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When and How to Fertilize

Cool-climate grasses require different fertilizing schedules than warm-climate grasses. Before you fertilize, it’s important to understand what type of grass you’re growing because they will have very different growing cycles. Cool climate grasses (Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryes, bentgrass, and fescues), grow best in northern climates. They grow earlier in the spring and stay green longer into the fall. When summer temperatures rise above 80 degrees F, they go dormant, and on scorching days, the blades will turn brown. This is a natural part of their growing cycle. The best time to fertilize these varieties is in the fall because they need all the food they can get after being dormant all summer. The next best time to fertilize is late spring when the grass’ winter food storage is all used up. Avoid fertilizing your lawn when it’s dormant during the heat of the summer. Warm climate grasses (buffalo grass, bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, blue grama grass), thrive in areas with hot summers and mild winters. They stay green during the hot months but go dormant and turn brown during the winter. They grow prolifically during the summer months creating their own food with sun and water and then storing it for the winter. To encourage this growth, fertilize in small doses from early spring to late summer. Do not fertilize in the fall or winter when the grass is dormant because this will encourage weeds, not grass. Chemical fertilizers feed our grass, but they do nothing to enrich the soil and promote healthy soil life. Chemicals typically stimulate growth that is too lush, too wimpy and too vulnerable to disease and insects. Organic fertilizers release nutrients slowly over time to provide long-term nutrition and build soil life. They also provide vital trace elements, and nutrients that your lawn needs in minute quantities. Leave your grass clippings where they fall. You’ll add free nutrients to the soil and stimulate biological activity. If the clippings are thick, wet and smothering, lawn rake them up and compost them for later application to the soil.