While it may be true that choosing the right fertilizer for your lawn and garden is essential for maintaining vibrant, healthy turf and plants throughout the year – it can be tough. Undeniably with changing seasons come different nutrient requirements, making it important to select the right products at the right times. Whether you want to achieve lush green turf, bountiful vegetable gardens, or thriving flower beds, understanding seasonal fertilizer options can help you maximize growth and resilience. In this blog, we’ll break down the best fertilizers for spring, summer, and fall, ensuring your landscape stays nourished and beautiful year-round.

So Many Options

With so many lawn and garden fertilizer products on the market, choosing the right one for your outdoor space can feel overwhelming. On the positive side, from organic blends to slow-release formulas, each option promises lush growth and healthy plants. Not all fertilizers are created equal but finding the best choice for each season takes time and research. For this reason, we’ve done the work for you—carefully selecting the top-performing fertilizers that provide the right nutrients at the right time. Whether you need a boost for spring green-up, summer stress protection, or fall root development, we’ve got the best options to keep your landscape thriving all year long.

Start with Prevention

The first critical step in creating a vibrant lawn or garden is prevention. In the turf that means stopping the intrusion of crabgrass before it has a chance to start. Applying a fertilizer with crabgrass prevention before seeds germinate and the soil temperature is above 60 degrees is key. While this typically occurs in late April or early May, paying close attention to the season’s weather will help ensure you don’t apply your pre-emergent fertilizer too late. If applied timely, this application will set the stage for a weed-free lawn throughout the growing season. In other words, if you miss this window you’re likely to be fighting crabgrass all season long.

If you’re frustrated with constantly pulling weeds in the garden, there are options to help prevent weeds from ever gaining a foothold. Similarly, the products that prevent crabgrass from germinating in the turf, are products that can keep weeds from germinating and taking over the garden. Again, the timing of these applications is everything, but if you’re properly prepared, you can have a weed-free garden all summer long.

Lastly, don’t forget about the bugs! In particular, grubs, ants, and ticks can be a real nuisance to the people and plants in your landscape. Of course there are several products that can help prevent an infestation of your outdoor living spaces. Subsequently, having these tools on hand and ready to apply can make all the difference.

Control Weeds and Feed the Turf

As spring moves towards summer weeds think it’s their time to shine, but that’s when ‘weed and feed’ products do all the heavy lifting. Their formulas are a potent combination of weed control agents and the food that your turf needs. This combats the weeds, freeing up nutrients for the turf while feeding the turf to make it stronger and able to keep the weeds at bay.

Slow Release Feeding

Slow-release fertilizers are an excellent choice for maintaining a healthy, lush lawn with minimal effort. Unlike quick-release options that deliver nutrients all at once, slow-release fertilizers break down gradually over time, providing a steady supply of essential nutrients to your turf. This not only promotes consistent growth but also reduces the risk of nutrient runoff and lawn burn. With fewer applications needed throughout the season, slow-release formulas are both convenient and environmentally friendly. Whether you’re looking to keep your grass green during the heat of summer or strengthen roots in the fall, a slow-release fertilizer ensures long-lasting nourishment for a vibrant, resilient lawn.

Fertilizer Options for Every Part of the Season

Obviously depending on what you are trying to accomplish with the turf or garden, each season presents a unique set of variables to consider and those variables help determine the specific products that will perform best. In addition, the best product to feed your turf in the spring is not the same product that will treat active grubs in the late summer. Again, Lurvey has done the work for you and has created a chart showing the best lawn and garden fertilizer options for each part of the season.

March – Early May

As shown above, applications early in the growing season are all about preventing weeds and giving your landscape a solid start.

May – July

When the heat of summer arrives, combat weeds and give your turf the nutrients it needs to thrive.

August – November

In time, the season will shift and cooler temperatures will arrive. Prepare your landscape for the dormant months ahead.

We’re Here to Help

Unquestionably, keeping your lawn and garden healthy year-round starts with choosing the right lawn and garden fertilizer for each season. From preventing weeds and pests to providing essential nutrients, selecting the right products can make all the difference. Thus by planning ahead and using the best options available, you can enjoy lush turf, vibrant flowers, and bountiful gardens with ease. If you have questions or need help selecting the perfect fertilizer for your needs, our Plant Health team is here to assist you.

There are also a number of additional resources available from the Education section of The Andersons professional website, including a blog, product testimonials, and training videos. There are also many guides and pro tips available on the Andersons Home and Garden website.

In conclusion, trust that our plant health experts are ready to answer any questions you have. With this in mind, feel free to contact us today for expert advice and personalized recommendations to keep your landscape thriving!