Fall Lawn Fertilizer Recommendations

Fall lawn fertilizer should be heavy in nitrogen.

A fall application of lawn fertilizer is the most important treatment of the year. The University of Illinois Extension recommends applying the fertilizer around Labor Day. Use a formula with a nitrogen to phosphorus to potassium ratio of 3:1:2 or 4:1:2.

Benefits

Fall is the best time of year to fertilize the lawn.

Fertilizing the lawn in the fall brings a longer period of green into the late fall and an earlier green-up in the spring. A fall application of lawn fertilizer also provides greater disease resistance in summer.

What to Use

Soil microbes activate nutrients in slow-release fertilizers.

A quality fall lawn fertilizer should have a blend of slow-release and quick-release nitrogen. Water it in immediately after application to activate the immediate nutrients, which give a quick green-up. The slow-release ingredients provide nutrition to your lawn throughout the fall.

Winterize

Potassium helps the grass avoid damage from cold and snow.

In late October or early November, apply a winterizing fertilizer. This formula should be high in potassium to improve the winter hardiness of the lawn.

References

• "Home Hort Hints"; Fall Lawn Care; University of Illinois Extension Service; August 2002
• Virginia Cooperative Extension; Fall Lawn Care; Michael Goatley Jr., et al.; May 2009
• Colorado State University Extension; Fall Lawn Care; Tony Koski; September 2010
• University of Minnesota Extension; Fertilizing Lawns; C.J. Rosen, et al.; 2006