Does your lawn look a little sad and thirsty when the summer sun beats down? You water it, you mow it, but it still just doesn’t have that vibrant green you dream about. Choosing the right fertilizer for the hottest months can feel like a puzzle. Too much of the wrong stuff can actually burn your grass, leaving you with brown patches instead of a lush carpet.
Figuring out what nutrients your lawn needs when it’s hot and dry is confusing. Should you use slow-release? Does it need more nitrogen? These questions stop many homeowners from giving their lawn the best care during this tough season. But don’t worry, we are here to clear up the confusion!
Inside this guide, we will break down exactly what your grass needs to thrive in the summer heat. You will learn how to pick a fertilizer that keeps your lawn green without stressing it out. Get ready to transform your yard into the neighborhood’s best-looking space. Let’s dive into the secrets of successful summer lawn feeding!
Top Lawn Fertilizer For Summer Recommendations
- Scotts Turf Builder SummerGuard Lawn Food with Insect Control kills and protects against listed bugs, and feeds and strengthens your lawn against heat and drought
- Controls listed lawn insects like ants, armyworms, chinch bugs, crickets, fleas, grasshoppers, spiders, and ticks
- Apply bug killer plus fertilizer to a dry lawn in the summertime when insect activity or damage is first observed
- This lawn care product can be used on any grass type
- One 13.35 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder SummerGuard Lawn Food with Insect Control covers 5,000 sq. ft.
- Scotts Turf Builder Summer Lawn Food is a fertilizer that builds strong, deep roots and greens grass with up to 50% less water (vs. unfed turf maintained using university guidelines for weekly volume water replacement for established turf)
- This 2-in-1 fertilizer plus water maximizer is powered by Everydrop Technology, a wetting agent which helps drives water into hard, dry soil
- Apply to a dry lawn in the summertime or in drought conditions
- This lawn care product can be used on all grass types
- One 9.42 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder Summer Lawn Food covers 4,000 sq. ft.
- Scotts Green Max Lawn Food is a dual-action fertilizer and iron formula that feeds your lawn and provides deep greening in just 3 days
- This lawn care product contains 5% iron, a micronutrient that enhances the greening process for fast results
- Apply this fertilizer plus iron supplement to any grass type in the spring, summer, or fall
- Guaranteed not to stain concrete, driveways, or other surfaces surrounding your lawn (when used as directed)
- One 16.67 lb. bag of Scotts Green Max Lawn Food covers 5,000 sq. ft.
- Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food feeds and strengthens grass to help protect against future problems
- Fertilizer builds strong, deep roots and improves the lawn's ability to absorb water and nutrients (vs. unfed lawn)
- Apply lawn care product to a wet or dry lawn
- Grass fertilizer works on any grass type
- One 12.5 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food covers 5,000 sq. ft.
- Complete NPK Lawn Food: 16-4-8 is the perfect blend of key macronutrients. This lawn liquid food turf fertilizer also contains Seaweed & Fish.
- Contains High Quality Feed Grade Ingredients: Nourish your lawn with pure liquid Nutrients in a ready to use sprayer
- Easy To Use: Designed to be easily applied. This complete Nitrogen, Phosphate and Potash formula gives your grass greening & growth while providing nutrients for lush lawns
- All Grass types: Including Bermuda, St. Augustine, Zoysia, Buffalo, Centipede, Florida Palmetto, Bahia, Fescue, Ryegrass & Kentucky Bluegrass
- Produced In The United States: 16-4-8 is manufactured in the United States of America, by a family owned business with 25 years of former experience in the commercial professional turf industry.
- Covers 6,000 sq ft (18 lb) - OR - 15,000 sq ft (45 lb)
- Contains 3% Iron + Bio-Nite
- Analysis is 7-0-20:: N-P-K
- Great for a hearty pop of color and sweet relief for a stressed lawn
- Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food feeds and strengthens grass to help protect against future problems
- Fertilizer builds strong, deep roots and improves the lawn's ability to absorb water and nutrients (vs. unfed lawn)
- Apply lawn care product to a wet or dry lawn
- Grass fertilizer works on any grass types
- One 37.50 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food covers 15,000 sq. ft.
- High Phosphorus, High Potassium Lawn Food: If your lawn is showing symptoms of a Phosphorus and Potassium deficiency or if you want to maintain lawn health then this is the correct fertilizer for you!
- Made With High Quality Feed Grade Ingredients: Nourish your lawn to its top potential with quality liquid lawn Nutrients.
- Easy To Use: Designed to be easily applied. This high Phosphorus & Potassium Lawn Food gives your lawn the nutrients it needs for strong root development, vigor, and strength.
- Can Be Used on All Grass Types: Including Bermuda, St. Augustine, Zoysia, Buffalo, Centipede, Palmetto & Bluegrass Lawns.
- Easy to Use: Our 3-18-18 Lawn Fertilizer Food comes with a ready-to-use hose end sprayer that applies the perfect ratio of product for lawn applications. Covers up to 3,200 square feet, when using the attached sprayer.
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Summer Lawn Fertilizer
Summer heat puts a lot of stress on your grass. Proper feeding helps your lawn stay green and strong when temperatures rise. This guide helps you pick the right fertilizer to beat the summer slump.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for summer lawn food, certain features make a big difference in your lawn’s health.
- **Slow-Release Nitrogen:** This is the most important feature. Slow-release nitrogen feeds your lawn slowly over several weeks. This prevents sudden, fast growth that burns easily in the heat. It gives steady nutrition.
- **Low or Zero Phosphorus:** Many established lawns already have enough phosphorus (the middle number in the N-P-K ratio). Check local rules, as some areas limit phosphorus use to protect waterways. Summer formulas often keep this number low.
- **Micronutrients:** Look for added iron or sulfur. Iron helps your grass develop a deep green color without forcing too much growth. This is great for summer color boosts.
- **Weed and Pest Control (Optional):** Some summer fertilizers include extra ingredients to fight common summer weeds or pests like grubs. Decide if you want an all-in-one product or prefer separate treatments.
Important Materials Inside Your Fertilizer
Fertilizers use three main nutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K).
Nitrogen (N): This fuels green, leafy growth. For summer, you want the nitrogen source to be slow-releasing (like sulfur-coated urea or polymer-coated urea). This stops the grass from getting “fried” by the sun.
Potassium (K): Potassium is the “hardiness” nutrient. It helps your lawn handle stress, including heat, drought, and disease. Summer formulas should have a decent amount of K to build resilience.
Organic vs. Synthetic: Synthetic fertilizers offer precise, fast feeding. Organic fertilizers (like Milorganite) release nutrients slowly as microbes break them down, often improving soil health over time. Many people use slow-release synthetic for immediate summer feeding and organic for long-term soil building.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of your summer fertilizer depends on how well it works with your lawn’s summer needs.
Factors that Improve Quality:
- High percentage of slow-release nitrogen sources.
- Inclusion of potassium for heat tolerance.
- A granular form that spreads evenly.
Factors that Reduce Quality:
- High amounts of fast-release nitrogen. This causes rapid growth that quickly wilts in hot, dry conditions.
- Applying too heavily. Over-fertilizing in summer is the fastest way to burn your lawn. Always follow the bag’s directions carefully.
- Applying when the lawn is already stressed or dormant. Wait until the grass is actively growing again.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the fertilizer affects your results.
Spreader Use: Most high-quality summer fertilizers come in granules. Use a broadcast or drop spreader to ensure even application. Uneven spreading leads to stripes of dark green next to pale, hungry grass.
Watering In: Always water the fertilizer in immediately after application, unless the product specifically says otherwise. Watering helps move the nutrients down to the roots and prevents the granules from burning the blades of grass.
Best Use Case: Summer feeding is generally lighter than spring feeding. Use it to maintain color and help the grass recover from stress, not to force massive growth. If you live in a very hot, dry climate where grass goes dormant, skip summer feeding entirely.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Lawn Fertilizer
Q: Should I fertilize my lawn in the middle of summer heat?
A: It depends on your grass type and how hot it gets. Cool-season grasses (like Fescue or Bluegrass) often need a light feeding or none at all if temperatures stay above 85°F. Warm-season grasses (like Bermuda or Zoysia) thrive on summer feeding.
Q: What N-P-K ratio is best for summer?
A: Look for ratios that are high in Nitrogen (N) and Potassium (K) and low in Phosphorus (P). Something like 20-0-10 or 25-5-15, featuring slow-release nitrogen, is usually ideal.
Q: Can fertilizer burn my lawn in the summer?
A: Yes, it can easily burn your lawn. Fast-releasing nitrogen applied too heavily or without watering it in will scorch the grass blades when the sun hits them.
Q: How often should I apply summer fertilizer?
A: Unlike spring when you might feed monthly, summer feeding should be spaced out. Most experts recommend one light application mid-summer (July or August) if the lawn is still actively growing.
Q: What is the difference between summer and spring fertilizer?
A: Spring fertilizer focuses on fast, strong growth. Summer fertilizer focuses on stress tolerance, color maintenance, and uses slow-release ingredients to avoid burning.
Q: Does iron in fertilizer help during the summer?
A: Yes, iron helps deepen the green color without stimulating excessive growth, which is perfect for summer maintenance.
Q: Should I use liquid or granular fertilizer for summer?
A: Both work well. Granular is easier to spread evenly across large areas. Liquid offers very quick, targeted feeding but requires more careful application.
Q: My grass is dormant (brown). Should I fertilize it now?
A: No. Do not fertilize dormant grass. Fertilizer feeds active growth. Wait until you see green shoots returning before applying any food.
Q: How much water should I apply after feeding?
A: Water enough to soak the top inch or two of soil. This washes the fertilizer off the blades and into the root zone. Light sprinkling is not enough.
Q: Can I mow right after fertilizing?
A: Wait at least 24 hours after fertilizing before mowing. This gives the product time to settle and absorb into the soil, reducing the chance of sucking up the granules with your clippings.