Tips to Fertilize Your Lawn in November

Proper fertilization will create a thick, healthy lawn.

Proper fertilization is crucial to a healthy lawn. Providing adequate fertilizer will make your lawn lush, green and thick. Thoughtful care before the winter season can provide for your lawn for the year to come.

Importance

Fall is the best time to fertilize a lawn. Though many homeowners aren't thinking ahead to spring at this time, a fall fertilization will be much more effective in producing a thick, healthy lawn the following year than a spring fertilization will be.

Types

The majority of lawn types, including bluegrass, ryegrass, fall fescue, and tall fescue, will benefit from an application of fertilizer in November. However, buffalo grass, Bermuda grass, and blue grama do not require fertilization in the autumn.

Amount

One pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in the November application will provide adequate nutrition for most lawns. Nitrogen is the most important nutrient for healthy lawns.

Timing

The best time to apply fertilizer to your lawn in November is about two weeks after your final mowing for the season.

References

• Colorado State University Extension; Lawn Care; T. Koski, et al.; December 2003
• Cornell University; Fertilizing Lawns; Dec. 7, 2010