Scotts Turf Builder UltraFeed is the best lawn fertilizer for Maryland. It’s effective for six months and ideal for all grass types. Safer Brand Lawn Restore Natural Fertilizer and Scotts Turf Builder Southern Lawn Food follow behind closely.
We did extensive research to come up with this ranking, considering factors like fertilizer effectiveness, formula, and coverage area. We also included a buyer’s guide to help you choose the best fertilizer for your Maryland lawn.
| Best Lawn Fertilizers for Maryland |
| 1. Scotts Turf Builder UltraFeed |
| 2. Safer Brand Lawn Restore Natural Fertilizer |
| 3. Scotts Turf Builder Southern Lawn Food |
| 4. Espoma Organic Lawn Booster Fertilizer |
| 5. Pennington UltraGreen Weed and Feed |
1. Scotts Turf Builder UltraFeed
Scotts Turf Builder UltraFeed is an excellent choice for keeping your Maryland lawn green and healthy. It’s rich in nitrogen and contains zero phosphorus to comply with regulations. From Kentucky bluegrass to fine fescue to Bermudagrass, you can use this fertilizer on all grasses that thrive in Maryland.
This fertilizer contains a slow-release formula that’s effective for six months, and you can apply it in any season. It has an impressive coverage of 450 square feet per pound, which is the highest of all products on this list.
How to apply: Apply this fertilizer with a spreader and lightly water your lawn afterward.
Specifications
- Coverage area: 9,000 sq. ft.
- Effective period: 6 months
- Fertilizer type: Granular, slow-release, synthetic
- N-P-K: 40-0-5
- Package size: 20 lbs.
- Type of grass: All warm- and cool-season grasses
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Safe for all types of grasses ✓ Promotes healthy soil ✓ Improves health and appearance ✓ Effective for six months ✓ Slow-release formula ✓ Ideal for all four seasons ✓ Impressive coverage | ✗ Not good for soil low in phosphorus ✗ Not good for establishing new lawns |
Where to buy:
2. Safer Brand Lawn Restore Natural Fertilizer
Safer Brand Lawn Restore Natural Fertilizer should be your go-to choice if you want an organic fertilizer that can produce a green and healthy lawn. It’s safe for children and pets and complies with all Maryland regulations. You can use this fertilizer on all types of warm- and cool-season grasses.
This slow-release fertilizer continues working for up to two months, and you can apply it in any season. It covers approximately 245 square feet per pound, which is good for an organic fertilizer.
How to apply: Use a spreader to apply this fertilizer and lightly water your lawn afterward.
Specifications
- Coverage area: 5,000 sq. ft.
- Effective period: 2 months
- Fertilizer type: Granular, slow-release, organic
- N-P-K: 9-0-2
- Package size: 20.5 lbs.
- Type of grass: All warm- and cool-season grasses
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Safe for all types of grasses ✓ Promotes healthy soil ✓ Improves health and appearance ✓ Slow-release formula ✓ Ideal for all four seasons ✓ Safe for children and pets | ✗ Not good for soil low in phosphorus ✗ Not goo1d for establishing new lawns ✗ Effective for only two months ✗ Low coverage area |
Where to buy:
3. Scotts Turf Builder Southern Lawn Food
Scotts Turf Builder Southern Lawn Food is made for southern lawns but also performs exceptionally well in Maryland and contains zero phosphorus. It contains Scott’s All-in-One Particles that keeps the grass lush and healthy in hot climate. From fescues to Zoysiagrass, you can use this fertilizer on all types of grasses.
This slow-release fertilizer is effective for up to two months, and you can apply it at any time of the year. It has a coverage of approximately 357 square feet per pound.
How to apply: Apply this fertilizer using a drop or broadcast spreader and lightly water your lawn afterward.
Specifications
- Coverage area: 5,000 sq. ft.
- Effective period: 2 months
- Fertilizer type: Granular, slow-release, synthetic
- N-P-K: 32-0-10
- Package size: 14 lbs.
- Type of grass: All warm- and cool-season grasses
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Safe for all types of grasses ✓ Promotes healthy soil ✓ Improves health and appearance ✓ Slow-release formula ✓ Ideal for all four seasons | ✗ Not good for soil low in phosphorus ✗ Not good for establishing new lawns ✗ Effective for only two months |
Where to buy:
4. Espoma Organic Lawn Booster Fertilizer
This organic fertilizer contains feather meal, pasteurized poultry manure, and gypsum to produce a lush and healthy lawn. Espoma Organic Lawn Booster Fertilizer is safe for all types of cool- and warm-season grasses. It contains zero phosphorus and is also safe for your little ones.
Espoma Organic Lawn Booster Fertilizer continues working for up to two months, and you can apply it in any season. However, this formula doesn’t contain potassium, which means St. Augustinegrass and centipedegrass can take longer to grow. It covers approximately 167 square feet per pound.
How to apply: Apply this fertilizer with a spreader and lightly water your lawn afterward.
Specifications
- Coverage area: 5,000 sq. ft.
- Effective period: 2 months
- Fertilizer type: Granular, slow-release, organic
- N-P-K: 8-0-0
- Package size: 30 lbs.
- Type of grass: All warm- and cool-season grasses
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Safe for all types of grasses ✓ Promotes healthy soil ✓ Improves health and appearance ✓ Slow-release formula ✓ Ideal for all four seasons ✓ Safe for children and pets | ✗ Not good for soil low in phosphorus ✗ Not good for establishing new lawns ✗ Not the best choice for St. Augustinegrass and centipedegrass ✗ Effective for only two months ✗ Low coverage area |
Where to buy:
5. Pennington UltraGreen Weed and Feed
This nitrogen-rich fertilizer contains a slow-release formula that can keep your Maryland lawn green and healthy. You can use this fertilizer on all types of grasses except St. Augustine. It also has a herbicide that can kill over 250 weeds.
Pennington UltraGreen Weed and Feed is effective for three months and can be applied year-round. It has an exceptional coverage of 400 square feet per pound.
Note: Since this product combines weed killer and fertilizer, we recommend applying it between spring and early fall for cool-season grasses, and from late spring to early summer for warm-season grasses. Check out our guide: Is Weed and Feed Bad for Your Lawn?
How to apply: Use a spreader to apply this fertilizer and lightly water your lawn after 48 hours.
Specifications
- Coverage area: 5,000 sq. ft.
- Effective period: 3 months
- Fertilizer type: Granular, slow-release, synthetic
- N-P-K: 30-0-4
- Package size: 12.5 lbs.
- Type of grass: All warm- and cool-season grasses
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Promotes healthy soil ✓ Improves health and appearance ✓ Includes weed killer ✓ Effective for three months ✓ Ideal for all four seasons ✓ Impressive coverage | ✗ Not ideal for St. Augustinegrass ✗ Not good for soil low in phosphorus ✗ Not good for establishing new lawns |
Where to buy:
Buyer’s guide to lawn fertilizers
With so many fertilizers on the market, choosing the right one for your Maryland lawn can be challenging. Here’s all you need to consider when shopping for a fertilizer:
NPK
N-P-K are the three primary nutrients in lawn fertilizers and are listed in this order on the packaging.
- Nitrogen (N) gives your grass a dark green appearance and helps it grow. Lawn fertilizers usually contain nitrogen in the highest percentage.
- Phosphorus (P) encourages strong root growth and is important when establishing a new lawn. However, Maryland’s phosphorus lawn fertilizer law has banned its use because excessive phosphorus can run off into water bodies and encourage algae growth.
- Potassium (K) makes the grass more resistant to diseases and insects.
Types of fertilizer
Fertilizers come in different types, such as:
- Slow- vs. quick-release fertilizer: Slow-release fertilizers emit nutrients over an extended period, while quick-release fertilizers break down into the soil quickly. Quick-release fertilizers can burn your grass if misused, so we have listed only slow-release products.
- Liquid vs. granular fertilizer: Granular fertilizer comes in the form of pellets and is usually slow-release. Liquid fertilizer is water-soluble and starts working immediately. Check out our guide on liquid vs. granular fertilizers.
- Organic vs. synthetic fertilizer: If you want a chemical-free lawn, organic fertilizers should be your go-to choice. They work slower than synthetic fertilizers but are safer for you and your soil.
- Weed and feed: Some dual-purpose fertilizers like Pennington UltraGreen Weed and Feed contain fertilizer and herbicide to nourish your lawn and kill weeds. However, they aren’t eco-friendly.
Effective period
The effective period of a fertilizer is how long its nutrients remain available to the grass after you apply it. Slow-release fertilizers release nutrients gradually and continue working for a couple of months, while quick-release fertilizers break down quickly and are effective for only a few weeks.
Seasonality
Fertilizers are effective only when you apply them at the right time. Refer to the product label and use the fertilizer at the recommended time. All products we listed here are all-season, so you can apply them at any time of the year.
Grass compatibility
Every grass type has different needs and preferences, and understanding them is crucial for selecting the right fertilizer. The products we listed here are ideal for all types of grasses that grow in Maryland.
FAQs
What does Maryland’s fertilizer law mean for your lawn?
Maryland’s fertilizer law mandates using fertilizer with zero phosphorus to prevent excessive algae growth in streams and the Chesapeake Bay. It also restricts fertilizer use from November 15 to March 1. Check out our guide on Maryland’s lawn fertilizer law.
What’s the best time to fertilize Maryland lawns?
According to the University of Maryland, apply the first round of fertilizer to cool-season grasses from May to early June, the second in September, and the last from October to mid-November.
Apply the first round of fertilizer to warm-season grasses from May to early June and the second from June to July.
What are the best grasses for Maryland?
Some of the best grasses for Maryland include most of the cool-season grasses along with two warm-season varieties, Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass.
When to hire a professional
Lawn fertilization is a tiring job that’s best left to the pros. If you need help with fertilizing your lawn or anything related to lawn maintenance, get in touch with Lawn Love. We connect you with the best pros in your area who can transform your yard from boring to beautiful.
Main Photo Credit: Preservation Maryland | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0
