Fertilizer contains three main elements potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorous. The package label shows you what percent it contains of each of these elements.

Nitrogen improves the density and color of your grass. Phosphorous improves root growth. For the general vigor and health of your lawn potassium works great.

Fertilizing Your Lawn: Early Spring

You should hold off until the first burst of spring growth appears before you fertilize. If you had problems with crabgrass the previous season, think about using a fertilizer that contains something to prevent crabgrass for your first application.

Fertilizing Your Lawn: Late Spring

To keep your lawn looking green through out the summer months apply fertilizer in late spring. You might start to see a number of broadleaf weeds appear. If you are going to use a post-emergent feed and weed fertilizer, wait until the broadleaf weeds are vigorously growing before you apply it.

Fertilizing Your Lawn: Late Summer

A late summer treatment of fertilizer is used to replace the nutrients that have been depleted over the summer season. It typically takes place six to eight weeks after the late spring feeding. At this time of the year, your grass will increase thus thickening up your entire lawn. This is the time; you may decide to apply a combination fertilizer to keep your lawn free from insects.

Fertilizing Your Lawn: Fall

To help your lawn during the winter you should fertilize your lawn in the fall, this will also cause your grass to turn green earlier in the spring. You can also include a fifth feeding in your lawn care program in the later part of fall, this will further aid in the winterization of your lawn. Use a fertilizer that contains more potassium for this feeding. This type of fertilizer will condition your lawn to withstand the stress of winter.

Read all the instructions on the bag of fertilizer, since some chemical combinations might cause harm to your lawn.