3 best fall lawn fertilizer

Fall lawn fertilizer is a type of fertilizer specifically formulated to be applied to lawns during the fall season. It is a crucial element of lawn care and gardening, helping to nourish and prepare your grass for the winter months and promote healthy growth in the spring. Here are some key points about fall lawn fertilizer:

  1. Timing: Fall is an ideal time to apply lawn fertilizer because it allows the grass to absorb essential nutrients and store energy before the colder winter weather sets in. The exact timing can vary depending on your location, but it's typically done in the late summer or early to mid-fall.

  2. Nutrient Balance: Fall lawn fertilizers are formulated with a specific nutrient balance, typically high in potassium (K), which promotes root growth and disease resistance. They may also contain a moderate amount of nitrogen (N) to encourage some top growth.

  3. Slow-Release Formulas: Many fall fertilizers use slow-release or controlled-release technology. This means the nutrients are gradually released over an extended period, providing a steady supply to the grass rather than causing rapid growth.

  4. Promotes Root Development: Fall fertilization encourages strong root development, which is essential for winter survival and the ability of the grass to bounce back vigorously in the spring.

  5. Resistance to Winter Stress: A well-fertilized lawn is better equipped to withstand winter stressors such as cold temperatures, snow, and ice. It can also recover more quickly when the warmer weather returns.

  6. Reduced Weed Growth: By promoting healthy grass growth in the fall, you can help prevent weeds from taking hold in your lawn.

  7. Soil Testing: Before applying fall fertilizer, it's a good practice to conduct a soil test to determine your lawn's specific nutrient needs. This can help you choose the right type of fertilizer and application rate.

  8. Application Methods: Fall lawn fertilizer can be applied using a broadcast spreader or a drop spreader for even distribution. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the specific product you are using.

  9. Safety Precautions: When handling and applying fertilizers, it's important to follow safety guidelines, including wearing protective gear and avoiding over-application, which can harm the environment.

  10. Local Regulations: Be aware of any local regulations regarding the use of fertilizers, as some areas may have restrictions to protect water quality.

Fall lawn fertilizer plays a vital role in maintaining a lush, healthy lawn year-round.It is an essential part of a comprehensive lawn care routine that includes regular mowing, watering, and other maintenance practices to keep your lawn looking its best.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best fall lawn fertilizer on the market
  

Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food, 12.5 Lb - Fall Lawn Fertilizer Builds Strong, Deep Grass Roots for a Better Lawn Next Spring - Covers 5,000 Sq Ft

Scotts

Based on 5 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Strong lawns start in the fall! Feed your lawn with Scotts Turf Builder Winter Guard Fall Lawn Food. It builds strong, deep roots in the fall for a better lawn next spring. This fertilizer delivers the nutrients that lawns need to repair the damage from summer's heat, drought and activity, while ensuring stronger grass next spring. Improves the lawn's ability to absorb water and nutrients versus an unfed lawn. Can be applied to any grass type.

  • Builds strong, deep roots for a better lawn next spring
  • Fall is the best time to fertilize to ensure your lawn is ready for next year
  • Delivers nutrients that help repair damage from heat, drought and activity while preparing roots to take on harsh winter conditions
  • Improves lawn's ability to absorb water and nutrients versus an unfed lawn
  • Covers 5, 000 Square Feet and can be applied to any grass type

User questions & answers

Question: when is best month to apply
Answer: Directions indicate early and late fall application of this product. There is another turf builder product with crabgrass control meant for early spring application.
Question: May I apply it now (today is June
Answer: If you apply this fertilizer that contain 34-0-10 then the nitrogen will stimulate top growth which is not what you want in the winter time due to freezing weather. It's better to apply like 10-2-7 in winter. That way the roots are stimulated and not top growth.
Question: Is it safe to apply this fall lawn food to newly sprouted grass seed? The grass is about 2 weeks old
Answer: Instructions say "apply to new seeded or sodded lawns only after the fourth mowing so I would say no do not apply. It also says not to add new seed or sod for at least one month after applying.
Question: What is the amounts of nitrogen, phosphours and potassium
Answer: 32-10-0 per back of bag - see pic for yourself

Product features

Prepare Your Lawn For Cooler Weather

Scotts WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food provides nutrients to help repair damage caused by summer heat, drought and regular activity while preparing roots to take on harsh winter conditions.

Give Your Lawn Essential Nutrients

Give grass the nutrients it needs help repair damage from summer heat, drought, and activity. Use to help roots absorb water and nutrients better and more efficiently than an unfed lawn.

Tips For Lawn Care Success

First, regular feedings help your lawn look it’s best and provide the nutrients it needs to withstand the stresses of weeds, weather and activity. Secondly, after you mow leave the grass clippings on the lawn! This allows grass to use water more effectively. Finally, water; utilize nature’s sprinkler as much as possible. When you do have to water, do it between 6 and 10AM - less water is lost to evaporation and more reaches the roots.

Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Weed & Feed 3, 5,000 sq. ft.

Scotts

Based on 3 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Fall is the best time to feed, and with Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Weed & Feed3. This lawn food is formulated to deliver the nutrients lawns need in the fall, repairing damage from the heat and drought of the summer and ensuring a better lawn in the spring. It delivers 100% nutrition in every granule, so your lawn gets all of the food with none of the filler, all the while killing weeds for less weeds next spring. Feed in the fall for a better lawn next spring.

  • Improved formula—up to 2X more powerful dandelion and clover control
  • Clears out dandelions and clover—satisfaction guaranteed
  • Weedgrip Technology grips the weeds you see—and the ones you don't
  • Feeds to build strong, deep roots for a better lawn next spring
  • Improves lawn's ability to absorb water and nutrients versus an unfed lawn

User questions & answers

Question: I have some leftover. Can I use this in the spring
Answer: Thank you for inquiring about Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Weed & Feed 3, 5,000 sq. ft. This may also be applied in late spring (April, May or June) when weeds are actively growing with temperatures between 60° - 90° but the nutrient content is specifically geared for a fall application.
Question: What size is this/coverage/square footage
Answer: 15M - "Covers up to 15,000 sq. ft."
Question: Can this be applied with the scotts winter guard? If it isn’t which should I apply first and how long should I wait in between
Answer: Recommend you verify with Scott’s on line or telephone Customer Service. My understanding is these products should not be used together in one season. One is fertilizer plus weed killer. The other just fertilizer. Use of both in a short interval will burn the turf. Again, check with the experts at Scott’s.
Question: What is the N-P-K of this product
Answer: 28-0-6

Product features

Up To 2X More Powerful Dandelion And Clover Control*

Use Scotts WinterGuard Fall Weed & Feed to clear out weeds and prepare your lawn for hard winter conditions. Offers up to 2X more powerful weed control* in your lawn, guaranteed.

*Versus previous formulation.

Powerful WeedGrip Technology

WeedGrip Technology grips and kills the weeds you see and the ones you don’t to make room for strong, green grass to grow.

Tips For Lawn Care Success

First, regular feedings help your lawn look it’s best and provide the nutrients it needs to withstand the stresses of weeds, weather and activity. Secondly, after you mow leave the grass clippings on the lawn! This allows grass to use water more effectively. Finally, water; utilize nature’s sprinkler as much as possible. When you do have to water, do it between 6 and 10AM - less water is lost to evaporation and more reaches the roots.

GreenView 2129185 Fairway Formula, Covers 5,000 sq. ft

GreenView

Based on 166 reviews Check latest price

Product description

GreenView Fairway Formula Fall Fertilizer is specifically designed for use in the fall – it helps established grass continue to grow strong, vigorous roots and prepares grass for surviving winter stress. It also helps maintain a thick, green lawn through the fall months and provides for an early spring greening. Professional lawn care experts know healthy turf needs an even, continuous flow of nutrients and that is best achieved with a mix of time-released nitrogen sources.

  • Repairs summer damage while encouraging root growth for winter hardiness and quick spring green-up
  • Time-released nitrogen for extended feedings
  • Provides both immediate release and time-released nitrogen to provide continuous feeding for up to 12 weeks
  • Restores nutrients to the soil; speeds root growth to improve nutrient absorption
  • Promotes deeper green turf, faster green-up, brilliant color response and fewer clippings
  • 30-0-12 NPK formulation, no phosphates - helps protect our waterways!
  • Covers 5,000 sq. ft.

User questions & answers

Question: when do you use this
Answer: You can apply winter survival even though you seeded on 10/12/2020 it’s perfectly safe for newly seeded lawns, as a matter of fact it will protect the new grass as well as the existing grass over the winter. I hope that this answers your question. Good luck
Question: Is this pet safe
Answer: I would recommend putting down Green-Up For Seeding & Sodding when seeding and Winter survival in late October early November.
Question: Would it be useless to apply this after several frosts have already occurred
Answer: No I don’t
Question: Can this be applied to my lawn in late November in Indiana
Answer: Winter Survival can be put down during the later stages of dormancy in your grass. It is meant to remain in the soil until spring so your grass has nutrients as soon as it warms up. Each state has different laws on the latest your aloud to apply fertilizer. In NJ for example you are not aloud to fertilize after November 15th.

Product features

Encourages Root Growth, Winter Hardiness & Spring Green-Up

GreenView Fairway Formula Fall Fertilizer is specifically designed for use in the fall – it helps established grass continue to grow strong, vigorous roots, while strengthening and boosting the roots for winter. It also helps maintain a thick, green lawn through the fall months and provides for an early spring greening.

12 Weeks of Continuous Nourishment

Our 59% slow-release formula releases nitrogen in a controlled, steady manner, which allows for greater absorption. GreenView Fairway Formula Fall Fertilizer is the highest slow-release nitrogen content fall fertilizer on the market—continually nourishing your lawn for up to 12 weeks.

Slow Release Nitrogen, Better for Your Lawn & the Environment

GreenView’s proprietary slow-release nitrogen sources release small, steady amounts of nutrients to grass for up to 12 weeks. The slower release means more of the nitrogen is used by the lawn and there is less chance it will be washed away. When you minimize the risk for leaching, you help preserve our waterways.

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