When to Fertilize Southern Grass

Sensitive Grass

• Southern lawns often have more sensitive grasses because they are warm-climate grasses. Southern grasses include popular varieties such as St. Augustine and Bermuda grasses. The sensitivity of southern grasses makes them temperamental and easily stressed by harsh weed killers.

Fertilizing Schedule

• How often you fertilize your southern lawn depends on what condition it starts in. For example, if your southern lawn is already in fairly good shape and is grown with rich, organic material, then you probably need to fertilize it only one or twice a year. If your yard needs a little help, then increase that number to three or four, planting in sometime in the the spring, mid-June, early November and early September.

Fall Fertilizing

• Remember the "F Squared" to remember when to fertilize if you fertilize only once a year, which stands for "Fall Fertilizing." Fall is the season to do it. By fertilizing in the fall, you allow your lawn to have enough nutrients to carry through the winter and into the spring.

Summer and Spring Fertilizing

• A summer "feeding" is not required, but can boost your southern lawn's growing potential. You can skip the summer fertilizing if you use a slow-release fertilizer during the spring. You can apply fertilizer in the spring when you see the grass begin to sprout or turn green.