Fertilize. Apply an application of Milorganite® around the 4th of July (northern grasses). A summer application of Milorganite will continue to give your lawn the nutrients it needs. Milorganite will not burn your lawn even in the hottest temperatures and driest conditions.
Apply fertilizer to high traffic areas with a 32-0-4 mix. This will feed your lawn throughout the summer, strengthening grass blades, enabling them to recover faster from heat and drought.
Timing: Apply summer lawn fertilizer once between June and August, 6 to 8 weeks after the late spring feeding. Following the Scotts® Turf Builder® Annual Program? Apply the Summer product now to help make the most of each watering and encourage deep root growth.
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.
In Summer: Apply Scotts® Turf Builder® Annual Program Summer
To keep your lawn thick and green during the hot summer months, apply Scotts® Turf Builder® Annual Program Summer between June and August. The Summer product helps your lawn maximize water usage by driving water into the soil (so there's less runoff).
Fall Lawn Care: September–November
The most important time to fertilize your lawn is in the fall to help you lawn develop a strong root system. Apply 1.5 to 2.5 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
Scotts® granular Lawn Foods are slow-release products, meaning the nutrients are released slowly to the lawn. Microbes in the soil are able to break down the nitrogen in the particles over time, thereby releasing nutrients slowly and steadily over a 6-8 week period, which means no lawn burn.
Mid to late JULY (6 weeks later) – late summer fertilizer – 25-0-5 – 50% slow release. Early to mid SEPTEMBER (6 weeks later) – early fall fertilizer - 25-0-5 or 32-0-6 slow release. NOVEMBER (6 weeks later) – winter fertilizer – 32-0-6 – slow release.
Warm season grasses should be fertilized from the time of green up in spring through September. So, if your lawn is a warm season grass go ahead and fertilize in summer to keep it nice and green. (About a pound of nitrogen for every thousand square feet every 4 to 6 weeks should do it.)
Drought Stress
Like any plant, grass reacts to summer's high temperatures and lack of water with wilting, browning, or even death. Here's how to detect drought stress: Locate a brown patch, and pull on the grass. If it won't pull easily from soil and is firmly rooted, it's likely brown due to drought.
Apply to a dry lawn in the summertime when insect activity or damage is first observed. We recommend using a Scotts® spreader to apply this product.
I'll address some of the recent weather conditions around the country but in general, if you are able to keep your lawn irrigated during the summer and therefore not allow it to slip into summer dormancy, you can continue to fertilize every 4 weeks or so.
The best fertilizer ratios for summer are 6-0-0, 15-0-8, and 10-0-4. These ratios will keep your grass strong and healthy while avoiding fertilizer burn in the heat. Before you get any further in your search for the best fertilizer ratio for your summer turf, you must make sure that you know the type of grass you have.
If the lawn is adequately watered and you're still getting yellow, brown, or rust colored grass, it's time to fertilize. #2: Your grass grows very slowly. Depending on the type of grass you have in your lawn, you should expect between half an inch to several inches of growth each week.
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.
1. Water your lawn a few days before fertilizing so your soil is ready to accept the fertilizer. 2. Following the directions on the bag, pour the fertilizer into your spreader and adjust the spreader settings.
It's your lawn's way of conserving energy and water, Mann explains. The grass will break dormancy and begin growing again when the temperatures and/or rainfall levels become more ideal for it. Note that when dormancy ends, grass leaves that have turned brown won't revive, but new leaves will appear.
Dozens of diseases and fungi can turn your lawn brown. This time of year, when watering is in full swing and there's often high humidity, fungus is everywhere. One common moisture-loving fungus, brown patch, usually hangs out in the soil munching decomposing plant matter.
It's a common misconception that watering dead grass will bring it back to life. The truth is, when you water dead grass, it can actually make the situation worse. It can cause the roots in the ground to rot and decompose faster than they would if left alone.
Mowing actually helps make your grass grow thicker because the tip of each blade contains hormones that suppress horizontal growth. When you cut the lawn, you remove these tips allowing the grass to spread and grow thicker near the roots.
Aerate and Overseed Your Lawn When Needed
Water and nutrients need to reach lawn roots in order to lead to thicker and greener grass. Over time, lawns can become compact, whether it's from traffic or harsh weather, limiting this easy access of water and nutrients. The solution is annual aeration.