Is March Too Early to Fertilize Your Lawn? Here's What the Experts Say

As soon as the snow fades and temperatures start to warm up, it's normal to be eager for your grass to bounce back as soon as possible. But as tempting as it might be to fertilize your lawn when the first signs of spring arrive, being patient will lead to healthier turf as the season progresses. Fertilizing too soon can lead to runoff and introduce pests and diseases to your lawn. Before fertilizing in March, consider this advice from lawn care experts.

Can You Fertilize Your Lawn in March?

Fertilizing your grass with a nitrogen-based fertilizer in March is recommended only in the southernmost parts of the country, where lawns never go dormant. "Lawns across most of the country are just beginning to wake up from winter dormancy in the month of March, so applying fertilizer is a waste," says Craig Elworthy, founder of Lawnbright. "The lawn won’t be ready for nitrogen-based fertilizer for a few months, so an application now would only run off into local waterways."

If you live in a cooler climate and are adamant about fertilizing in March, Elworthy recommends applying an organic slow-release fertilizer. "This will gradually break down over time," he says. "However, instead of fertilizing at this time of year, we recommend applying a pre-emergent in the month of March. This will help prevent weeds later on in the summer."

The Best Time to Fertilize Your Lawn

When you fertilize your lawn depends on where you live and the type of grass you have. For cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass and fescues, the ideal time to fertilize is in the fall. For warm-season grasses, like Bermuda grass and centipede grass, Elworthy recommends fertilizing in late spring and summer. 

Cons of Fertilizing Too Early

As eager as you may be to see lush green grass in your landscape, fertilizing too early is a waste of time and money. "Fertilizing your lawn too early in the year can stimulate growth before the grass’s root system is active, making it more susceptible to frost damage and resulting in weaker, shallower roots," says Jason McCausland, Technical Coordinator at Weed Man.

In northern climates, soil temperatures remain low, and roots may struggle to absorb nutrients. "This can lead to fertilizer runoff and wasted product, depending on the type of product. Early fertilization can also lead to early weed growth, creating future issues for timed seasonal applications," says McCausland. 

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Cons of Fertilizing Too Late 

That said, waiting to fertilize has its own set of risks. "Fertilizing at the wrong time or later than you should can reduce effectiveness and leave your lawn vulnerable to weeds or lawn disease," says  Brian Feldman, senior director of technical operations at TruGreen. 

When your lawn doesn’t get the nutrients it needs to thrive early in the year, it has a hard time recovering from winter damage, says McCausland. This leaves it more susceptible to pests and diseases. Additionally, turf that lacks nutrients won’t be as thick, making weeds more likely to break through. 

Fertilizing Tips 

Keep these tips in mind when fertilizing your lawn to ensure it flourishes year after year.

• Measure your lawn: Many fertilizers include application recommendations on the bag based on the size of your lawn, so roughly measure it to calculate the correct dosage, says Feldman.
• Water your lawn: Watering your lawn after fertilizing is essential. "Fertilizers that contain nitrogen are volatile and will gas off into the atmosphere if they’re left to sit on the lawn," says Elworthy. "Watering it in right away prevents this, and helps get the nutrients down to the root zone, where they’re most effective."
• Consider natural fertilizers: Instead of harsh synthetic fertilizers, consider using a natural alternative. "Using natural, slow-release products that are low in nitrogen and contain organic material will improve soil health over time and reduce waste," says Elworthy.