The Best Lawn Fertilizers for Spring

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Lawn Fertilizers for Spring and hope the blog can help you.

A well-fertilized lawn is a happy lawn, and that’s easy to achieve with one of the best lawn fertilizers for spring.

All lawns require nutrients to grow and thrive, but often there isn’t enough occurring naturally in the soil. The best lawn fertilizer for spring replenishes these nutrients and optimizes conditions for the main growing season. Generally, lawns should be fertilized at least twice yearly. Yet while the best time to fertilize lawns depends on the grass type and soil condition, almost all lawns can benefit from fertilizing at some point in the spring.

Not any random fertilizer will do the trick, however, and in fact there are many factors to consider when choosing a yard fertilizer. Lawn condition, environmental concerns, and fertilizer composition are all important considerations that will be explored ahead. Use this guide to read up on today’s top products plus essential shopping info so that you can nurture and maintain a lush, green yard.

1. BEST OVERALL: Espoma Organic Lawn Food Spring Lawn Booster
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Urban Farm Fertilizer Liquid Lawn Fertilizer
3. BEST LIQUID: GS Plant Foods Organic Liquid Fish 
4. BEST WEED AND FEED: Espoma Organic Weed Preventer
5. BEST PLANT-BASED: The Andersons 7-1-2 Innova Organic Fertilizer
6. BEST WITHOUT PHOSPHORUS: Safer Brand 9335SR Lawn Restore Lawn Fertilizer
7. BEST FOR GREENING: Milorganite 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer
8. BEST FOR LAWN AND GARDEN: AgroThrive Organic General Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
9. ALSO CONSIDER: Scotts Natural Lawn Food

Before You Buy a Lawn Fertilizer for Spring

When choosing a fertilizer for grass, it’s important to consider its potential for harm. Lawn fertilizers can have far-reaching effects on the environment and human health, including the potential to harm wildlife and contaminate groundwater. Some fertilizers are safer than others.

Lawn fertilizers can be broadly broken down into two categories depending on their ingredients: organic and chemical. Organic or natural fertilizers are directly derived from plants or animals. They can contain ingredients like alfalfa, cottonseed meal, seaweed, manure, or bone meal. Inorganic or chemical fertilizers are synthetically produced, often from mineral deposits.

The ingredients in organic fertilizer are often in a natural and minimally processed form, which means they take longer for lawns to absorb, while chemical fertilizers are already in a usable form and absorb more quickly. Organic options are generally safer than chemical fertilizers due to their natural ingredients and the fact that they don’t produce chemical runoff (although some runoff from organic fertilizers can also still be harmful). For either type, it’s crucial to always follow the directions on the usage label to reduce health and environmental risks.

It may be best to do a soil test to determine which nutrients the lawn is lacking before choosing a lawn fertilizer. (It’s usually necessary to test the soil about every 1 to 3 years, or more often, as needed.) The results allow folks to choose grass food with the nutrients their lawn needs, which can help reduce potential harm to the lawn and the environment.

How We Chose the Best Lawn Fertilizers for Spring

Natural lawn fertilizers come with several benefits, both for the soil and the environment. Their lack of synthetic ingredients means they don’t produce chemical runoff. Depending on the ingredients list, they can pose less of a risk to people and pets compared to chemical options. Plus, they benefit the soil in the long run, often lasting longer than chemical options and improving soil structure, water movement, and the health of soil microorganisms over time. For these reasons, we mainly stuck with organic lawn fertilizers for the top picks in this guide.

The ideal fertilizer formula will vary from lawn to lawn, so we prioritized other factors. We chose the best lawn-care products that are highly rated for their effectiveness and ease of use. Since fertilizing has to occur semi frequently, we also considered price, choosing a range of budget-friendly options.

Our Top Picks

A healthy lawn is key to curb appeal, but grass demands proper care to look lush and green. Wondering what fertilizer to use in spring? We’ve rounded up some of the best lawn fertilizers for yard maintenance.

Best Overall

Espoma Organic Lawn Food Spring Lawn Booster

As a reputable brand in organic lawn products, Espoma Organic Lawn Booster fertilizer was a natural choice as our top pick. This organic fertilizer is derived from feather meal, poultry manure, and gypsum to create an all-natural and nonburning slow-release fertilizer. An added ingredient, calcium, helps to strengthen lawns and protect from disease.

Nitrogen deficiency is the most common deficiency in most lawns, so to suit a broad range of lawns and boost springtime growth, this fertilizer has a nitrogen-rich formula. What’s more, the 8-0-0 nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) ratio means it doesn’t include phosphorus or potassium, which will be welcome news to folks whose lawns don’t have these deficiencies. (For a detailed discussion of NPK ratio, see the section NPK Ratio below our product reviews.) This fertilizer comes in granule form, and the 30-pound bag will provide up to 5,000 square feet of lawn coverage.

Product Specs 

• NPK ratio: 8-0-0
• Quantity: 30 pounds
• Coverage: Up to 5,000 square feet

Pros

• Nitrogen-rich formula helps nourish soil for healthier, greener grass
• Fortified with calcium to improve lawn strength and protect from disease
• Suitable for all grass types, including newly seeded and sodded areas

Cons

• Not suitable for lawns with phosphorus or potassium deficiencies
• Some reviewers note this fertilizer has an unpleasant smell

Get the Espoma Organic Lawn Booster lawn fertilizer for spring at Amazonor Ace Hardware.

Best Bang for the Buck

Urban Farm Fertilizer Liquid Lawn Fertilizer

Affordable and super concentrated, this 1-gallon bottle of Urban Farm Fertilizer Liquid Lawn fertilizer makes enough product to treat a 5,000-square-foot lawn at least eight times (treating up to around 60,000 square feet of lawn in total).

This high-nitrogen formula provides a concentrated boost of nitrogen for grass growth and greening. It has an NPK ratio of 13-1-2, plus it’s fortified with a range of other nutrients, including magnesium, sulfur, and iron. These nutrients are derived from sources like bat guano, worm castings, and sea kelp. This fertilizer is a liquid option, so frequent treatments are recommended—Urban Farm specifies two or three times a month for most lawns.

Product Specs 

• NPK ratio: 13-1-2
• Quantity: 1 gallon
• Coverage: Up to 60,000 square feet

Pros

• Formula has a high nitrogen content, as well as extra nutrients for grass health
• The ultra-concentrated liquid formula makes this a very affordable choice
• Up to 60,000 square feet of yard coverage from a single 1-gallon bottle

Cons

• Requires more frequent application than many granule fertilizers

Get the Urban Farm Fertilizer lawn fertilizer for spring at Amazon.

Best Liquid

GS Plant Foods Organic Liquid Fish

GS Plant Foods Organic Liquid Fish lives up to its name; this liquid fertilizer is literally derived from fish. It’s an all-natural option that’s packed with nutrients, including trace minerals, amino acids, calcium, and enzymes. The slow-release formula provides nourishment to soil for up to 15 weeks, though users should apply it every 4 weeks for optimal results.

With a 2-3-1 NPK ratio, this fertilizer is an excellent choice for lawn maintenance, but it can also be used for other plants as well, from indoor houseplants to a vegetable garden. Its natural formula improves soil quality and promotes root growth for healthier lawns.

Product Specs 

• NPK ratio: 2-3-1
• Quantity: 1 gallon
• Coverage: Up to 10,890 square feet

Pros

• Fish-derived formula provides a range of natural macro- and micro- nutrients
• Safe for use on all plants, from lawns to shrubs to vegetable gardens
• Recommended to reapply every 4 weeks, which is less frequent than many other liquid fertilizers

Cons

• Fishy smell can be off-putting, though it fades over time

Get the GS Plant Foods lawn fertilizer for spring at Amazon.

Best Weed and Feed

Espoma Organic Weed Preventer

Weed-and-feed products pack a two-in-one punch, choking out weeds while also fertilizing lawns. Espoma Organic Weed Preventer is the best weed and feed for spring, with a natural ingredients list that doesn’t include any potentially harmful herbicides or fertilizers. This product is made from 100 percent corn gluten meal, a natural product that helps prevent new weeds from growing. It’s effective on established lawns against dandelions, crabgrass, and other common weeds.

In terms of fertilizing, this fertilizer has an NPK ratio of 9-0-0. It’s a slow-release option that provides nonburning and long-lasting greening. The 25-pound bag of granules feeds up to 2,500 square feet of lawn as fertilizer, or up to 1,250 square feet of coverage for weed prevention. Its ultrasafe ingredients list means that children and pets can play on the lawn immediately after it’s set down.

Product Specs 

• NPK ratio: 9-0-0
• Quantity: 25 pounds
• Coverage: Up to 2,500 square feet

Pros

• Does not include chemical herbicides or fertilizers; made from 100 percent corn gluten meal
• Keeps new weeds from growing while also fertilizing the lawn
• Lawn is safe for people and pets to use immediately after application

Cons

• Won’t kill existing weeds—only prevents new weeds from sprouting
• Only suitable for use on established lawns

Get the Espoma Organic Weed Preventer lawn fertilizer for spring at Ace Hardware, Overstock, or Amazon.

Best Plant-Based

The Andersons 7-1-2 Innova Organic Fertilizer

There are a few reasons why a gardener might choose a plant-based fertilizer. First, it’s suitable for those who avoid using animal products, and second, there are no biosolids, manure, or animal parts involved (or the smells that come along with these common fertilizer ingredients). The Andersons 7-1-2 Innova organic fertilizer is derived from soybean meal and contains no animal ingredients or composted waste products.

This granular fertilizer is organic, slow-release, and OMRI listed, which means it meets the Organic Materials Review Institute’s requirements and is suitable for organic gardening. It has an NPK ratio of 7-1-2, so it’s a balanced fertilizer option. Suitable for all grass types and climates, it’s safe for homes with children and pets as well as for use around environmentally sensitive waterways.

Product Specs 

• NPK ratio: 7-1-2
• Quantity: 40 pounds
• Coverage: Up to11,000 square feet

Pros

• 100 percent plant-derived and does not contain animal parts, waste products, manure, or biosolids
• Low-dust and homogenous-size granules make application even and easy
• Does not have an unpleasant smell like some fertilizers with animal products
• OMRI-listed and is suitable for organic lawns and gardens

Cons

• A few reviewers reported bugs in the product

Get The Andersons lawn fertilizer for spring at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Best without Phosphorus

Safer Brand 9335SR Lawn Restore Lawn Fertilizer

With a 9-0-2 NPK ratio, Safer Brand Lawn Restore fertilizer doesn’t contain phosphorus, making it a good choice for lawns that already have enough of this nutrient. It’s also well suited to centipede and St. Augustine lawns, which often don’t need a phosphorus fertilizer. Though specially formulated for revitalizing and thickening lawns, it’s an excellent option for eco-conscious shoppers who don’t want to contribute to unnecessary phosphorus runoff.

This slow-release fertilizer is nonburning and works to strengthen root systems for healthier grass. One 20-pound bag of fertilizer granules provides up to 5,000 square feet of lawn coverage. When used as directed, the lawn is safe for people and pets to use immediately after application and only needs to be reapplied every 8 weeks or so.

Product Specs 

• NPK ratio: 9-0-2
• Quantity: 20 pounds
• Coverage: 5,000 square feet

Pros

• Does not have phosphorus; ideal for lawns that have enough of this nutrient
• Formula helps thicken lawns by strengthening grass-root systems
• Long lasting; allows you to go up to 8 weeks between applications

Cons

• Some users found this product dusty, which can make it unpleasant to spread

Get the Safer Brand lawn fertilizer for spring at Amazon, Ace Hardware, Tractor Supply Co., or Safer Brand.

Best for Greening

Milorganite 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer

Due to the addition of iron, Milorganite 0636 organic nitrogen fertilizer is the best fertilizer for yellow grass on our list because that yellow color is often due to an iron deficiency. Iron can help grass grow vibrant green and healthy, and Milorganite uses an organically complex iron that feeds consistently during the fertilizing period. Bonus: The iron won’t stain concrete like some products can.

This fertilizer formula is nonburning and slow-release, feeding lawns for up to 10 weeks. It has an NPK ratio of 6-4-0, with an emphasis on nitrogen for grass growth. The bag includes 36 pounds of granules to cover 2,500 square feet.

Product Specs 

• NPK ratio: 6-4-0
• Quantity: 36 pounds
• Coverage: 2,500 square feet

Pros

• Includes iron to help aid in grass greening and soil health
• Iron ingredients are nonstaining and won’t mark concrete pathways and driveways
• Slow-release formula feeds lawns for up to 10 weeks

Cons

• NPK ratio of product can fluctuate due to manufacturing process

Get the Milorganite lawn fertilizer for spring at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or Lowe’s.

Best for Lawn and Garden

AgroThrive Organic General Purpose Liquid Fertilizer

There are a few fertilizers in this lineup that can work for both lawn and garden, but AgroThrive liquid fertilizer is our top pick for this purpose. The versatile general-purpose fertilizer is formulated for “everything that grows,” according to the manufacturer. Safe to use in the backyard and the veggie patch, it’s OMRI listed, which means it’s a good choice for organic gardening. It doesn’t include any manure, but is instead derived from corn steep liquor and fermented fish byproducts.

For faster results, this fertilizer has both fast-release and slow-release ingredients. It comes in a liquid form with a 3-3-2 NPK ratio. A few bottle sizes are available; the 2.5-gallon concentrate container makes up to 160 gallons of fertilizer, though coverage area is not specified.

Product Specs