The grass doesn’t have to be greener on the other side of the fence. With the right lawn care routine, the grass in your yard will stay strong, healthy, and beautiful. A significant component of excellent lawn care is using the best fertilizer.
Aside from selecting the right fertilizer, you have to apply it at the right time, too. For most lawns in North America, spring is when fertilizer has the most benefits. Selecting the best fertilizer can seem complicated, and filled with confusing science terms, but it’s often far simpler than many people realize.
Check out our recommendations for the best lawn fertilizers for spring, as well as an easy-to-understand guide about spring lawn care. With the tips and recommendations below, your lawn will be the envy of your entire neighborhood!
At a Glance – Our Top Picks.
Natural Green & Growth Liquid Fertilizer
Natural Green & Growth’s high nitrogen formula uses 70% quick-release nitrogen to nourish your lawn immediately plus 30% slow-release nitrogen to maintain consistent health. It doesn’t just stimulate growth but also treats nutrient deficiency.
It’s packed with organic, food-grade compounds to nourish your lawn naturally. By avoiding the use of harsh chemicals, your lawn stays healthy and stress-free.
Why We Like It
- Combines a quick nutritional boost with long-term nourishment
- Contains natural and organic compounds that won’t stress your lawn
- Helps maintain a lush, thick lawn with noticeably green coloring
Specs
- NPK ratio 28-0-0
- 70% quick-release Nitrogen
- 30% slow-release Nitrogen
Our Verdict
While it’s not designed as an all-purpose fertilizer, it’s amazingly effective at treating issues related to Nitrogen deficiency.
Editor Rating: 4/5
Simple Lawn Solutions Advanced Natural Liquid Fertilizer
Created by a family-owned company with over 25 years of lawn care experience, this liquid fertilizer from Simple Lawn Solutions contains a precision-crafted blend of macronutrients, including seaweed and fish.
Why We Like It
- Contains organic, food-grade ingredients that won’t stress or damage your lawn
- The spray formula is fast and easy to apply even to large lawns
- It improves the health and turf strength of a wide variety of grass types, including Bermuda, St. Augustine, Florida Palmetto, Kentucky Bluegrass, and more
Specs
- NPK ratio 16-4-8
- Available in one gallon, 2.5 gallons, and 32-ounce sizes
Our Verdict
This balanced formula from Simple Lawn Solutions provides vital nutrients, although it’s most effective on lawns that are already in great shape instead of those with significant deficiencies.
Editor Rating: 4.5/5
Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed Fertilizer
Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed formula is specifically designed for the needs of your lawn in spring. It helps crowd out weeds to create room in your yard for thick, green grass to emerge and thrive.
Why We Like It?
- Unique WeedGrip Technology removes surface weeds while also penetrating the ground to remove hidden root systems, too
- Effectively eliminates practically all types of common weeds including clovers and dandelions
- Most powerful weed and feed offered from Scotts, a trusted brand in lawn care
Specs
- Bag covers 15,000 square feet
- 2,4 D 1.21%
- Available in 15 M and 5 M sizes
Our Verdict
If your yard is plagued with weeds, clovers, and dandelions, Scotts Turf Builder helps you effectively clear them away, so your emerging grass has space and nutrients needed to grow.
Editor Rating: 5/5
Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Lawns
If you’re cultivating a new lawn in spring, Scotts Starter Food formula is a fast-acting, two-in-one formula that improves seeding while blocking crabgrass, dandelions, and other unwanted invaders.
Why We Like It
- Applying the fertilizer to newly planted grass helps it grow strong and healthy
- It also kills existing weeds and blocks new ones from returning for up to six weeks
- Two-in-one formula saves time and effort
Specs
- NPK 21-22-4 ratio
- Covers 2,000, 5,000 or 10,000 square feet (three bag sizes available)
Our Verdict
Start your new lawn off right with this weed and feed formula. It’s specifically made for new grass or reseeding, especially in areas plagued by crabgrass and dandelions.
Editor Rating: 5/5
LawnStar’s liquid lawn food contains a balanced blend of both fast and slow-release micronutrients to help strengthen your lawn and increase the resilience of its root system. It’s designed for spring and summertime use on practically any type of grass.
Why We Like It
- Includes a premium blend of nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium
- Bottle includes built-in sprayer for fast, easy application
- Backed by a 30-day, no-questions-asked guarantee
Specs
- NPK ratio of 16-4-8
- Treats up to 4,000 square feet
- Available in 32 fluid ounce bottle
Our Verdict
LawnStar’s fertilizer is a powerful and nourishing fertilizer that works well on practically any type of grass. Plus, it’s packaged in a convenient spray bottle for no-fuss application.
Editor Rating: 4.5/5
Super Juice All-in-One Lawn Fertilizer by The Andersons
Super Juice is a powerful dry mix fertilizer you can use as either a primary fertilizer or supplement to the granular type. Golf courses and homeowners across the country use it to help grass grow quickly in spring.
Why We Like It
- All-in-one fertilizer with a balanced blend of nutrients
- Dry mix stays secure and fresh in a resealable, foil-lined bag
- Mix with water and spray with hose-end sprayer for fast application
Specs
- NPK ratio of 14-2-4 (Half-strength is 7-1-2)
- Full concentration treats one acre; half-concentration treats two
- 14% Nitrogen
Our Verdict
This dry mixture excels at creating a healthy, dark green lawn quickly. It’s one of the most powerful dry mixes on the market.
Editor Rating: 4/5
Simple Lawn Solutions Commercial-Grade Lawn Energizer
Trust what the pros use for commercial lawn care. Simple Lawn Solutions Lawn Energizer is an all-natural, non-toxic fertilizer that provides the vitamins and nutrients lawns need to stay healthy, lush, and green. It’s also safe for use around pets and people.
Why We Like It
- Delivers commercial-grade nutrition for all types of grass
- All-natural formula contains no toxins or ingredients harmful to humans or animals
- The US-based manufacturer is available by phone or email if you have questions or concerns
Specs
- Cover 3,200 square feet
- NPK ratio of 20-4-8
- Organic, food-grade ingredients
Our Verdict
If your lawn is a frequent play area for kids or pets, this fertilizer from Simple Lawn Solutions delivers powerful nutrients without harmful ingredients.
Editor Rating: 4.5/5
Spectracide Weed & Feed 20-0-0
Spectracide is a powerful dual-action formula that feeds your lawn while removing dandelions, clover, and many other broadleaf weeds. Plus, the included Quickflip sprayer allows for fast dispersal requiring no extra gear.
Why We Like It
- The pre-mixed formula is ready to use right away
- Quickflip sprayer attaches to hose for fast application
- Adds nutrients to the grass you want while killing the weeds you don’t
Specs:
- NPK ratio of 20-0-0
- 32-ounce bottle with a built-in sprayer
- 20% Nitrogen
Editor Rating: 5/5
Buyers Guide Questions
What are the Benefits of Lawn Fertilizer?
Your lawn is unlikely to thrive on its own. No matter where you live or what type of grass your lawn consists of, it needs six essential nutrients to survive.
Three of those nutrients — carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen — are found naturally in soil. However, your lawn also needs what are often called the primary nutrients of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
That’s where fertilizer comes in. Regular application of fertilizer provides the primary nutrients grass needs to stay strong, lush, and green.
What are the Different Types of Grass?
Understanding the type of grass in your lawn is key to determining when you need to fertilize it. Don’t worry; you don’t need an in-depth understanding of agriculture here. Grass types are divided into two simple, general categories:
- Cool-season grass
- Warm-season grass
Cool-season grasses are most common throughout the northern US. Popular types include Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and various fescues. These grasses go dormant in periods of hot temperatures and low moisture.
Warm-season grasses are typically found in the southern US. Popular examples of these tropical grasses include Bermuda, St. Augustine, and centipede. They’re thick grasses that thrive in consistently warm temperatures.
Another type is called transitional zone grass. It’s a combination of warm and cool-season grasses.
Why Should You Fertilize Your Lawn in the Spring?
While each type of grass has different nutritional needs, all lawns need special attention in spring.
What Do Cool-Season Grasses Need in Spring?
Spring is the main growing period for cool-season grasses. It requires fertilization during two key periods during the year:
- Heavy fertilizing during the fall
- Light fertilizing during the spring
You want to fertilize in early spring, before the weather warms up, as cool-season grasses grow dormant in consistently hot temperatures.
Generally, cool-season grasses need one to two pounds of nitrogen-rich fertilizer annually for every 1,000 square feet of yard.
What Do Warm-Season Grasses Need in Spring?
Warm-season grasses grow in late spring and summer. Watch the forecast closely. Fertilize your lawn when temperatures consistently stay in the range of 80 to 95 degrees.
Warm-season grasses need three to four pounds of fertilizer annually for every 1,000 square feet of lawn.
Also, the application process is different for warm-season grass than cold. After applying fertilizer to warm-season grass, you want to water your lawn thoroughly. The water helps the fertilizer down into the soil.
What are the Main Benefits for Spring Fertilization?
Spring is the best time to fertilize your lawn for the following three reasons:
- Jump starts your lawn’s ability to grow
- Repairs damage from the winter months
- Helps add green color to your lawn quickly
Caring for your lawn in spring helps it stay healthy throughout the rest of the year.
What is the NPK Ratio?
Every type of fertilizer has an NPK ratio. It’s a three-number sequence that tells you the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. If you remember from above, those are the primary nutrients lawns need to stay healthy.
From left to right, here’s what the numbers in NPK mean:
- Nitrogen – Promotes growth and green coloring
- Phosphorus – Helps strengthen roots
- Potassium – Helps fight disease and damage from extreme temperatures
The numbers expressed are percentages. You want to tailor the fertilizer towards your lawn’s specific needs. For example, if your lawn is exposed to high or low temperatures, you probably want a fertilizer high in potassium.
For general growth in the spring, a mixture of 20-5-10 is standard.
Top Pick
Our top choice for fertilizer for spring use is the Advanced Natural Liquid Fertilizer from Simple Lawn Solutions. With an NPK ratio of 16-4-8 and a blend of seaweed and fish, it’s an effective organic solution for keeping your lawn lush and green.
Premium Choice
Although Super Juice All-in-One Lawn Fertilizer is a bit pricier than the other options on our list, it’s a premium product that contains a balanced blend of nutrients trusted by homeowners, golf course groundskeepers, and more.
Great Value
Save some money by selecting the two-in-one Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed Fertilizer. It boosts the health of your lawn while also removing and preventing unwanted weeds, including crabgrass.
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