grass.
Rain After Fertilizer -- Granular Applications
Granular fertilizer and insecticide applications need to be watered in. This activates the product. Slow-release granular fertilizer is not easily washed away and doesn't dissolve quickly in water. So rain after fertilizer is actually a good thing.
While the best method for determining exactly how much fertilizer is needed is a soil analysis conducted by a laboratory, most cool-season grasses require 2 to 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet each year, and a majority of this nitrogen should be applied in two fall applications; one in September and the other ...
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.
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.
Fertilizer should not be applied to already frozen ground since it will not do any good to the lawn. Worse still, the unabsorbed nitrogen and nutrients will likely leach back into the water system. The best time to apply winterizer is in late fall, about three weeks before the ground is frozen.
Don't fertilize when it's winter or early spring
The ideal temperature to fertilize your lawn is 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Any lower than this, your lawn will struggle to maintain nutrients.
Jonathan Green Winter Survival is the best fall lawn fertilizer overall, and my top recommendation for fertilizing at this time of year. With a 10-0-20 NPK ratio, it has a generous serving of potassium which can aid in quickly repairing summer damage, and which will improve turf health going into the winter.
Early fall fertilizers should be a 20-8-8 formula, while a late fall fertilizer application might require 13-25-12 mixture. These suggestions can be adjusted according to your grass type, lawn issues and on your landscaper's recommendations.
“Farmers and custom applicators normally have more time to apply fertilizer in the fall than during the busy planting season, and the soil conditions are generally less wet and more conducive to being in the field with less risk for compacting soils than in spring.”
Fall is the best time to feed with Scotts® Turf Builder® WinterGuard® Fall Lawn Food. This fall fertilizer builds strong, deep grass roots for a better lawn next spring, delivering the nutrients needed to help recover from damage caused by summer heat, drought, and activity.
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. In most parts of the North, this will be sometime in mid-late November, or even early December.
This will help promote strong root growth for a better lawn next spring, while killing many broadleaf weeds. In the North, give grass a headstart on strong root growth by using Scotts® Turf Builder® WinterGuard® Fall Lawn Food twice in the fall: once around Labor Day and a second time 6 to 8 weeks later.
I have just always thought that you fertilize when a plant is actively growing to help it along or right before it starts actively growing. But fertilizing in winter (or late fall depending on your climate) can actually offer nutrients to strengthen roots (that do often continue to grow in winter despite dormancy.)