Fall Lawn Fertilizer
Fall lawn fertilizer plays an important role in lawn care. The primary goal of a fall lawn fertilizer is to make the lawn HEALTHY, so that as we transition into cooler temps our lawn is prepared for them. Fall is a critical time of year for your lawn. Choosing the right fall fertilizer is important. REMEMBER… without a RECENT soil test… the right NPK is a 4-1-2 ratio. (16-4-8)
Fall Lawn Fertilizer Video
Fall Lawn Products Shown in Video
PGF Complete Fertilizer
MAY SHOW “currently unavailable” more coming soon.
Super Juice Supplement and lawn product links.
Spreader Doc Uses
Summer is Ending
Coming off the hot and stressed summer months it’s important that our fall lawns get a full and balanced nutrition program with fall lawn fertilizers. Again… a FULL and BALANCED nutrition program which offers our lawn all the things it wants and needs. Not only will this make our fall lawns look amazing, but it will make them healthy in preparation for the upcoming winter months.
What your lawn needs in the Fall?
It’s really not what your LAWN needs in the fall, it’s more so what your SOIL needs in the fall. Providing a balanced nutrient fall lawn fertilizer like PGF Complete will bring your lawn back to health and give it a beautiful look.
Why we move AWAY from Organics and Bio-Solids?
Organic and bio-solid fertilizers require strong microbial activity to perform well. Unfortunately, there are two times of the year when this decreases. Early spring and late fall. Also, many “summer stressed” lawns suffer from inadequate microbial activity, reducing the effectiveness of these fertilizers. It’s best to use a fertilizer that delivers DIRECT nutrients in a controlled manner.
Avoid Negatives in the Fall
I strongly encourage people to avoid “negatives” in the fall until their lawns have gone dormant. This includes things like weed killers and pre-emergents. If at all possible hold off until the REAL cold snaps move in. Save the great growing months for lawn health.
The right N-P-K ratios for Fall Fertilizers
We have assembled a few links about best N-P-K ratios for fall fertilizers below. Because 99% of lawns in the US do not get soil tested, most agree. Use a balanced 4-1-2 ratio lawn fertilizer. REMEMBER… without a RECENT soil test… the right NPK is a 4-1-2 ratio. (16-4-8)
“Top quality lawn fertilizers contain slow-release or controlled-release nitrogen. Look on the label for slow-release forms such as ureaform, sulfur-coated urea, milorganite, and IBDU. These forms stimulate uniform growth over a period of time and are less likely to burn the grass. However, do not expect the quick green up caused by fast-release forms. Slow-release formulations are more costly but worth the price for the improved health of your lawn.
In early fall use a regular lawn fertilizer with N-P-K ratios of 3:1:2 or 4:1:2. For example, a bag may list 21-7-14 or 32-8-16. Amounts don’t need to be exact but should be similar to the suggested ratios. Hold off on applying “winterizer” fertilizers until late October or early November.”
“Fertilizers with a 2-1-1, 4-1-2 or 3-1-2 ratio provide N, P and K in quantities closer to actual plant needs and are best suited for maintenance applications. An incomplete fertilizer is one that contains only one or two of the primary nutrient elements. If only one nutrient is present, the fertilizer is referred to as a straight material.”
“DO use a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio fertilizer if youelect not to conduct a soil test. A commonexample of a 3-1-2 ratio fertilizer is 15-5-10,while a good 4-1-2 ratio fertilizer is 16-4-8.These ratios generally supply what most lawnsneed, and they won’t dramatically increase thephosphorus levels if it’s unneeded.”
For routine maintenance where a soil test or experience indicates no major deficiencies, use a lawn fertilizer with an approximate ratio of 3:1:1 or 4:1:1 or 4:1:2 at recommended rates according to the schedule in Table 1.
Apply nutrients based on soil testing. In absence of a soil test, apply 1⁄2 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet 3 weeks after greenup. Use a complete nitrogen-phosphorus, potassium (N-P-K) turf fertilizer with a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio (for example, 12-4-8 or 16-4-8).
Fall Lawn Care Tips
- Cut the lawn first before applying fertilizer.
- Apply PGF Complete fertilizer
- If needed, treat with Super Juice
- Water every evening for the first 4-5 days.
- Inspect your fall lawn for insects and disease.
