When is the Best Time to Fertilize Your Lawn in Missouri?
A vibrant, lush lawn is a dream for many Missouri residents, but it’s achievable with the proper care and timely fertilization. Lawn fertilization is a crucial part of yard and turf maintenance, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution. You need to choose the best fertilizer for your unique lawn, and that means understanding Missouri’s seasons and climate, and knowing what type of grass is in your yard. We’ve got all the details you need about the best time to fertilize lawns in Missouri for a happy, healthy yard.
Understanding Missouri’s Climate and Grass Types
Missouri has what’s known as a humid continental climate, which is characterized by hot, humid, long summers and cold winters. Missouri is also considered subtropical in its southern parts, so those winters, while chilly and sometimes snowy, are typically shorter. The state sees all four seasons every year, though temperatures can fluctuate wildly.
Missouri homeowners can expect to find various types of grass in their lawns, including:
- Tall Fescue
- Ryegrass
- Kentucky Bluegrass
- Zoysia Grass
- Bermuda Grass
Different grass types have varying appearances and behaviors, depending on whether they are cool- or warm-season grasses (more on that in a bit).
The type of grass in your yard can also influence the types of weeds that thrive there. Fertilization and weed control go hand in hand for this very reason—the types of fertilizer you use will have varying impacts depending on your grass type, and the same is true of any herbicides you use. It’s always critical to understand your grass type and work with the seasons to ensure proper lawn care.
The Best Times to Fertilize
You may think it’s always best to fertilize in the spring, and you might be right—depending on your grass type. Some grasses need spring fertilization to thrive, while others prefer the cooler seasons. Here’s how to know what’s best for your yard:
Consider the Season
For some lawns, spring is a perfect time to fertilize. As we mentioned above, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of when to fertilize. Generally speaking, if you have warm-season grass like zoysia or Bermudagrass, April or May is an ideal time for fertilization. But cool-season grass like tall fescue prefers to be fertilized in the fall. Failing to consider the season doesn’t just make your grass less lush—it could actually cause it harm.
Know Your Climate Zone
As we mentioned, Missouri is mainly a continental or subtropical climate, but what does that mean? It’s important to learn which climate zone you’re in before you decide when to fertilize. You can look at a map of planting zones to see where you are, and if you live in Missouri, you’ll want to pay attention to zones 5b through 7a. You may be familiar with these zones if you’re used to planting fruits, vegetables, and flowers, but they can also guide you on when to fertilize your lawn.
Learn Your Lawn Type
Most critically, you need to know what type of grass is growing in your lawn. There are two primary types of turfgrass you’ll find in Missouri:
- Warm-Season Grass: These grasses start to green up later in the spring, and go dormant early in the fall, so they’re growing season is pretty short. They need full sun to thrive and don’t tolerate shade. If you notice brown grass in your lawn from mid-fall to late spring, it’s likely warm-season grass.
- Cool-Season Grass: These grasses don’t require as much sun and don’t mind a little shade. They also stay greener longer, from early spring to late fall, and sometimes even longer.
Cool-season lawns are best fertilized in September, while warm-season lawns can be fertilized in April.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
If you are unsure about your lawn type or climate zone, it can be easy to fertilize at the wrong time. Thankfully, this problem is avoidable by following our tips and steering clear of the following lawn care mistakes:
Fertilizing Too Soon
Your cool-season grass won’t appreciate being fertilized in April or May. If you jump the gun, not only will your grass fail to thrive, but it may suffer irreparable damage. Your first step is to positively identify the turfgrass in your lawn and then do your research to know whether it’s cool-season or warm-season grass. From there, check your growing zone, as that will also affect how soon or how late you should fertilize.
Choosing the Wrong Product
A generic fertilizer won’t work for every lawn, so you’ll need to know what you’re dealing with before you pick your product. Most of the time, you’ll want a fertilizer that includes nitrogen, which promotes healthy grass. However, if your soil is already nitrogen-rich or you have pets, it’s best to avoid adding products with nitrogen. Fertilization time is also a good time to include a weed killer, but that depends on the types of weeds you have in your yard. As long as you use the right fertilizer for your lawn type to effectively eliminate weeds, you’re golden. If you can’t find an all-in-one solution, you may want to look for two separate fertilizers and weed killers to customize your approach.
Over-Applying Your Fertilizer
Too much fertilizer is not a good thing. You may very well need multiple applications for maximum impact, but you also want to ensure you’re leaving adequate time between applications. That way, the grass can reap the benefits and recover from any stress endured. When in doubt, aim to under-fertilize rather than over-fertilize.
Skimping with Cheap Fertilizer
Everyone loves a deal, but when it comes to fertilizer, you get what you pay for. Discount or bargain fertilizer can be mostly filler byproduct, which means that a giant bag can still contain less actual fertilizer than a smaller bag of a higher quality, more concentrated product.
How a Professional Fertilization Service Can Help
You might think that fertilizing your lawn is an easy and effective DIY project. If you’re knowledgeable and put in the effort to research and understand your lawn’s needs, it may be just that. But if you’re uncertain about your grass type, your climate zone, or how to get the most out of your lawn, it may be wise to call in a professional. At Loyalty Lawn Care, we’ve got an expansive list of lawn care services available throughout the year, and we can help you identify your turf and create a seasonal plan to keep it healthy and happy. Contact us today for a free quote.