{"id":32028,"date":"2024-10-07T18:43:32","date_gmt":"2024-10-07T18:43:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?p=32028"},"modified":"2026-08-24T16:31:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T16:31:14","slug":"when-apply-winter-fertilizer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-apply-winter-fertilizer\/","title":{"rendered":"When Should You Apply Winter Fertilizer?"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes has-medium-font-size\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>\u2022 <strong>Aim for mid to late fall:<\/strong> Apply winter fertilizer roughly October to November, near your last mow but before the first frost.<br>\u2022 <strong>Timing depends on your grass and region:<\/strong> Cool-season lawns take it later, while warm-season grasses usually need nothing after late summer.<br>\u2022 <strong>Green grass, unfrozen ground:<\/strong> Fertilize while the grass is still green and the soil is not frozen, or you waste product and risk polluting waterways.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best time to apply a winter fertilizer is October to November, near the last mow of the season but before the year&#8217;s first frost. Turfgrass should be close to dormancy but a bright green, which is a sign the roots are still active and can absorb nutrients.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If pinning down the exact window feels tricky, Lawn Love&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/signup-web.lawnlove.com\/cart\/contact-info?intent=fertilization\">lawn fertilization service<\/a> connects you with local pros who time each application for your grass and climate.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-798e19d4-0bdb-424e-8e16-eeddf1f39b69\" 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-apply-winter-fertilizer\/#0-when-to-apply-a-winter-fertilizer-on-cool-season-lawns\" style=\"\">When to apply a winter fertilizer on cool-season lawns<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-apply-winter-fertilizer\/#4-when-to-apply-a-winter-fertilizer-on-warm-season-grasses\" style=\"\">When to apply a winter fertilizer on warm-season grasses<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-apply-winter-fertilizer\/#5-apply-winter-fertilizer-any-time-of-day\" style=\"\">Apply winter fertilizer any time of day<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-apply-winter-fertilizer\/#6-apply-winter-fertilizer-if-a-soil-test-shows-deficiencies\" style=\"\">Apply winter fertilizer if a soil test shows deficiencies<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-apply-winter-fertilizer\/#7-follow-the-local-regulations\" style=\"\">Follow the local regulations<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-apply-winter-fertilizer\/#8-faqs\" style=\"\">FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 id=\"0-when-to-apply-a-winter-fertilizer-on-cool-season-lawns\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"when-to-apply-a-winter-fertilizer-on-cool-season-lawns\">When to apply a winter fertilizer on cool-season lawns<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Apply winter fertilizer to your <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/\">cool-season lawn<\/a> in mid to late fall, since these nutrients boost cold hardiness, disease resistance, and faster spring green-up. The exact month varies based on where you live:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p><strong>Cool-season grasses zone:<\/strong> The latest time to apply nitrogen fertilizer is mid to late October, except in the Pacific Northwest, where the milder weather often allows for later applications, up to mid-November.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Transition zone:<\/strong> The best time for the last fertilization of the season is from early November to Thanksgiving.<\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/transition-zone-map-1.jpg\" alt=\"Late-season fertilizer applications on cool-season lawns by location\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Late-season fertilizer applications on cool-season lawns by location Photo Credit: Infographic by Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, how do you plan the winter fertilizer application on your lawn? Here are some useful tips.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"1-the-last-mow-of-the-season\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"the-last-mow-of-the-season\">The last mow of the season<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A good rule of thumb is to spread the winter fertilizer near the <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/last-mow-of-the-season\/\"><strong>last mow of the season<\/strong><\/a>. The grass must still be bright green, indicating it is still going through photosynthesis. Although the stems and leaves barely grow, the roots are still active, gathering nutrient reserves for winter and spring green-up.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the grass starts to go brown, it&#8217;s already dormant, and fertilizer shouldn&#8217;t be applied because of the high <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.canr.msu.edu\/resources\/fertilizing-home-lawns-to-protect-water-quality\">risk of pollution<\/a>.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Dormant fertilizer applications are not taken up by the plant, and instead, the nutrients are lost into the environment where they can cause water quality concerns,&#8221; says Carl Schimenti, urban environmental scientist at the School of Integrative Plant Sciences.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"2-air-temperature\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"air-temperature\">Air temperature<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Air temperature is another good indicator: <strong>apply the winter fertilizer when nighttime temperatures are consistently under 50 degrees for about 10 days.<\/strong><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Fertilizing turf when the soil is not frozen and when foliar growth slows down (when air temperatures are below 50 degrees for 10 days) contributes to significant root, rhizome, and stolon growth,&#8221; says Associate Professor Frank Rossi and Urban Environmental Scientist Carl Schimenti from <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/safesportsfields.cals.cornell.edu\/routine-care\/fertilizing\/nitrogen-timing-and-rates\/\">Cornell University<\/a>.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"3-two-fall-applications\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"two-fall-applications\">Two fall applications<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/fertilizer-on-grass-1.jpg\" alt=\"Fertilizer for grass, lawn, meadow in a bag of white granules on a background of green grass\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fertilize cool-season grasses in late August to September and again 4-8 weeks later. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/pt\/image-photo\/fertilizer-grass-lawn-meadow-bag-white-1790915528\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shutterstock<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cool-season grasses take up much of their annual nitrogen during the fall, making it the most important season for feeding winter grasses.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first fertilizer application is usually in late August to September. This late summer to early fall application uses a slow-release fertilizer higher in nitrogen to feed the hungry and actively growing grass until late fall. Depending on the weather, <strong>the winterizer application should be done 4 to 8 weeks later<\/strong>.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read more about planning lawn treatments in our &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/lawn-care-calendar-cool-season-grass\/\">Lawn Care Calendar for Cool-Season Grass<\/a>.&#8221;<\/p>    <h2 id=\"4-when-to-apply-a-winter-fertilizer-on-warm-season-grasses\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"when-to-apply-a-winter-fertilizer-on-warm-season-grasses\">When to apply a winter fertilizer on warm-season grasses<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Warm-season grasses go dormant in the fall and typically don&#8217;t require a nitrogen application after August. However, you can apply a winter fertilizer if the soil is deficient in potassium or phosphorus or your state has banned nitrogen use during the summer.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Note:<\/strong> If you use nitrogen fertilizer to <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-winterize-your-lawn\/\">winterize the lawn<\/a>, look for one with equal amounts of nitrogen and potassium or less nitrogen than potassium. Read more about the right product in our guide, &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-is-winter-fertilizer\/\">What is Winter Fertilizer?<\/a>&#8220;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As with cool-season grasses, the <strong>best time to apply a winter fertilizer depends on where you live and the local climate<\/strong>:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p><strong>Transition zone:<\/strong> Mid to late September is the time to spread a winterizer on warm-season grasses.<\/p><\/li>    <li><p><strong>Warm-season grasses zone:<\/strong> Lower and coastal south, the late-season application should be done early to late October. A potash winterizer can be applied up to early November in the southern parts of Texas and Florida.<\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/transition-zone-map-late-year.jpg\" alt=\"Late-season fertilizer applications on warm-season lawns by location\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Late-season fertilizer applications on warm-season lawns by location Photo Credit: Infographic by Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When is the best time to apply a winter fertilizer on your summer lawn? Experts say to use the first frost date as a guide and <strong>apply a high-potassium fertilizer at least 6 weeks <\/strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/wayne.ces.ncsu.edu\/2021\/09\/think-twice-before-fertilizing-your-lawn-this-fall\/\"><strong>before the first frost<\/strong><\/a><strong> for best results<\/strong>.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This way, the turf has enough time to absorb the nutrients, improve its winter structure, and make reserves for the next season.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"5-apply-winter-fertilizer-any-time-of-day\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"apply-winter-fertilizer-any-time-of-day\">Apply winter fertilizer any time of day<\/span><\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_221809073-1-1.jpeg\" alt=\"Manual fertilization of the lawn\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fall is the perfect time to apply fertilizer because temperatures are cooler. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/jo\/images\/manual-fertilizing-of-the-lawn-in-back-yard-in-spring-time-close-up\/221809073\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">maykal<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/jo\/license-terms\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Winter fertilizers are applied mid to late fall when mid-day heat is no longer an issue, and watering the product in afterward helps nutrients reach the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/water.unl.edu\/article\/lawns-gardens-landscapes\/summer-turf-fertilization\/\">root zone<\/a>.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;The time of day of the application is not important as long as the product is washed off the grass blades and into the root zone after application,&#8221; says John Fech, Extension Educator for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"6-apply-winter-fertilizer-if-a-soil-test-shows-deficiencies\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"apply-winter-fertilizer-if-a-soil-test-shows-deficiencies\">Apply winter fertilizer if a soil test shows deficiencies<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a golden rule for any fertilizer application: <strong>Know what your soil needs and treat only the deficits<\/strong>. You do that by <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-soil-test-your-lawn\/\">testing the soil<\/a>. Most lawns have enough potassium and phosphorus, and adding more hurts the environment and, possibly, your lawn.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When applied in excess, phosphorus leaches into the water table and contributes to <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/national-aquatic-resource-surveys\/indicators-phosphorus\">nutrient pollution<\/a> in rivers, lakes, and oceans. Potassium is not as damaging to the environment but can increase the risk of <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/on-watch-winter-lawn-diseases\/\">turfgrass diseases<\/a> when present in a very high amount.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"7-follow-the-local-regulations\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"follow-the-local-regulations\">Follow the local regulations<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When planning for the winter fertilizer application, consider any fertilizer bans active in your state for the cold season. For example, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/mda.maryland.gov\/pages\/fertilizer.aspx\">in Maryland<\/a>, you cannot apply nitrogen and phosphorus between Nov. 16 and March 1. A similar ban is active in <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jerseyyards.org\/threats-to-bays-rivers\/new-jerseys-fertilizer-law\/\">New Jersey<\/a> from Nov. 15 to March 1.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also, many states have banned the use of phosphorus for lawn fertilization except when seeding new grass and when soil tests show a deficiency.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><p>&#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/why-be-responsible-in-our-use-of-fertilizer\/\">Why Do We Have to Be Responsible in Our Use of Fertilizer?<\/a>&#8220;<\/p><\/li>    <li><p>&#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/cities-limiting-lawn-chemicals\/\">Cities Limiting Use of Lawn Fertilizers and Pesticides<\/a>&#8220;<\/p><\/li>    <li><p>&#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-is-the-best-time-to-fertilize-lawn\/\">When is the Best Time to Fertilize Your Lawn?<\/a>&#8220;<\/p><\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 id=\"8-faqs\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"faqs\">FAQs<\/span><\/h2>    <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-17872581651354942\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is the NPK ratio of a winter fertilizer?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Generally, look for an NPK ratio such as 21-0-20 or 19-2-13 that includes equal amounts of nitrogen and potassium or up to two times more nitrogen than potassium. Take a soil test to determine the perfect blend of nutrients for your lawn.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-17872581651356500\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How late is too late to apply winter fertilizer?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Once the grass has turned brown and the ground has frozen, it is too late. Dormant roots cannot absorb the nutrients, so the fertilizer washes away instead of feeding your lawn. Apply while the grass is still green and a few weeks before the ground typically freezes in your area.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-17872581651354963\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can I use winter fertilizer during spring?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, you can, but due to the low nitrogen content, it might be less effective than the regular spring fertilizer.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-17872581651366805\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can I fertilize during the winter?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No. During the winter, the frozen soil prevents the grass from absorbing nutrients, allowing fertilizer to leach into the groundwater.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>    <h2 id=\"9-let-the-pros-do-the-lawn-care-planning\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"let-the-pros-do-the-lawn-care-planning\">Let the pros do the lawn care planning<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The winter fertilizer is only one piece of the puzzle and works best when all the lawn treatments are in sync. Professional <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/lawn-fertilization-cost\/\">lawn fertilization cost<\/a> runs $64 to $385 per visit, depending on your yard size, and often beats repeated store trips for products applied at the wrong time.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/lawn-fertilization\">Find a lawn care pro<\/a> with Lawn Love and let the experts do the work and turn your lawn into the lush, green carpet of your dreams.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lawn fertilization, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/lawn-mowing\">mowing<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/lawn-aeration\">aeration<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/yard-clean-up\">yard cleanup<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/weed-control\">weed control<\/a> are only a click away.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Main Image Credit: <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/feeding-lawn-scattering-granular-fertilizer-for-perfect-green-grass\/830950573\">ronstik<\/a> | Adobe Stock | <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\">License<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn when to apply winter fertilizer: mid to late fall, near your last mow but before the first frost. Timing tips for cool-season and warm-season lawns.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67,"featured_media":32034,"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":[375],"class_list":["post-32028","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lawn-care-tips","tag-lawn-fertilization"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/fertilizing-lawn-3-1.jpeg","author_info":{"display_name":"Sinziana Spiridon","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/sinziana-spiridon\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32028","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\/67"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32028"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32028\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48521,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32028\/revisions\/48521"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32034"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32028"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32028"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32028"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}