Does your lawn look dull and patchy after a long winter nap? You see those first hints of green, and your excitement builds! But then comes the big question: what do you feed your grass now? Choosing the right early spring fertilizer can feel like navigating a maze. You want that lush, vibrant green, but you worry about burning your delicate new growth or just wasting money on the wrong product.
It is easy to get overwhelmed by numbers like N-P-K or confusing labels. Many homeowners just grab the first bag they see, only to be disappointed later. We understand that frustration! You need simple answers to get your lawn off to a fantastic start this year.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what your lawn needs right now. By the end of this post, you will know precisely which type of early spring fertilizer to look for and why it works. Get ready to transform your yard from drab to dazzling!
Top Early Spring Lawn Fertilizer Recommendations
- Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food feeds and strengthens grass to help protect against future problems
- Fertilizer builds strong, deep roots and improves the lawn's ability to absorb water and nutrients (vs. unfed lawn)
- Apply lawn care product to a wet or dry lawn
- Grass fertilizer works on any grass type
- One 12.5 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food covers 5,000 sq. ft.
- WEED KILLER PLUS LAWN FOOD: Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed3 weed killer plus fertilizer for grass kills existing listed weeds and feeds to thicken your lawn and crowd out future weeds
- WEED CONTROL FOR LAWNS: These weed killer plus lawn fertilizer granules control over 50 listed lawn weeds, including clover, dandelion, plantain, morningglory, chicory, eveningprimrose, and purslane
- WEED AND FEED FOR LAWNS: Apply this combination weed control and lawn food to your wet lawn when weeds are actively growing and daytime temperatures are consistently between 60°F and 90°F; don't apply more than 2X per year
- USE ON LISTED GRASS TYPES: Apply this lawn care product to Bahiagrass, Bermudagrass, Bluegrass, Centipedegrass, Fescue, Ryegrass, and Zoysiagrass (temporary discoloration may occur on some grasses)
- DO NOT USE ON: Do not use this weed killer for lawns on St. Augustinegrass (including Floratam), Dichondra, Lippia, Carpetgrass, and Bentgrass lawns
- GreenSmart Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer provides continuous feeding for up to 8 weeks
- Restores nutrients to the soil and helps lawn retain water to protect against heat and drought
- Builds a deeper, stronger root system
- Promotes a faster spring green up
- Improves water and nutrient absorption
- Complete NPK Lawn Food: 16-4-8 is the perfect blend of key macronutrients. This lawn liquid food turf fertilizer also contains Seaweed & Fish.
- Contains High Quality Feed Grade Ingredients: Nourish your lawn with pure liquid Nutrients in a ready to use sprayer
- Easy To Use: Designed to be easily applied. This complete Nitrogen, Phosphate and Potash formula gives your grass greening & growth while providing nutrients for lush lawns
- All Grass types: Including Bermuda, St. Augustine, Zoysia, Buffalo, Centipede, Florida Palmetto, Bahia, Fescue, Ryegrass & Kentucky Bluegrass
- Produced In The United States: 16-4-8 is manufactured in the United States of America, by a family owned business with 25 years of former experience in the commercial professional turf industry.
- WEED KILLER PLUS LAWN FOOD: Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed3 weed killer plus fertilizer for grass kills existing listed weeds and feeds to thicken your lawn and crowd out future weeds
- WEED CONTROL FOR LAWNS: These weed killer plus lawn fertilizer granules control over 50 listed lawn weeds, including clover, dandelion, plantain, morningglory, chicory, eveningprimrose, and purslane
- WEED AND FEED FOR LAWNS: Apply this combination weed control and lawn food to your wet lawn when weeds are actively growing and daytime temperatures are consistently between 60°F and 90°F; don't apply more than 2X per year
- USE ON LISTED GRASS TYPES: Apply this lawn care product to Bahiagrass, Bermudagrass, Bluegrass, Centipedegrass, Fescue, Ryegrass, and Zoysiagrass (temporary discoloration may occur on some grasses)
- DO NOT USE ON: Do not use this weed killer for lawns on St. Augustinegrass (including Floratam), Dichondra, Lippia, Carpetgrass, and Bentgrass lawns
- Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action1 is a three-in-one formula that kills weeds, prevents crabgrass, and feeds grass to build thick, green lawns
- Controls existing listed lawn weeds, including dandelion, clover, dollarweed, ground ivy, chickweed, plantain, henbit, and english daisy
- Prevents crabgrass for 4 months (will not kill existing crabgrass); prevents other listed grassy weeds from invading your lawn
- For use on Bahiagrass, Centipedegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Bermudagrass, Tall Fescue, Fine Fescue, and Zosyiagrass
- Apply to a wet lawn with a Scotts spreader, and then water in after 24 hours; apply in early spring when dandelions are actively growing; an 11.31 lb. bag treats 4,000 sq. ft.
Your Guide to Picking the Best Early Spring Lawn Fertilizer
Spring is here! Your lawn wakes up from its winter nap. It needs the right food to grow strong and green. Choosing the right early spring fertilizer is important. This guide helps you pick the best one for your yard.
Key Features to Look For
What makes a good spring fertilizer?
- Nitrogen (N) Content: Look for higher numbers here. Nitrogen helps your grass grow leaves quickly after winter stress. This is the most important part for early spring feeding.
- Slow-Release vs. Quick-Release: Slow-release nitrogen feeds your lawn over weeks. This prevents fast, weak growth and “burning.” Quick-release gives fast color but needs more frequent feeding.
- Weed Control (Optional): Some spring fertilizers include weed killers (often called “Weed & Feed”). If you have many weeds starting, this can save you a step.
Important Materials in Your Fertilizer
Fertilizers use numbers on the bag, like 20-5-10. These tell you the percentage of the three main nutrients:
The Big Three Nutrients (NPK)
- N – Nitrogen: This makes the grass green and leafy. Early spring needs plenty of N.
- P – Phosphorus: This helps roots grow strong. While important, some areas limit phosphorus for environmental reasons.
- K – Potassium (Potash): This helps the grass handle stress, like cold snaps or drought. It keeps the plant healthy overall.
Micronutrients: Check the label for iron or sulfur. Iron helps deepen the green color without forcing too much growth.
Factors That Change Fertilizer Quality
Not all bags work the same way. The ingredients and your lawn’s needs matter a lot.
What Makes It Better or Worse?
- Granule Size and Uniformity: Good quality fertilizers have evenly sized granules. Uneven sizes cause patchy feeding—some spots get too much, others get too little.
- Coating Technology: High-quality slow-release fertilizers use special coatings (like sulfur or polymer) on the nitrogen. This controls exactly when the food releases. Poor coatings release too fast.
- Soil Testing: The *best* quality choice is based on your soil test results. If your soil already has high phosphorus, buying a high-P fertilizer wastes money and harms the environment.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the fertilizer affects your success.
When and How to Apply
- Timing is Everything: Apply early spring fertilizer when daytime temperatures are consistently between 50°F and 65°F, and before the grass starts growing heavily. Applying too early when the grass is still dormant does little good.
- Application Method: You must use a spreader (broadcast or drop spreader). Hand-spreading almost always leads to stripes and uneven growth. Read the bag instructions carefully to set your spreader correctly.
- Watering In: After applying granules, lightly water the lawn. This starts the feeding process and washes granules off the grass blades so they don’t burn the plant.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Early Spring Lawn Fertilizer
Q: When exactly should I put down my first fertilizer application?
A: Apply when the soil temperature is warming up, usually when the forsythia bushes start blooming, or when you see the first signs of green-up after the snow melts.
Q: Can I use my regular summer fertilizer in early spring?
A: You can, but it might not be ideal. Early spring needs more nitrogen for recovery. Summer formulas often focus more on heat tolerance or weed prevention specific to summer.
Q: What does a “Weed & Feed” product do?
A: It puts down fertilizer for feeding and a herbicide to kill young, emerging broadleaf weeds like dandelions. You must apply these when the weeds are actively growing.
Q: My bag has a high middle number (Phosphorus). Is that okay?
A: Check local laws. Many areas restrict phosphorus because it pollutes waterways. If your soil test shows you need it, great. If not, choose a fertilizer with a lower middle number (like 20-0-10).
Q: Will fertilizer burn my lawn if I put too much down?
A: Yes, especially quick-release nitrogen fertilizers. Always follow the spreader settings on the bag to avoid burning the grass.
Q: Should I fertilize before or after mowing the first time?
A: It is usually best to fertilize *before* the first heavy mowing. This encourages healthy root growth before you put stress on the blades by cutting them.
Q: What if I see brown spots after fertilizing?
A: If the spots appeared right after application, you likely over-applied in that area. Water the area deeply to try and flush the excess nutrients through the soil.
Q: Is organic fertilizer better for early spring?
A: Organic fertilizers release nutrients slowly as microbes break them down. They are gentle but might be too slow to give the immediate green-up many people want right after winter.
Q: Do I need to water the fertilizer in?
A: Yes, a light watering (about 1/4 inch) is crucial. This moves the fertilizer off the grass blades and into the soil where the roots can reach it.
Q: How long does it take to see results from spring fertilizer?
A: With quick-release nitrogen, you might see color improvement in 3 to 5 days. Slow-release products provide steady feeding over 6 to 8 weeks.