{"id":29068,"date":"2024-08-23T17:54:24","date_gmt":"2024-08-23T17:54:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?p=29068"},"modified":"2025-03-26T16:48:40","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T16:48:40","slug":"when-to-fertilize-lawn-pennsylvania","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-to-fertilize-lawn-pennsylvania\/","title":{"rendered":"When to Fertilize Your Lawn in Pennsylvania"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two types of grass grow in Pennsylvania, and the strategy for fertilizing each is slightly different. Fertilize cool-season grass in May, September, and November. Fertilize Zoysiagrass in April, June, and August.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most Pennsylvania lawns have cool-season grass, which needs fertilization during the growing season \u2013 spring and fall. Each grass requires slightly different timing, however. We\u2019ll explain below.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Warm-season Zoysiagrass grows in southern Pennsylvania, and it needs to be fertilized in spring and summer. Don\u2019t fertilize when your grass is dormant, typically in winter and summer, because it doesn\u2019t absorb fertilizer when it\u2019s not growing.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-acdd5bb0-4560-4a58-a94c-4aff2709c00f\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\" style=\"\">In this article:<\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column\"> \t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-to-fertilize-lawn-pennsylvania\/#0-best-time-to-fertilize-by-grass-type\" style=\"\">Best time to fertilize, by grass type<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-to-fertilize-lawn-pennsylvania\/#1-the-right-conditions-for-fertilizing\" style=\"\">The right conditions for fertilizing<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-to-fertilize-lawn-pennsylvania\/#2-for-more-pennsylvania-lawn-care-and-landscaping-advice\" style=\"\">For more Pennsylvania lawn care and landscaping advice<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"0-best-time-to-fertilize-by-grass-type\"><span id=\"best-time-to-fertilize-by-grass-type\">Best time to fertilize, by grass type<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are the best times to fertilize your Pennsylvania lawn.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Note<\/strong>: Applications are for nitrogen fertilizer per 1,000 square feet<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Grass type<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>March to May<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>June to Aug<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Sept to Nov<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Kentucky Bluegrass<\/strong><\/td><td>1 lb in May (late April to early June)<\/td><td>None<\/td><td>1 lb in September (late August to early October)<br>Optionally, apply 1 lb in early to mid-November<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Fine fescues<\/strong><\/td><td>0.5 to 1 lb in May (late April to early June)<\/td><td>None<\/td><td>0.5 to 1 lb in September (late August to early October)<br>Optionally, apply 1 lb in early to mid-November<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Bentgrass&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td>0.5 to 1 lb in May (late April to early June)<\/td><td>Optional 0.5 lb in June, July, or August as long as grass is not dormant.<\/td><td>0.5 to 1 lb in September (late August to early October)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Tall fescue<\/strong><\/td><td>0.5 to 1 lb in May (late April to early June)<\/td><td>none<\/td><td>0.5 to 1 lb in September (late August to early October)<br>Additional 0.5 to 1 lb in early to mid-November<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Zoysiagrass<\/strong><\/td><td>0.5 lb in April<\/td><td>0.5 lb in late June and in mid-August<\/td><td>none<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fertilize lawns in cooler, higher elevations between late May and early June, late August, and, optionally, in early November. At higher elevations, grass will sprout later and go dormant earlier than in the rest of Pennsylvania.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don\u2019t fertilize from December to February. In the winter, your lawn is dormant and can\u2019t absorb the fertilizer, so it would be a waste of time, money, and product.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To aid color and damage recovery, you can fertilize Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescues, bentgrass, and tall fescue more often. Just be sure to:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>apply 1 lb or less per application;<\/li>    <li>wait 4 to 6 weeks between applications;<\/li>    <li>avoid over-fertilizing. It can burn or kill your grass;<\/li>    <li>avoid fertilizing dormant grass.<\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-the-right-conditions-for-fertilizing\"><span id=\"the-right-conditions-for-fertilizing\">The right conditions for fertilizing<\/span><\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"482\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_221809073-1-1.jpeg\" alt=\"Manual fertilization of the lawn\" class=\"wp-image-29074\" style=\"width:800px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_221809073-1-1.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_221809073-1-1-300x181.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_221809073-1-1-768x463.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_221809073-1-1-610x368.jpeg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/jo\/images\/manual-fertilizing-of-the-lawn-in-back-yard-in-spring-time-close-up\/221809073\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">maykal<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/jo\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fertilizing during the growing season is key<\/strong> because that\u2019s when your lawn can best absorb the nutrients. Cool-season grasses, which are what most Pennsylvanians have, grow best in air temperatures between 60 and 75. Zoysiagrass, a warm-season grass suitable for southern Pennsylvania, grows best when temperatures are between 75 and 90.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While temperature varies across the state, here are the average temperatures for the recommendation dates, so you can better understand why fertilizing during the recommended times is best practice.<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Cool-season grass application dates&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Cool-season grass application date temperatures<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Zoysiagrass application dates&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Zoysiagrass application date temperatures<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>May<\/td><td>70.5 degrees<\/td><td>April<\/td><td>60.5 degrees<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>September&nbsp;<\/td><td>73 degrees<\/td><td>June<\/td><td>78.5 degrees<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Early November<\/td><td>57 degrees<\/td><td>August<\/td><td>80.25 degrees<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the most accurate recommendations on both fertilizer and amendments, get a soil test. Penn State offers <a href=\"https:\/\/agsci.psu.edu\/aasl\/soil-testing\/fertility\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">soil fertility testing<\/a>. Just bring a sample of your soil to your <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/county-offices\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">county extension office<\/a>. You should get your results in two weeks.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-for-more-pennsylvania-lawn-care-and-landscaping-advice\"><span id=\"for-more-pennsylvania-lawn-care-and-landscaping-advice\">For more Pennsylvania lawn care and landscaping advice<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-to-dethatch-lawn-pennsylvania\/\">When to Dethatch Your Lawn in Pennsylvania<\/a><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-to-stop-mowing-pennsylvania\/\">When to Stop Mowing Your Lawn in Pennsylvania<\/a><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-grass-types-pittsburgh\/\">4 Best Grass Types for Pittsburgh<\/a><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/spring-lawn-care-tips-pittsburgh\/\">11 Spring Lawn Care Tips for Pittsburgh<\/a><\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-should-i-hire-a-professional\"><span id=\"should-i-hire-a-professional\">Should I hire a professional?<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maintaining your lawn isn\u2019t difficult, but it is hard work and time-consuming. Many lawnowners across the Keystone State are looking for help. But finding a trustworthy, affordable lawn care professional can seem impossible. Lawn Love can help. We have tons of vetted, reliable, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/lawn-fertilization\">local lawn pros<\/a> who\u2019ll leave your lawn looking luxurious without breaking a sweat or the bank.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle wp-block-ub-content-toggle-block\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-block-2dff5f73-30ef-4ab4-b9e6-e162c5f96633\" data-mobilecollapse=\"true\" data-desktopcollapse=\"true\" data-preventcollapse=\"false\" data-showonlyone=\"false\"> <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-810e8da1-2d21-4f0d-8887-16c0768e0c6c\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-2dff5f73-30ef-4ab4-b9e6-e162c5f96633\" tabindex=\"0\"> \t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-2dff5f73-30ef-4ab4-b9e6-e162c5f96633\" style=\"color: #000000; \">Sources:<\/p> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div> \t\t<\/div> \t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-2dff5f73-30ef-4ab4-b9e6-e162c5f96633\">  <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/lawn-management-through-the-seasons\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Penn State: Lawn Management through the Seasons<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/mapmaker.millersville.edu\/pamaps\/Soils\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pennsylvania Soils<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/planthardiness.ars.usda.gov\/system\/files\/PA150_HS.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">USDA Plant Hardiness Map: Pennsylvania<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/turfgrass-species-for-pennsylvania\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Turfgrass Species for Pennsylvania<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>  <\/div> \t\t<\/div> <\/div>   <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Main Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/jo\/images\/harrisburg\/127966200\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zack Frank<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/jo\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fertilize cool-season grass in Pennsylvania in May and September. Fertilize zoysiagrass in April, June, and August.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":51,"featured_media":29070,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[126],"tags":[488],"class_list":["post-29068","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lawn-care-tips","tag-lawn-care-pa"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_127966200-1.jpeg","author_info":{"display_name":"Nicki DeStasi","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/nicki-destasi\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29068","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/51"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29068"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29068\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29070"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29068"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29068"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29068"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}