Scotts LawnPro 4 Step Program

Lawns are like any plant and need proper nutrition and the most important thing you can do for yours is to feed it. A well-fed lawn is healthier, which means it has a better root system to combat heat, cold, drought, mowing, foot traffic and other stresses. That's a lot from simply feeding it. And while fertilizing only once a year will improve the condition of the lawn, a well-fed lawn that receives 4 feedings a year will do even better. Get your lawn on a schedule of feedings for best results, and use the information below as your guide.

Early spring (February - April)

Lawns wake up hungry in the spring. It is like waking up in the morning with an empty stomach. A spring feeding strengthens roots and gets the lawn off to a good start before the heavy growing season. In areas where crabgrass is a problem, it is wise to apply a combination fertilizer with a pre-emergent to control crabgrass.

Late spring (April - June)

Think of spring like lunch time. The lawn is busy and using up stored energy. Therefore it is important to supply the lawn with a feeding designed for this time of year. Since this is also a time when broadleaf weeds are actively growing, a combination fertilizer with broadleaf weed control (a "weed and feed") is ideal for lawns where weeds are a problem.

Summer (June - August)

Summer really is a lazy time, but the hot days of summer mean heat, drought, foot traffic and insects that can add stress to a lawn. An application at this time will protect and strengthen your grass against these problems. Lawns in warm-season grass areas should be fed over the summer months as they grow steadily from spring to fall. If insects are a problem in your lawn, consider a combination fertilizer with insect control at this time of year.

Fall (September - November)

Fall is about summer recovery. It brings ideal conditions for lawn such as cool nights, ample rainfall and morning dew. Now the lawn is ready to grow again, and is looking for the nutrients it needs to recover from summer damage. Some experts will say this is the single most important lawn feeding of the year. The final feeding is applied right before the winter months when grass is prepping for a winter nap. This will strengthen roots and increase nitrogen storage for an early spring green up and a healthier lawn next year. If weeds are a problem, you can apply a fall fertilizer with weed control.