Is it too late to apply Step 3 Fertilizer?
You’re probably already aware: Our Step 3 All Purpose Greener fertilizer is a summer superstar that keeps your grass lush, green, and stress-free — even when Ohio’s heat pushes your turf to the brink.
But now that fall is approaching, can you still apply our Step 3 fertilizer? It turns out you can — but you’ll need to make a few tweaks to your game plan. We’ll explain below.
Can You Still Apply Step 3 Fertilizer?
The good news is that yes, you can still apply Step 3 in late summer or early fall — but you’ll need to tweak your expectations slightly. Originally, Step 3 was meant for midsummer, sometime between July 1 to September 1.
There are two reasons for that: To replenish nutrients depleted by spring and early summer growth, and to give your lawn what it needs to withstand the heat and stress that comes with the height of summer.
Applying Step 3 a bit later in September still delivers benefits even though the growing season is winding down. Your grass can still use that slow-release nitrogen and iron to keep green, stay strong, and gear up for fall and winter. By this point in the year, it’s less about recovering during summer stresses and more about prepping your turf for cooler weather by enabling the roots to store energy for the season ahead.
Application Tips for a Late Step 3 Fertilizer Application
Even in the fall, applying Step 3 is easy. Just follow the tips and tricks below:
- Keep an eye on timing. Apply in the morning or evening to avoid midday heat, which can cause leaf burn and hinder fertilizer absorption.
- Watch the weather. A light rain after fertilizing is fine, but avoid fertilizing when heavy rain is in the forecast.
- Mow the day before fertilizing to give the fertilizer time to settle in before you mow again.
- Use a broadcast spreader to spread Step 3 evenly at a rate of 50 pounds per 14,200 square feet.
- If you’re not expecting rain within 24 hours, give the lawn a light watering after fertilizing to help the fertilizer soak into the soil.
- Keep kids and pets off the lawn until the fertilizer has been watered in and the lawn is dry. It’s safer this way for everyone and helps your lawn absorb the fertilizer better.
Best Watering and Irrigation Strategies
When it comes time to water in Step 3, there are two ways to go about it, depending on whether you’re using a regular sprinkler or a yard irrigation system.
If you’re using sprinklers, give the lawn a light watering — no more than half an hour. All you need is enough water to rinse the fertilizer from the blades of grass so that it can start absorbing into the soil. Avoid giving your lawn a heavy soaking since that can dilute or wash away the fertilizer before it has a chance to take effect.
Similar rules apply if you have a yard irrigation system. Rather than letting it run overnight, just turn the system on for 15 minutes to half an hour after fertilizing to flush the fertilizer granules into the soil.
Can I Also Apply Compost Now?
Absolutely — and compost is a great partner to Step 3, especially when it comes to preparing your lawn for cooler months. Compost as fertilizer is fantastic for adding organic matter and promoting soil health, plus it helps to retain moisture, which is a big plus. We offer several different types of compost depending on your lawn’s needs. To apply it as a companion to Step 3, follow these tips:
- Apply the compost a few days before or a few days after Step 3. Avoid layering them at the same time because compost can inhibit fertilizer absorption.
- Use a spreader or a rake to apply a thin, even layer across your lawn. It only needs to be about a quarter inch thick.
- Use a rake to lightly work the compost into the top of the soil so that it isn’t sitting on top of the grass.
The Bottom Line
It’s not too late to apply our Step 3 All Purpose Greener fertilizer, especially if you adapt your strategy slightly using the details above. Stick with an early morning or evening application, a light watering afterward, and feel free to pair it with a soil amendment like compost before or after if you like. This approach will help your lawn get ready to ride out the fall and winter ahead.
And remember that we’re always here to help. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact us.
