Since the winter season is coming to an end, it’s time to think about revitalizing your lawn for spring. But when are the best times to fertilize to get the greatest results? While a calendar day would make things a breeze, no specific date is best for fertilizing your lawn. However, several factors can help you decide when the most efficient time is to feed your turf. Here’s everything you need to consider when deciding when to fertilize your Connecticut lawn, Massachusetts lawn, or Rhode Island lawn.

Fertilize in the early & late spring to jump-start the growing season.

The first time in the year to feed your lawn is with an early spring application with crabgrass prevention. An early season fertilizing can help your lawn achieve a quick green-up and build a robust, healthy root system all while helping to prevent ugly crabgrass from invading later in the season. A spring application helps your grass recover from winter by strengthening its roots. Not only will this help your lawn with nutrient and water uptake, but it will also keep your grass formidable in harsher summer conditions.

In addition, spring fertilizing helps maintain that desirable green hue throughout the growing season. Nitrogen, a crucial macronutrient in lawn fertilizers, assists your grass in photosynthesizing by aiding in chlorophyll production. As a result, chlorophyll can be thanked for creating that rich green color all beautiful lawns have. So, by encouraging chlorophyll production, you’ll see a significant improvement in your lawn’s color.

Fertilize in the early & late summer to maintain its green growth.

A slow-release application of summer fertilizer helps lawns recover from summer stress without overwhelming your turf. It supplies a steady release of nutrients into the soil below, so your grass can use them within weeks rather than receiving an overpowering dose of supplements under summer conditions.

Summer can deal a tremendous amount of stress on your turf. Hot summers may produce dry drought conditions leaving your grass weakened. A light fertilizer application boosts your lawn to maintain steady growth for the remainder of the growing season and stay vibrant throughout fall. At this time many grassy weeds and broadleaf weeds will encroach in thin and bare areas. Be prepared to eradicate these pesty weeds before they take over.

Summer heat can allow insects to invade, like chinch bugs. It is important to schedule applications no more than 6 -8 weeks apart. Why? Because insects like chinchbugs can destroy a lawn pretty fast. Scouting will be a vital part of best practices.

Fertilize in the fall to prepare for winter dormancy.

Fall is one of the most critical times to fertilize your lawn. For one, autumn fertilizing helps lawns continue to recover from summer stress. Secondly, a pre-winter fertilizer, also known as a winterizer, provides your lawn with a formula specialized in preparing your grass for dormancy. When grass goes dormant, it conserves nutrients and water within its roots. However, in the spring, the lawn goes full-force into using those nutrients to bounce back and resume growth. A winterizer provides those nutrients and assists in the energy-consuming process of waking up come springtime.

Before fertilizing in the early spring or late autumn, be cautious of fertilizing when the soil is frozen or if the grass is frosted. A good rule of thumb is fertilizing when soil temperatures are over 55॰F. This practice ensures the granules can break down and seep into the soil. Otherwise, the fertilizer won’t reach your grass roots in frozen ground. A kitchen thermometer is an easy way to check the soil temperature. Leave a digital thermometer in the soil for five minutes, and if the gauge reads higher than 55॰F, you should be safe to fertilize.

We’re rooting for your flourishing lawn this spring!

Finding the best time to fertilize your lawn can be tricky, but with the help of local lawn care experts like MissionGreen, you don’t have to worry about the fine details. Lawn care pros are trained to identify the best times in the season to apply a fertilizer that will best benefit your lawn. Plus, professional fertilizing services are tailored to your lawn’s needs. So before taking on the tall task yourself, reach out to your local lawn care company and see how they can maximize your fertilizing efforts.

MissionGreen is dedicated to providing stellar lawn care and pest control services to Chicopee and beyond. So if your lawn needs a nutrient boost for spring, our lawn care program has just the thing. Please email us at getgreen@missiongreenservices.com or contact us here to learn how we can jumpstart your lawn growth this season.