How to Fertilize Your Lawn the Right Way for Healthy, Thriving Grass

As the old saying goes, the grass is always greener—but only if you remember to fertilize it.

Fertilizing your lawn will help strengthen the grass and provide it with the right nutrients so it can grow even healthier—it also prevents weeds from emerging. A dense, healthy lawn leaves no room for these pesky invaders, and fertilizer plays a key role in creating that sort of environment.

So how should you go about fertilizing your lawn for best results? We spoke with experts about everything you need to know and how to set your grass up for long-term success.

Types of Fertilizer

Before you start, it's important to determine what type of fertilizer to use. Ultimately, the right kind depends on your soil, so it's always a good idea to do a soil test before you start. This will help you determine the nutrients that may be lacking.

Most fertilizers contain nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (NPK). According to Lou Manfredini, a home expert at Ace Hardware, nitrogen helps keep the lawn looking green, phosphorous helps the roots, and potassium is beneficial for overall grass health.

"If you’re unsure, a balanced, slow-release fertilizer with a moderate amount of nitrogen and added potassium is a safe choice for most lawns," says Craig Elworthy, founder of Lawnbright.

A slow-release formula is generally recommended as it delivers nutrients gradually over time, so there's less risk of excess application or runoff. Beyond nutrients, you'll also want to consider how your fertilizer will be applied.

"Granular fertilizers are the most common and easiest to apply evenly," says Susan McIntosh, president of Lawn Pride. "Liquid fertilizers act quickly but usually require more frequent applications."

Most lawns won't need a high concentration of any one particular nutrient, so focus on a balanced formula and an even application instead.

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When to Fertilize

Timing depends entirely on the type of grass you have growing in your lawn and when it's actively growing. Cool-season grasses, which are more common in northern states, primarily grow in early spring and fall. Elworthy recommends fertilizing in the spring "after your second mow of the season."

Hot-season grasses, by contrast, are more common in southern states and will flourish when fertilized from late spring through summer. Wait until the lawn is "fully green and actively growing," says Manfredini.

It's important to keep grass type in mind, as fertilizing during the wrong time of year can have negative side effects, including stress and increased disease risk.

Time of day doesn't make as big of a difference as the overall season, but Elworthy recommends fertilizing early in the day or late in the afternoon if you're using liquid fertilizer. For granular fertilizer, it doesn't matter very much.

Preparing Your Lawn

In order to ensure an even application, it's important to first prepare your lawn. "Rake, rake, and then when you're done rake some more," says Manfredini. "Removing the debris from your lawn and garden is the best starting point."

Elworthy recommends mowing your lawn beforehand, especially if you plan on using a liquid fertilizer. Many of these products are absorbed through the leaf blade, so an even surface area can help improve their effectiveness.

How to Fertilize

Your approach will depend on whether you're using a liquid fertilizer or a granular fertilizer. The latter is fairly straightforward. Simply use a calibrated drop or broadcast spreader, and apply the fertilizer evenly to the lawn in overlapping passes.

"Avoid sidewalks and driveways, and sweep any excess product back onto the lawn," adds McIntosh. Make sure to water afterwards—this will help the nutrients settle into the soil.

Liquid fertilizer application is a similar process. Simply connect the fertilizer bottle to a hose, says Elworthy—then spray it evenly on your lawn, making overlapping passes if necessary.

He recommends watering your lawn 12 hours after application. Ideally, you can fertilize before it's supposed to rain, so the product will settle in naturally.

Regardless of your application method, make sure not to apply too much fertilizer at once. An even, careful distribution is always best. Excess fertilizer can "burn the grass, damage the soil, and create more work when it comes to repairs," says Manfredini.