What is the Best Time of Day to Fertilize Lawn?

When you are fertilizing your lawn, make sure you read the instructions on the back of your fertilizer. Lots of granular and slow-release formulas will require water to get them started. This may dictate when you fertilize your lawn.

If you are applying fertilizer yourself at home, the best way to do this is by using a spreader. A spreader allows for even application, and you can control the rate of the release of fertilizer. Spread half your fertilizer from one end of your lawn to the other.

Then spread the other half at right angles to your first spread; this helps get even coverage.

When is the best time to fertilize your lawn?

There are a few “do’s and don’ts” when it comes to the best time of day to fertilize your lawn. It’s best not to fertilize your lawn when the weather is sweltering and sunny.

High heat can cause the grass to dry out completely, and the fertilizer may burn your grass. The hottest part of the day is midday when the sun is high in the sky, so the ideal time of day to fertilize your lawn is in the afternoon.

Schedule

To maintain a healthy and attractive looking lawn, you will need to think about a lawn fertilizing schedule. If you don’t fertilize enough, your grass might be thin and lacking in color.

If you fertilize too much, your grass may be patchy in areas where you have applied too much fertilizer. Your lawn may also be more susceptible to damage from disease or insects.

Maintaining a fertilizing schedule will mean you can get enough fertilizer on in the season.

Over-fertilizing your lawn will mean the grass will grow very quickly, and you will need to mow your lawn much more frequently. The trick is to find the balance between fertilizing and mowing.

Warm Season Grasses Lawn Fertilizing Schedule

Cool Season Grasses Lawn Care Schedule	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
Pre-Emergent		yes	yes	yes	yes			yes	yes	yes	yes
Post-Emergent				yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Fertilization			yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Mowing			yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Watering			yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Aeration						yes	yes	yes
Dethatching			yes	yes	yes

Cool Season Grasses Lawn Fertilizing Schedule

Cool Season Grasses Lawn Care Schedule	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
Pre-Emergent		yes	yes	yes				yes	yes	yes	yes
Post-Emergent				yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Fertilization			yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Mowing			yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Watering			yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Aeration						yes	yes	yes
Dethatching			yes	yes	yes

How often to fertilize the lawn

You should first feed your lawn in the spring; your grass is about to start growing, and the temperatures are increasing.

Fertilizing a lawn in spring will kick start growth, and you will be on your way to a healthy lawn. If you are prone to late frost in your area, try your best to fertilize after the final frost. Frost can damage the grass once you have fertilized and encouraged new growth.

About four weeks after your first application of fertilizer, you should apply again. Then, throughout summer, you should continue to fertilize your lawn every six to eight weeks. Five applications should take you through to autumn, and you should finish fertilizing your lawn around October.

After fertilizing your lawn, make sure you water the granules into the grass. If you don’t do this, the next time you mow your lawn, you will disturb the fertilizer.

Set your mower to a taller cutting length to as not to undo all the hard work you have done fertilizing your lawn! The best-rated lawn mowers will allow you to adjust the cutting height.