How Often to Fertilize a Lawn

The 4-5 applications a year is really an “it depends” question.

Just the number of applications doesn’t actually mean anything — the amount of nitrogen applied each time is what matters. If applications are made using 0.5 lb N per 1,000 sq ft each time, this will be pretty consistent. Turfgrass needs to receive enough nitrogen to allow for growth and recovery, and this depends on location in the country and the grass species used. We operate with a range of material applied, so for Kentucky bluegrass that could be as low as 2 lb N per 1,000 sq ft up to 6 lb N per 1,000 sq ft, driven by the age of the lawn, the amount of activity it sees (7-on-7 football every Saturday or a chihuahua walking on it a few times a day), the homeowner’s preference for how green the lawn should be, and possibly the HOA.

The second issue is that if an operator chooses to use a coated or slow-release urea, that can modify the numbers slightly — say from five applications down to four. However, there is a cost associated with slow-release materials, so it may not result in any savings. Ultimately, having turf growing consistently will reduce weed pressure and allow for improved turf health. One thing homeowners can do is mow higher, particularly in the northern US during the summer. Higher heights of cut and returning clippings where possible will aid turf health and vigor — however, businesses can’t always cut when the grass is dry, so clippings may be an issue at times.