All living things on the planet have the needs of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins to grow up, so grass does. To have a lush, green, and healthy lawn, landowners must consider an ideal fertilizer for grass feeding.
There are mostly five applications to feed your lawn for a year, so, before the first feeding in spring, you have to make a decision.
Take a look at our top suggestions of the best grass fertilizer for spring that will leave your lawn grassy and attractive.
Here are the best fertilizers for grass in spring you can buy in 2023:
- Best Overall: Advanced 16-4-8 Balanced NPK
- Best For Large Areas: Scotts Green Max Lawn Food
- Best For Root Growth: Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food
- Best For Deep Green Color: The Andersons PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer with Humic DG
- Water-Soluble: Miracle-Gro 1001834 Water Soluble Lawn Food
- Best For Insect Control: Scotts Turf Builder SummerGuard Lawn Food with Insect Control
| Best Fertilizer For Grass In Spring: Top 6 Picks | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Advanced 16-4-8 Balanced NPK | Read Our Review |
Best For Large Areas | Scotts Green Max Lawn Food | Read Our Review |
Best For Root Growth | Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food | Read Our Review |
Best For Deep Green Color | The Andersons PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer with Humic DG | Read Our Review |
Water-Soluble | Miracle-Gro 1001834 Water Soluble Lawn Food | Read Our Review |
Best For Insect Control | Scotts Turf Builder SummerGuard Lawn Food with Insect Control | Read Our Review |
Best Overall: Advanced 16-4-8 Balanced NPK
- Good for root health
- Water-soluble
- Instant application
- Suitable for any types of grass
- Easy to use
- Need to apply for every month
Simple Lawn Solutions is the first top pick for the best fertilizers used for all types of grass.
The product comes downs with the formula of 16-4-8 balanced NPK ratio that provides instant release fertilization. With three major nutrients, the fertilizer can absorb into a lawn excellently to make it grow healthy. The amount of nutrient in this liquid fertilizer is sufficient for both new sod and established turf.
Another spotlight of the product is its organic material. It contains high-quality organic and natural feed, so there’s no chemical provision to be harmful to the lawn.
The ease of use is the next key feature of this kind of lawn food. The product is packed in a dispensing bottle that hooks up a water hose. A task to do is spray its dose of liquid on the grass. Consequently, you can see a deep green lawn the day after.
Despite the quite-acting result, it doesn’t mean the fertilizer can have a hearty effect on the soil quality. If you apply every month, the lawn will grow stronger.
| Advanced 16-4-8 Balanced NPK Specifications | |
|---|---|
When to Apply | Spring and summer, every month |
Coverage Area | 3,200 sq. ft. |
Fertilizer Analysis | 16-4-8 NPK ratio |
Size | 32 ounce |
Highlight Features | Water-soluble Spray liquid fertilizer Suitable for every grass type Free of harsh chemicals |
Simple Lawn Solutions is the most superior fertilizer for landscapers to make their lawn slightly-recovered after one day.
Best For Large Areas: Scotts Green Max Lawn Food
- Fast-acting feed
- Much nitrogen, plus iron
- Work for any types of lawn
- Easy to apply
- Weed removable
- May leave rust stains on any surface
If you want to take up an option to take care of large lawns, Scotts Green Max Lawn Food is the best. The lawn food comes packed with a dual-action in both fertilizer and iron supplement.
With the NPK ratio of 33-0-2, the ingredients are full of much nitrogen and little potassium, plus 5% iron. Nitrogen helps a lawn grow thicker with new sharp blades, whereas potassium benefits its lawn’s health up. Iron is a boost for nitrogen’s action.
The nutrients, which are absorbed to the soil, offer a greener and faster-growing lawn just after a three-day application.
Another effect is that the fertilizer can prevent weed growth in which the new blades of grass choke out them. Furthermore, it enables lawn users to recover bare spots on their lawn within a few days.
Next, as a granular fertilizer, the material can be dispensed by a broadcast spreader or a drop model. Instead of watering the lawn, you can fill the hopper and toss it by a tow-behind tank truck or spreader. It can save time and provide even distribution all over the land.
Last, because Scotts Green Max Lawn Food is inorganic, so it is designed to work for all types of grass. Although the granules may leave rust stains on surfaces as a shortcoming, it is still useful for where they are large-sized.
| Scotts Green Max Lawn Food Specifications | |
|---|---|
When to Apply | Spring, summer and fall; every 6-8 weeks |
Coverage Area | 10 sq. ft. |
Fertilizer Analysis | 30-0-2 NPK ratio |
Size | 30,30 lbs |
Highlight Features | 2-in-1 formula An extra 5% iron Granular |
Scotts Green Max Lawn Food is a fast-acting product for your yard maintenance in large areas.
Best For Root Growth: Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food
- Handle any weather conditions
- Requires fewer feedings
- Bring for thick grass, strong roots
- Great for all grass types
- May burn your grass
Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food is typical for year-round growth because lawn carers can apply the fertilizer in any season and under all conditions of weather for most types of grass.
The combination of efficient elements, on the other hand, enable heat-proof and drought-resistant roots. It provides an effective absorption to promote more resilient roots.
With such high-level nitrogen in a synthetic lawn food, landscapers can expect a quick result of grass growth. The supplements, which are contained in a bag, help reduce the necessity of watering a lawn often.
To cover 5,000 square feet with only one bag, landowners need a spreader, though, to dispense this granular fertilizer with an even distribution. There, however, is only a drawback of a risk of burn from over-application.
| Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food Specifications | |
|---|---|
When to Apply | Any season, every 6 - 8 weeks |
Coverage Area | 5,000 sq. ft. |
Fertilizer Analysis | 30-0-4 NPK ratio |
Size | 12,5 lbs |
Highlight Features | All-In-One Particle technology Granular No phosphorus |
Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food is the top-rated grass fertilizer for root growth.
Best For Deep Green Color: The Andersons PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer with Humic DG
- Deep green, healthy grass
- Require few applications
- Even distribution
- Increase soil quality
- Be careful to avoid drainage ditches and storm drains
If you’re looking for a natural fertilizer for a lush and beautiful lawn, then the Andersons brand is a better choice. The reason that the higher nitrogen strength plus super fine particles ensure a deep green grassy lawn.
One more thing about this feature is the slow-release formula which promotes grass growth for a long time. Professional landscapers do not spend much time fertilizing and save money for a few applications.
These small granules help to be absorbed quickly for soil improvement. Even so, lawn owners do not apply fertilizer near any drainage ditches to avoid water pollution.
| The Andersons PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer with Humic DG Specifications | |
|---|---|
When to Apply | Only a growing season, every 7-8 weeks |
Coverage Area | 10,000 sq. ft. |
Fertilizer Analysis | 16-4-8 NPK ratio |
Size | 40 lbs |
Highlight Features | Humic DG Super fine particles Slow-release formula |
The Andersons PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer is a high lawn food option to make your lawn crowded with greener grass.
Water-Soluble: Miracle-Gro 1001834 Water Soluble Lawn Food
- The quick result within few days
- Promote deep green grass
- Water-soluble
- Risk of burning
Miracle-Gro 1001834 is easy to use and water-soluble for good coverage up to 7,200 square feet. Just with a Miracle-Gro Sprayer and a water hose, homeowners can apply easily across their yard.
As a synthetic fertilizer, it is formulated with high nitrogen and a boost of iron to promote grass growth, especially roots and stems. Then, it also gives back a good result with new grass blades after a few days.
The only issue for users to avoid is over-fertilization. They can burn their lawns if not following the directions carefully on the bag.
| Miracle-Gro 1001834 Water Soluble Lawn Food Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| When to Apply | Any season when grass is growing, every 2-3 weeks | |
| Coverage Area | 7,200 sq. ft | |
| Fertilizer Analysis | 30-0-6 NPK ratio | |
| Size | 5 lbs | |
| Highlight Features | Instant acting feed Suitable for all grass types The Miracle-Gro Garden Feeder | |
Miracle-Gro 1001834 is the top choice for those who prefer an easy-to-apply and water-soluble fertilizer.
Best For Insect Control: Scotts Turf Builder SummerGuard Lawn Food with Insect Control
- Prevent common lawn insects
- Guarantee no damage from bunning
- Great feed for dry lawns
- Improve soil quality
- No safe for pets and child after waterings
Scotts Turf Builder SummerGuard Lawn Food is the only product for summer to be presented in the list of the top-rated grass fertilizer for spring.
The main reason is that the lawn food is a cost-effective budget option to prevent lawns from heat and drought as well as protect against limited bugs such as ants, billbugs, fleas, and ticks in summer.
According to some positive comments from purchasers, even though it should apply from July through August, they use the fertilizer before the ants’ presence. Consequently, it works well as there is no anthill and streaming around their places.
With a balanced nutrient mixture, the lawn promotes root strength and blade development. It enables users to turn a dry garden into a health lawn within days.
Therefore, lawn owners will be satisfied with a new appearance of their yards, which provides more oxygen and fresh air as well as protects the soil from runoff and erosion.
It’s necessary to water thoroughly all over the yard after applying. As a granular fertilizer, its particles may be harmful to pets and children, that’s why lawn owners should follow the guides and warnings on the bag.
| Scotts Turf Builder SummerGuard Lawn Food with Insect Control Specifications | |
|---|---|
When to Apply | Summer: June through August |
Coverage Area | 5,000 sq. ft. |
Fertilizer Analysis | 20-0-8 NPK ratio |
Size | 15,35 lbs |
Highlight Features | No phosphorus Synthetic lawn food Used for all grass types |
Scotts Turf Builder SummerGuard Lawn Food is perfect for those who may have issues with heat or drought and insects within their lawns.
How To Choose The Best Fertilizers For Grass In Spring?
As far as most lawn caretakers are concerned, the secret trick to having a beautiful lush lawn is to find out what grass fertilizer is best for their garden and in timing when they apply.
The most important thing to pick the best one is to understand fertilizer’s ingredients.
There are three macronutrients to promote the growth of new grass and faster roots, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Nitrogen helps to process grass development and fight harmful pests. Plus, iron and nitrogen can promote the lush green color in your grass.
Phosphorus is an ingredient that helps roots by making them stronger and more resilient. If you have a new patch of grass, lawn food with high phosphorus can help your lawn encourage its growing process. On the other hand, phosphorus doesn’t work on an aged garden.
Potassium keeps your grass healthy and out of disease like heat, drought, and cold.
The next crucial thing to take into consideration is the types of grass fertilizer. They’re mainly organic, granular, and water-soluble.
Organic fertilizers are naturally made at home. It breaks down its nutrients over time and is slow-release absorption into the soil.
Granular plant food takes time to soak the soil after watering. However, you can use a spreader to have an even distribution around your yard.
Water-soluble styles of lawn food are instant and help grass start to green within days.
Then, as a basic rule, there are generally two types of grass, like “warm-season grass” and “cool-season grass,” which depends on where you live. If the first type needs about three or four pounds of grass fertilizer per 1,000 square feet, the second one prefers one or two pounds at the same coverage. It indicates that “cool-season grass” needs less lawn care than “warm-season grass.”
About timing, when you want to fertilize your area in spring, make sure to apply a slow-release plant food in late February or early March. It’s a time to promote lawn growth better than instant fertilizers with high nitrogen in April or May.
To conclude, before picking one, please consider the above features to have the best lawn care. Remember to match such fertilizer to your needs and budget for many benefits to your lawn.
Which Brands Make The Best Fertilizers For Grass In Spring?
Simple Lawn Solution
- Simple Lawn Solution was found in the United States in 1993. As a Canadian family-owned company, they have 27 years of experience in the lawn care industry.
- Until now, they have built a leading brand for home lawns and gardens. With a great effort of innovation, the company continually upgrades its products to meet homeowners’ lawn care and garden needs.
- Their products use a unique combination of nitrogen with other micronutrients to promote a healthy lawn and garden development. That is the reason why customers always trust their quality products.
Scotts
- Scotts lawn care products have been launched since 1868 when the founder, O.M. Scott started selling lawn seed in Ohio.
- The company is also referred to as a lawn care industry leader with its scope throughout the globe. Its mission is to provide lawn owners with the best quality and cost-effective products for their yards and gardens. Therefore, many users consider Scott products like lawn care experts.
- Scotts fertilizers come with diverse types of grasses, climates, insect limitations, and weed elimination to make an application task easy to apply and save time.
The Andersons
- Founded in 1947 in Ohio, The Andersons have been one company of four groups, including trade, plant nutrients, ethanol, and rail sectors.
- As a diversified company rooted in agriculture, the company provides exceptional service to its customers, supports its employees' development, helps its communities, and enhances the value of the company.
- About the group of plant nutrients, it conducts to meet homeowners' needs to maintain their lush green lawn in the best condition.
FAQs
Is it OK to fertilize the lawn in spring?
Yes, absolutely. Spring is a proper time to fertilize only when the soil temperature is warm, and grassroots begin to grow before grass blades start to green up.
What do you put on your lawn in the spring?
I cover my lawn with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring to encourage active moderate increase that will strive to endure the heat of summer.
How do I stop my grass burning in the spring?
To prevent grass burning, you can use organic fertilizers to slowly absorb the soil to reduce the damage of burning your lawn.
Instead, you can fertilize your lawn slightly to recover its poor condition and reduce lawn stress. Remember to follow the instructions on the package and say “no” to over-apply fertilizers to your lawn.
When should I apply spring fertilizer?
There is some advice for spring fertilization; you, however, are suggested to wait until the grass is growing, mostly in late February or early March, then apply it.
Can you over fertilize a lawn?
Overfertilization can cause some damages, such as unusually fast growth, root burn, poor drainage, and messy PH balance of the soil.
They all affect turfgrass and soil quality and need more maintenance to solve future trouble and disease. So, you should pay attention to follow the guidelines on the packet instruction to apply accurately.
Conclusion
With a proper list of the best grass fertilizer for spring, we help you to determine a perfect option for your needs to maintain your lawn and consider our recommendation as tips to fertilize appropriately.
