Fertilizers for Lawns

And this rule applies not only to growing fruits, vegetables, and berries—creating a well-kept, beautiful decorative lawn is also impossible without regular soil feeding.

Classification of Fertilizers for Lawns

Whereas in the past, the only way to enrich depleted soil was through organic fertilizers—such as manure from domestic animals and guano from poultry—today’s gardeners have access to a wide variety of fertilizer types, including mineral, synthetic, and the same organic components. Moreover, ready-to-use fertilizers specifically designed for both establishing and maintaining decorative lawns are now widely available.

Regardless of their composition, lawn fertilizers fall into three main categories:

• Start-up fertilizers, which must be applied to the soil during lawn installation, immediately before sowing grass mixtures or laying turf rolls;
• Seasonal fertilizers, which must be regularly applied during the growing season to ensure optimal nutrient supply to lawn plants;
• Stress fertilizers, used during adverse weather conditions (hot, dry summers, cold winters) to help maintain the lawn’s attractive, vibrant appearance.

Rules for Applying Fertilizers to Lawns

Start-up fertilizers—whether mineral or organic in composition—are applied directly to the soil just before tilling and seeding. Thanks to these fertilizers, soil fertility improves, the topsoil becomes enriched with essential nutrients, and grasses sprout faster and more vigorously.

Many manufacturers now pre-add start-up fertilizers (humic compounds) directly into grass seed mixes, greatly simplifying the lawn installation process. These fertilizers consist of specially processed granules containing essential macro- and micronutrients in optimal proportions.

Humic compounds promote proper root system development, support full lawn growth, and help maintain a lush green color throughout the growing season. The advantage of using these fertilizers lies in the gradual uptake of nutrients by plants, ensuring effective performance for up to two additional years.

Seasonal fertilizers are selected individually based on the grass species used. However, one exception exists: spring feeding is similar across all lawn types and should include active organic and complex mineral fertilizers.

Complex fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are applied immediately after snow melts—20–30 grams per square meter. Mineral and organic fertilizers should be used at different times, and the entire seasonal application schedule depends on the start of feeding.

At the end of spring or beginning of summer, apply chloride-free nitrogen fertilizers at 20–25 grams per square meter. In late summer, use phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Additionally, it’s recommended to apply seasonal fertilizers after each lawn mowing to replenish lost grass mass. To prevent root burn, water the lawn immediately after fertilizing.

During mid-to-late autumn, apply special autumn fertilizers that contain no nitrogen. These help plants survive winter with minimal losses and increase lawn resistance to pests and fungal diseases.

Finally, in mid-winter, apply minimal fertilizer to help the lawn wake up healthy and ready for normal function in spring. Use low-NPK fertilizers, liquid feeds, or slow-release formulations—where nutrients are released only as needed. Small nitrogen doses stimulate strong spring growth, while potassium and phosphorus help restore lawn health after winter.

Stress fertilizers such as calcitic lime are used either once a year as a preventive measure to stabilize soil conditions, or as a full recovery feed during adverse weather, heavy foot traffic, or to rapidly restore damaged lawn areas.

Always distribute fertilizers evenly using specialized spreaders or by hand. Ensure each type is used according to its purpose and application instructions on the packaging.