Creating a simple and effective fertilizer and weed control plan for your yard doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, everything you need can be found at most home improvement and garden stores. With the right schedule, you can keep your lawn healthy, green, and far less weedy throughout the year.
A healthy lawn typically needs about four pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet each year. The easiest way to deliver that amount is through four fertilizer applications spread across the growing season.
The first application should be done in early spring, usually mid to late March depending on the weather. Apply fertilizer according to the bag instructions and combine it with a crabgrass preventer. Products labeled “fertilizer with crabgrass preventer” contain a pre-emergent that stops weed seeds from germinating and helps control weeds for much of the season. One important note—if you plan to overseed your lawn later in the spring, skip the pre-emergent. It prevents grass seed from sprouting just as effectively as it prevents weeds.
The second step takes place in late spring, typically late May or early June. Rather than using a traditional “weed and feed” bag, a more reliable approach is to apply a granular fertilizer first, then follow up with a liquid weed control product that attaches to your garden hose. Make sure the product is labeled safe for lawns. Spraying the weeds directly allows the weed killer to coat the leaves, which improves results.
The third application is another weed and fertilizer treatment, similar to step two. This should be done in early fall, once the extreme summer heat has passed. Weed control products are most effective when temperatures are below about 85 degrees, so waiting until late September or early October usually provides better results.
The fourth and final step is a fall fertilizer application. This prepares your lawn for winter and helps it green up faster the following spring. Many brands offer a fall or winter fertilizer designed to release nutrients quickly while the grass is still actively growing.
By following this four-step program—spring fertilizer with pre-emergent, two seasonal weed and fertilizer treatments, and a final fall feeding—you can maintain a healthier lawn with fewer weeds and stronger growth year after year.