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The Daily Insight

What fertilizer should you use in the fall

Author

Isabella Wilson

Published Mar 02, 2026

While this fall lawn fertilizer dose is important, an application at the end of October or early November is essential. At that time, apply a fertilizer with a formula of 13-25-12. The push of phosphorus will stimulate root growth through November and even into early December.

What is the best fertilizer to apply in the fall?

Nitrogen applied in the fall is the most important lawn fertilization of the year,” says Robert Cox, Colorado Sate University Cooperative Extension Agent. “Use a high-nitrogen fertilizer, such as 25-5-5, or something with a similar formula.”

When should I fertilize my lawn in the fall?

Apply fall lawn fertilizer 2 to 3 weeks before the ground freezes. To find an exact date, look for the first frost date in your area. That date is typically a good time to fertilize since the ground hasn’t frozen yet. More generally, mid-October is a good time to apply lawn fertilizer.

What fertilizer do you put down in October?

Be sure to continue to feed your cool-season lawn in October with a fast-release nitrogen fertilizer. For nitrogen blitz, you can use low nitrogen fertilizer or a high nitrogen fertilizer (ideally the latter like a 46-0-0 urea nitrogen), as long as you’re applying a total of 1 lb.

Is it too late to fertilize my lawn in November?

Timing is everything when it comes to late fall fertilization. You should wait until the grass has stopped growing and rarely needs mowing. It’s okay if your grass still has some active growth, but it should be slow enough that you don’t need to mow it. However, you don’t want to wait so long that the ground freezes.

How late can you fertilize in fall?

Fall Fertilizer Timing When to do it depends on where you live. For the majority of cool-season lawn owners, apply fertilizer anywhere from September through early November. The further north you garden, the sooner you’ll feed your lawn.

Can I use Scotts triple action in the fall?

Do not apply this product more than twice a year. Allow at least a 4-month interval between applications of this product. A fall application may be made to control fall-germinating winter weeds and cool season perennial weeds such as dandelion and clover.

Can I use starter fertilizer in the fall?

Overseeding starter fertilizer and fall fertilizer both have high percentages of phosphorus to promote healthy root growth. Applying a fall fertilizer at the time of planting may harm your newly planted yard, because a high percentage of nitrogen burns grass seedlings. …

When should I apply Scotts fall fertilizer?

Timing: Apply fall lawn fertilizer once between August and November, right before winter hits, 6 to 8 weeks after the summer feeding. Apply the Scotts® Turf Builder® Annual Program Fall product now if you’ve been following that regimen.

What is the best Winterizer fertilizer?

If you’re looking for an organic option, there are good ones out there, like Espoma Organic Fall Winterizer. If you live in a state that allows the application of phosphorus on lawns, look for a fertilizer with 4 percent or more of it, such as The Andersons Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer + Humic DG.

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Can I use spring lawn fertilizer in the fall?

Using a lawn food made for spring feeding will not harm your fall lawn, but it will not be as beneficial as a “fall and winter” lawn food that has more slow-release nitrogen. … Then, when spring arrives, the warm soil releases the nutrients and the early spring growth of the grass helps to crowd out weeds.

Should I aerate my lawn in the fall?

The most beneficial thing you can do for your lawn in the Fall to assure a healthy yard with less effort in the Spring is aeration and seeding. Aerating and dethatching are best done when a lawn can take some abuse and recover easily. Fall is perfect due to the cool air temperatures and warm soil temperatures.

Can you Fertilise lawn in winter?

There are benefits to fertilising your lawn during winter, but it isn’t the same fertiliser that you would use during the months of the year where your lawn is actively growing. Once soil temperatures drop below 14 degrees Celsius your grass will start to slow down and go semi-dormant for the cool months ahead.

When should I apply Scotts Step 3?

Give your lawn a mid-season boost with an application of Step® 3. Apply in the summer, between June and August. Step® 3 feeds and strengthens the lawn against heat and drought, guaranteed.

Should you fertilize or seed first in the fall?

Most landscaping professionals agree that it is always best to fertilize the soil first if you are seeding a new lawn. It is also recommended to conduct a soil test so that you select the appropriate fertilizer.

Does Scotts Summerguard burned lawn?

Scotts Turf Builder Summerguard Lawn Food with Insect Control is your remedy against summer lawn stresses like heat and insects. … Summerguard feeds and strengthens against heat and drought by improving your lawn’s ability to absorb water and nutrients. And, it won’t burn your lawn – guaranteed!

What should I add to my garden soil in the fall?

What to add? Compost, raw organic matter, and organic nutrients. Autumn is a good time to improve your soil by adding raw organic matter, such as shredded leaves.

What is a good starter fertilizer?

Our Top Picks for Starter Fertilizers: Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grass (4.9 / 5 rating) GreenView 2131254 Starter Fertilizer (4.8 / 5 rating) Jonathan Green Green Up Seeding & Sodding Lawn Fertilizer (4.8 / 5 rating) Lesco Professional Starter Fertilizer, 18-24-12 (4.7 / 5 rating)

Can Scotts Turf Builder be used in the fall?

Fall is the best time to feed with Scotts® Turf Builder® WinterGuard® Fall Lawn Food. … The lawn food is formulated to deliver the nutrients lawns need in the fall to repair damage from the heat, drought and activity of the summer, ensuring stronger grass in the spring.

Will Scotts fall fertilizer burn grass?

Scotts® granular Lawn Foods are slow-release products, meaning the nutrients are released slowly to the lawn. Microbes in the soil are able to break down the nitrogen in the particles over time, thereby releasing nutrients slowly and steadily over a6-8 week period, which means no lawn burn.

Is it too late to seed my lawn in October?

When it’s October, people often wonder if it is too late to plant new seed. The good news is if you hurry, seed can still be planted in October with the hope that it will survive the upcoming winter. Although September is the best time, often we can still plant grass seed up to October 15 with good results.

What's the difference between fall and spring fertilizer?

Fall and spring lawn fertilizers are very different formulas because they serve very different purposes. In the fall, your goal is to help your lawn charge up nutrients and conserve them through the dormant period. In the spring, fertilizer is used to help the lawn bounce back to life and grow rapidly.

What is the difference between starter fertilizer and regular fertilizer?

Regular fertilizer contains nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and phosphorous (P). Starter fertilizers emphasize phosphorous, the most critical ingredient for root growth in seedlings, according to Penn State.

What is winter fertilizer?

A winterizer is a late fall fertilizer application designed to help lawns store more food for winter survival, and to encourage thick and rapid growth and rooting in the spring. … The best time to apply a winterizer is after the grass stops growing in the fall, while it is still green on top and active below the surface.

Do I need Winterizer fertilizer?

Most lawn care experts are adamant that winterizer fertilizer is the most important of all fertilizers. Winterizer helps the roots of the grass absorb and store nutrients. The roots continue to grow until the ground eventually freezes.

What should I use to winterize my lawn?

Many lawn care experts recommend that if you choose to fertilize your cool-season lawn only once each year that you should do so in fall. The lawn fertilizer typically available in fall is called winterizer fertilizer. In most locations, you should aim to apply winterizer fertilizer in October or November.

How many times should you fertilize your lawn a year?

A full feeding is recommended at least 5-6 times per year. You want to feed your lawn when it’s growing most rapidly. However, you should base the frequency on your climate and the type of grass you have. For example, cool season grasses can be fertilized in late spring, but only if necessary.

Can I use summer lawn fertilizer in the fall?

Ideally, two fertilizer applications are best for fall lawns. The early treatment should be applied between late August and early September to help the lawn recover from extensive summer use and heat damage. A slow-release fertilizer is best at this time, and will nourish the lawn for several weeks.

What can I put on my grass in October?

Apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer. If you want your lawn to look better and be healthier, fertilize in the fall. This process will give your lawn plenty of nutrients to get it through the winter and help the grass grow stronger in spring.

What is the best month to aerate your lawn?

When to Aerate Your Lawn You want to aerate the lawn when your grass is in its peak growing period so it can recover quickly—think early spring or fall for cool-season grasses, and late spring through early summer for warm-season grasses.

Is it OK to fertilize before aerating?

Fertilizer works best when it reaches deep into the soil where the grass roots can access it, so plan to aerate before applying fertilizer to create the holes needed for fertilizer to sink deeply. Watering.