An Effective Lawn Fertilizer Schedule That Works [Midwest]

Caring for your lawn is about more than just keeping it green. It’s about providing the right nutrients at just the right time to ensure your grass is healthy year-round.

The problem is that Midwest weather can keep you on your toes. One day, it’s freezing; the next, it’s blazing hot.

As such, your lawn needs a nutrition plan that can adapt to these rapid changes.

That’s where we come in. This post highlights our seasonal lawn fertilizer schedule, covering everything from early spring wake-up calls to winter preparations.

Let’s get right into it.

1. Early Spring

When March rolls around and you start seeing those first dandelions popping up, it’s time to get to work by applying a spring fertilizer.

The ground is just starting to warm up, and your grass is emerging from its winter sleep, hungry for nutrients.

During this time, you’ll want to use a balanced fertilizer—an NPK ratio of 10-10-10— to promote root development without encouraging too much top growth and to fend off early weeds.

You want to focus on soil temperature.

If it’s consistently reaching 50°F, then that’s your green light for the first lawn fertilizer application. It’s also your best window to prevent crabgrass from taking over the lawn.

Pro Tip: You can use our fertilizer calculator to find out how much fertilizer to use

2. Late Spring

Late spring is when temperatures stabilize and grass enters the active growth stage.

It is the time your green lawn needs the most nutritional support it can get to develop thick, healthy turf that can withstand summer stress.

The recommended approach for this phase involves:

• Switching to a fertilizer with higher nitrogen content, like an NPK of 30-0-4
• Continuing aggressive weed control
• Supporting dense leaf growth by mowing and aerating properly

Pro Tip: Don’t fertilize before heavy rainfall. You want the nutrients to be absorbed, not washed away.

So, time your application when light rain or steady watering is expected to maximize nutrient uptake.

3. Early Summer

Summer means heat stress and potential grub problems, so your focus should shift to maintaining health instead of pushing for growth by applying a summer fertilizer.

Grubs can damage your lawn quickly by feeding on roots, and they can be both challenging and costly to get rid of, which is why it’s best to prevent them now.

Preventing grubs often involves applying a slow-release fertilizer, watering consistently (about 1 inch per week), and watching for signs of insect damage early on.

Note that different grasses handle summer differently.

Kentucky bluegrass, for instance, needs a lot of water, while tall fescue is better at handling drought, even though both are considered cool-season grasses.

So, take some time to learn about your grass type and adjust your watering accordingly.

4. Late Summer and Early Fall

As summer heart starts to wane, your lawn enters recovery mode. Now is the time to repair summer damage and get the root system ready for the colder months ahead with fall fertilizer.

Key focus areas during this phase include:

• Using a high-nitrogen fertilizer (an NPK of around 28-0-12)
• Overseeding if your lawn looks patchy
• Adjust your watering routine based on grass type

Bonus: Want to save money on lawn fertilizers? Check out our guide on how to make fertilizer at home.

5. Late Fall

By late fall, your lawn growth will have slowed down, but your grass will still be active below the surface. The root development that happens during this time sets the stage for a strong start next year.

You’ll want to apply a winterizing fertilizer that has low nitrogen and high potassium content, like an NPK of 10-0-20, as potassium boosts root health and ensures a quick green-up in early spring.

Pro Tip: Apply the fertilizer after the final mow of the season when the grass is still green but growth has slowed down compared to spring.

Too Much Work? We Can Take It Off Your Shoulders

While the instructions shared in this guide provide a good lawn fertilizer schedule foundation, you must keep in mind that every lawn is unique.

Factors like grass type, soil composition, and even microclimate variations can greatly influence fertilization needs. And unless you’re an expert, your lawn fertilizing schedule might fall short.

So, why go at it alone when you can have professional help?

Our lawn care experts specialize in creating custom fertilization plans that don’t just feed your grass but also optimize its entire ecosystem. Contact us today, and let’s work together to create a healthy lawn.