One or two applications of fertilizer each year is enough for the average lawn. Spring and early fall are the best times to fertilize. It's not necessary to fertilize heavily in early spring. This just causes the lawn to grow faster and need mowing more often. It is preferable, to wait until the middle of May to fertilize. If your lawn is in bad shape from heavy traffic, snow mold or other over wintering causes and needs help, you may want to fertilize in late April. Avoid applying fertilizer from early July to mid August.

The average lawn requires about four pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of area each year. You shouldn't apply more than two pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,00 square feet at one time. This amounts to 10 pounds of a 20-10-5 fertilizer or six pounds of 34-0-0. For best results always use a fertilizer spreader. Trying to spread fertilizer evenly by hand is almost impossible. Don't apply fertilizer to wet grass. It's much better to apply fertilizer on grass which is dry and then water in well. Watering in washes the fertilizer off the grass leaves without burning them. One last suggestions, don't put lime on your lawn.

This page was last updated April 2003

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