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When it comes to feeding your lawn, timing matters.
One of the most important things you can do for your lawn is to fertilize it. A well-fed lawn is healthier, which means it has a better root system to combat heat, cold, drought, mowing, foot traffic, and other stresses. While feeding your lawn once a year will improve its condition, feeding it 4 times a year will make it even healthier and more beautiful.
Turn your lawn into the best on the block by putting it on this fertilizer schedule. (Be sure to follow all label directions.) Or, make things extra simple for yourself by signing up for our personalized, subscription-based ScottsĀ® Lawn Care Program. We'll ask you a few easy questions about your grass and yard, then send you just the right fertilizers at just the right time to apply them. Either way, be sure you've got a good spreader to help make application a breeze! The compact, easy-to-operate ScottsĀ® Whirlā¢ Hand-Powered Spreader is a great option for small yards. (Get more info on choosing the right spreader.)
Your lawn wakes up hungry in the spring! Fertilizing it strengthens roots and gets it off to a good start.
Apply early spring lawn fertilizer once between February and April, when your grass is starting to green up and begin to actively grow (around the time your lawn first needs to be mowed).
By this point your grass is busy and using up stored energy, so you need to keep it well-nourished.
Apply late spring lawn fertilizer once between April and June, 6 to 8 weeks after the early spring feeding.
Summer is tough on grass, thanks to heat, drought, foot traffic, and insects. Fertilizing helps protect and strengthen it.
Apply summer lawn fertilizer once between June and August, 6 to 8 weeks after the late spring feeding.
Your lawn is looking for the nutrients it needs to recover from summer damage while getting ready for its winter nap. Doing your fall lawn fertilization now will strengthen roots and increase nitrogen storage for a healthy, green lawn next spring.
Apply fall lawn fertilizer once between August and November, right before winter hits, 6 to 8 weeks after the summer feeding.