Landscapers: Stop Fertilizing Your Lawn Until Mid-July
Most homeowners fertilize in June because growth looks lush, but summer heat actually locks nutrients in the soil before grass roots can absorb them. You're wasting money and burning your lawn green-to-brown in a matter of weeks across our region's heat cycles.
Ask your landscaper for a soil pH test before recommending fertilizer. If your soil reads above 7.2, nitrogen sits unavailable to roots no matter how much you apply. The smart move is a light compost topdressing now for slow nutrient release, then hold off on chemical fertilizer until soil temperatures drop below 85 degrees consistently, typically mid-July. This timing lets roots actually feed during the cooler second half of summer.
When you call for a quote, ask specifically what they'd recommend in June versus July, and why. Contractors who push full feeding schedules in early summer are prioritizing volume, not lawn health. A reputable landscaper will adjust timing to your soil type and seasonal conditions.