Fertilizing Lawns in Fall

Q. What are the current recommendations for fertilizing lawns in fall?

A. Many gardeners routinely fertilize their lawns in spring, when fall is actually the preferred time. Moderate daytime temperatures, with cool nights and adequate rainfall, will spur grass growth, making this a good time to apply an organic product or a synthetic fertilizer with a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio. If lawns were fertilized once in May, you might want to wait until early September to broadcast your second application. A third and final application can be applied in late October or early November, using a fast-release high-nitrogen fertilizer. This late treatment will help the grass to green up faster in spring. For each application, figure on one pound of nitrogen for each 1,000 square feet of lawn.