You might be wondering: is it really necessary to fertilize your lawn, or can you skip it and let nature do its thing?
Maintaining a lush, green lawn is a goal for many homeowners, yet achieving that picture-perfect yard often leads to a flurry of questions about lawn care. While it might be tempting to forgo fertilizers in a bid to save time and money, the truth is that lawn fertilization plays an important role in nurturing your lawn’s health. It not only helps replenish essential nutrients that grass needs but also leads to stronger blades, strong root development, and improved resilience against diseases.
“Even healthy lawns need the right nutrients to stay strong and resilient," shared Matthew Koch, Ph.D., Director of Biotechnology, Genetics, and Seed at Scotts. "Fertilizing is like giving your lawn a boost of vitamins—it helps grass grow thicker, greener, and better prepared to handle stress from weather, weeds, and foot traffic.
Late Fall Fertilizing: There's Still Time
"The benefits of fertilizing go beyond appearances," shares Koch. "It strengthens grass roots, promotes growth, and boosts resilience against tough conditions like heat, drought, pests, and diseases. Fertilizer provides essential nutrients—nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—that encourage deeper root systems and lusher, more vibrant grass over time."
If your lawn is overdue for fertilizer, there's still time. Fall is an ideal time of year to fertilize in many parts of the country. Even into November, the Midwest, Northeast, and Pacific Northwest can safely fertilize their grass and look forward to a thriving lawn in the spring.
I've never fertilized the grass before, so why start now?
"Even if your lawn looks fine now, the soil can gradually lose nutrients," noted Koch. "Fertilizing ensures your grass receives the right balance of nourishment, preventing nutrient deficiencies and future decline. Plus, the added density helps crowd out weeds naturally." He goes on to recommend Scotts® Turf Builder® Healthy Plus Lawn Food. "It’s a lawn fungicide and fertilizer combination that prevents disease while feeding your grass."
He adds, "Regular feeding leads to consistent growth, better seasonal performance, and improved durability year after year. By fertilizing now, you're setting your entire lawn up for long-term success.”
Signs Your Lawn is Struggling
- It's discolored. It might not be dead, but grass that appears yellow or pale indicates nutrient deficiencies.
- Its growth is stunted or slow. If it used to grow thick and vigorously but now grows slower or seems sparse, consider factors other than average rainfall in your local weather forecast.
- It has more weeds than it used to. Weeds become more prevalent when the soil isn't fertilized, and the weeds often outcompete the weak grass for soil nutrients.
- The texture is off. If malnourished, the lawn can feel dry or crunchy underfoot. In the lawn care world, these are signs of dehydration and poor soil health.
