Lawn fertilizer is like food for your grass. While water is essential, fertilizer provides the extra nutrients your lawn needs to properly thrive and survive.

Fertilizing your lawn results in thicker, greener grass and gives it the necessary strength to withstand harsh conditions (sun, heat, and traffic) by building deeper roots. An added benefit is that strong, dense turf naturally prevents weeds from taking over.

The letters N, P, and K stand for the three primary nutrients essential for grass health: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). The corresponding numbers (e.g., 32-0-4) represent the percentage of each nutrient present in the bag by weight.

Here's what each nutrient does:

• Nitrogen (N): Promotes growth and creates that desirable deep green color.
• Phosphorus (P): Encourages strong root development and helps seeds successfully sprout.
• Potassium (K): Increases the lawn's resistance to environmental stress, like drought and disease.

Since the main goal of lawn fertilizer is often to make the grass green and grow, Nitrogen (N) typically has the highest percentage on the bag.

The ideal time to apply lawn fertilizer is during the late afternoon or early evening while there is still daylight. Applying fertilizer during the intense heat of the day should be avoided, as the strong sun can cause the grass blades to burn.

Generally, you can apply most fertilizers to a wet or dry lawn. The exception is often weed-and-feed products, which frequently require a wet surface so the weed-killing granules can properly stick. Always consult the directions on the bag before applying.

The timing for watering your lawn after applying a lawn fertilizer varies by product. Some fertilizers need immediate watering, while others (like some weed-and-feed types) require a delay of a day or two. To be sure, you must check the directions printed on the bag.

For most Canadian lawns, which feature cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fescues, the recommended schedule is to fertilize twice in the spring and once in the fall, spacing each application at least 6 to 8 weeks apart. If your cool-season lawn remains green and actively growing throughout the summer, you can continue to fertilize during the summer months, ensuring you maintain the 6-to-8-week interval. However, if your grass turns brown and goes dormant due to summer heat and drought, you must temporarily stop feeding until it greens up and resumes growth in the early fall.

Plants need to be fed to grow well, produce blooms and fruit, and resist disease and bad weather. Because native soil is often nutrient-poor, you must start by improving it with fresh soil or potting mix. Since plants use up nutrients quickly (especially heavy feeders), it is critical to regularly fertilize them throughout the entire growing season.

Plant food primarily provides three essential nutrients, often represented by the letters N-P-K on the package:

• Nitrogen (N): Drives plant growth.
• Phosphorus (P): Encourages strong root development, more abundant blooms, and helps plants establish early.
• Potassium (K): Crucial for overall plant health, improving the plant's ability to resist disease and tolerate stressful conditions like drought and heat.

The series of numbers on the packaging (e.g., 12-4-8) indicates the percentage by weight of each nutrient in that order (N-P-K).

Besides the main three, most plant foods also contain beneficial secondary nutrients, such as calcium and magnesium. A complete list of all contained nutrients can be found on the back of the package.

Plant foods come in the form of continuous-release granules, liquids, and water-soluble powders or crystals. Continuous release granules feed plants over a longer time, while liquid and water soluble plant foods work faster but require more frequent application. Always check the product label for specific mixing and feeding instructions.

Ready to feed your plants? Getting started is easy!

Step 1: Choose Your Product. Which product to choose depends on your gardening style:

• For an easy, low-maintenance approach, pick a Continuous Release fertilizer.
• If you are a frequent gardener, Liquid or Water Soluble plant foods are a great fit.

Step 2: Start Feeding Early (but know when to wait)

• For best results, begin feeding in early spring so your plants have all the nutrients they need right away.
• New Plants in Miracle-Gro® Soil? Wait 30 days to start fertilizing. The soil mix already contains enough nutrients for the first month.

Step 3: Make a Plan and Set Reminders

• Consistency is key! Water soluble/liquid foods need to be applied more frequently (every 7–14 days), while continuous release fertilizers are applied less often (about every 6 weeks).
• Always check the label for specific application intervals.
• Once you know your schedule, use a recurring reminder on your phone or smart speaker—it's the best way to ensure you never miss a feeding!

Yes! Summer is when your plants are growing the fastest and need the most fuel.

• Continue your regular feeding schedule through the summer to support this period of rapid growth.
• Always follow the product label instructions precisely for application rates. Overfeeding is never a good idea. Consistency is key!