A perfectly healthy, lush green lawn can boost your curb appeal and give you a stunning outdoor space. But a dying and decaying lawn can make your property the unfortunate eyesore of the neighborhood. The trick to making sure your lawn stands out in a good way is proper fertilization. 

Just like any plant, grass needs the proper nutrients to grow and thrive. It needs to be healthy enough to stand up to foot traffic, prevent weeds, and resist damage from extreme weather. Optimal fertilization is the most important part of keeping your lawn healthy and free of damaging issues. 

Sure, the proper application of fertilizer is important. And making sure you are having high-quality products designed for your type of grass and the climate is important. But did you know that the actual timing of fertilizer application is one of the key components to its effectiveness?

There are certain times of year that your yard should be treated. Contrary to what many homeowners think, one spring application isn’t going to give you the lawn of your dreams. Check out the best times of the year is best to have your lawn fertilized to keep it looking and feeling great through all of the seasons.

Early Spring Lawn Fertilization: February-April in Illinois

The beginning of spring is an exciting time of year. The air grows warmer and the dreary winter fades to bring brighter days. All of this prompts your grass to come out of dormancy and prepare for long days in the sun. However, it’s also prime time for other plants to spring back to life as well.

Giving your grass a good dose of nutrients around this time gives it a jumpstart to a successful season. It gives young roots a chance to grow deeper into the soil and established ones the opportunity to strengthen. These nutrients also help your grass emerge greener and thicker each year. 

Early spring is also a prime time for crabgrass to take root and spread. This invasive species can quickly get out of control and cover your yard. That’s why our early spring application also includes a crabgrass preventer to stop it before it has a chance to start. 

Late Spring Fertilization: April or May in Illinois

As your grass begins to come back to life, you’ll likely find that lawn mowing is required much more often during this time of year. This is a good sign. Healthy grass is fast-growing grass. Keeping it neatly trimmed yet not too short allows it to thicken and keep weeds at bay.

However, it’s nearly inevitable that you’ll have a pesky weed or two show up each year. Maybe you have a more widespread invasion. Dandelion and clover are known to make a resurgence around this time.

Our late spring treatment includes additional nutrients to strengthen your grass. It also has a second crabgrass preventer to knock out any lingering issues. And our broadleaf weed control can ward of dandelions, clover, and other broadleaf weed species that threaten to invade your lawn.

Illinois Summer Fertilization: June to August

The busy summer months mean that your lawn takes a beating. Between lots of outdoor activity, extreme heat, and dry periods, it’s essential that your lawn be kept healthy and well-fed. It’s also essential to ward off the insects that thrive in the summer climate.

We can apply your treatment at any time during the season to revitalize your lawn and provide the nutrients it needs through the summer months. Our insect control will also be applied during this time. This treatment deters and kills grubs, stink bugs, and other damaging pests, that all have the potential to wreak havoc on your grass and its roots.

Late Summer Fertilization: August or September

As the season winds down, your grass has worked hard to stay healthy and resilient. This is the best time for us to apply additional nutrients to help it recover from the rigor of summer. By making sure it’s as healthy as possible when the cold months approach, we provide it with the best chances of bouncing back well in the spring.

We’ll also use this opportunity to spot treat your lawn for any weeds still trying to push through. By handling these now, we can ensure that they don’t take root in the spring. 

Illinois Fall Fertilizer: October-Early November

As the leaves fall and temperatures cool, your grass prepares for dormancy. The air begins to get drier and the once optimal weather for grass begins to fade. We have found that this is an optimal time to give it a boost of nutrition with fall fertilization. 

This time of year, it’s essential to keep your yard clear of leaves or fallen debris. A good coating of leaves left on your lawn can cause mold to grow and lawn diseases to flourish undercover. Combined with a good lawn feeding, a fall lawn clean-up is essential to its yearlong health.

Fall is also the perfect opportunity to add lawn aeration and seeding to your fertilization service. Having your lawn aerated allows the soil to become more saturated and provides more oxygen to strengthen the roots. Overseeding at this time allows for new grass to germinate and emerge in the spring for a thicker, healthier lawn.  

Winterizer Fertilization: Late November-Early December

This final treatment of the year is important to help our grass make it through the harsh winter months. One last feeding is applied to help roots grow deeper and withstand freezing temperatures. 

This last treatment prior to the first hard freeze gives your grass the best chance to rest and emerge even healthier in the spring. A final spot treatment for broadleaf weeds is also done to ensure that a stunning weed-free lawn is ready when the spring thaw occurs.

Fertilizing Your Lawn Through the Illinois Seasons for Optimal Lawn Health

Maintaining a healthy lawn is a year-long process. Different seasons bring varying conditions, meaning your grass has a revolving set of requirements throughout the year. Providing it with the proper nutrients gives it the best chance to look great year-round.