How much fertilizer does your lawn need?
Work out how much to spread, choose between slow- and quick-release fertilizer, and feed the lawn evenly.
Start with the coverage on the bag
A bag labeled for 5,000 sq ft feeds 5,000 sq ft at its recommended rate. Smaller lawn? Use part of the bag. Bigger lawn? Buy more, but measure what you spread.
Measure your grass on the satellite map, leaving out paths and beds. Then use the coverage and weight on your exact bag.
Lawn area ÷ bag coverage × bag weight = pounds to apply. Use square feet for both areas and pounds for the bag weight.
Example: a 6,000 sq ft lawn, using a 12.5 lb bag labeled for 5,000 sq ft.
| What to work out | Amount |
|---|---|
| Apply this time | 6,000 ÷ 5,000 × 12.5 = 15 lb |
| Buy | Two 12.5 lb bags = 25 lb |
| Keep for later | 25 − 15 = 10 lb |
More fertilizer is not a shortcut to greener grass; too much can burn it. Keep leftovers dry in their closed, labeled bag, away from children and pets.
Slow-release or quick-release?
For routine feeding, look for a lawn fertilizer with some slow-release nitrogen.
- Slow-release: nutrients become available gradually, supporting steadier growth. It can still burn grass if you overapply.
- Quick-release: nutrients become available sooner for a faster green-up, but the effect is shorter-lived. Too much is more likely to burn grass.
Many bags blend both. Check the label for the slow-release portion and when to feed again.
Use maintenance fertilizer for established grass. Choose starter fertilizer for seed or sod when phosphorus is needed and local rules allow it. You do not need both.
What do the three numbers mean?
They are the percentages of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash. A 32-0-4 bag contains 32% nitrogen, no phosphate, and 4% potash. These numbers describe nutrients, not release speed.
A soil test helps identify phosphorus, potassium, and pH needs. Use your grass type and local extension guidance to plan when to feed. Count fertilizer already included with seed before adding more.
Spread the measured amount evenly
- Choose a suitable day. Follow the bag’s timing instructions. Skip frozen, waterlogged, or drought-stressed lawns and days ahead of heavy rain.
- Use your spreader’s label setting. Follow its pace and overlap instructions. Close the hopper when stopping or turning.
- Water in as directed. Sweep granules off paths onto the grass, away from drains. Follow the label before letting children or pets back onto the lawn.
Choose a spreader, or check its output if your model is missing from the bag.