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Each season’s climate influences approaches needed for effective suppression.

The best type of fertilizer depends on the type of grass and your desired end result. Generally speaking, slow-release fertilizers are best for grass, as they gradually release nutrients into your soil instead of all at once, which meets the needs of many grass types. However, the tradeoff is that slow-release fertilizers contain phosphorus, which negatively impacts local water quality. Also, some grasses require different formulations to meet the demands of the soil. Test your soil to see how acidic or alkaline it is before choosing a fertilizer. 

Whether organic or synthetic fertilizers are better for your lawn depends on your goals, budget, and plans for other lawn treatments. Organic fertilizer costs more but is likely to benefit your lawn more in the long run by improving the soil as well as feeding your grass. Synthetic fertilizers get faster results but don’t enrich the soil and may contaminate nearby bodies of water if you live on a shoreline. A hybrid fertilizer may be an option to give you the benefits found in both organic and synthetic fertilizers.

You should fertilize your lawn after it has grown at least two inches or after your second mow (usually in March or April). Applying fertilizer too early can feed your weeds and cause them to grow stronger, too. You should water your lawn two to three days before you apply fertilizer to ensure the soil absorbs it.