How Much Does Lawn Fertilization Cost in 2024?

Hiring a professional for lawn fertilization costs around $289 for the average lawn, with most homeowners paying between $103 and $343.

If you have a smaller lawn, you will pay less. If you have a bigger lawn, you likely will pay more. Other factors affecting the cost of lawn fertilization include the kind of fertilizer you are using and whether you hire a pro or handle the lawn fertilization yourself.

In this pricing guide, we’ll cover:

• Average Lawn Fertilization Costs in 2024
• Lawn Fertilization Cost Estimator by Size
• Other Factors That Affect Cost
• Related Services
• Cost of DIY Lawn Fertilization
• Cost of Lawn Fertilization by Location
• FAQ

Average Lawn Fertilization Costs in 2024

National Average Cost	$289
Typical Price Range	$103 – $343
Extreme Low-End Cost	$42
Extreme High-End Cost	$733

Lawn fertilization costs will depend on several factors, including where you live and the specific needs of your turfgrass. The national average cost of fertilization is around $289, with most lawn care companies charging anywhere from $103 to $343.

Some homeowners choose to bundle lawn fertilization with additional services like aeration, dethatching, mowing, and weed removal. Although this may increase the overall price, it enhances nutrient absorption and promotes a lush, green lawn.

Keep in mind that using liquid fertilizers for quicker results or crystalline fertilizers to address specific soil deficiencies can contribute to higher costs, up to $733.

Lawn Fertilization Cost Estimator by Yard Size

As your lawn size increases, the overall fertilization expenses go up, but the cost per square foot generally decreases.

For a 5,000-square-foot yard, companies may charge between $0.02 and $0.07 per square foot. However, fertilizing a half-acre lawn can be done at a cost ranging from $0.01 to $0.04 per square foot.

Other Factors That Affect Cost

Apart from the size of your lawn, other factors can affect the overall cost of lawn fertilization, including the type of fertilizer, labor costs, and how many bags of fertilizers are needed.

Type of Fertilizer

Fertilizer is typically made by combining three chemicals that help plants grow: phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. Most fertilizers will be based on different ratios of these three chemicals, though some will include herbicides to get rid of weeds.

Type of Fertilizer	Average Cost Range
Crystalline	$162 – $470
Fast-release	$104 – $321
Slow-release	$162 – $470
Granular	$130 – $350
Liquid	$150 – $554
Moss and fungus control	$104 – $325
Water soluble	$146 – $370
Weed and feed	$104 – $325

Not sure what kind of fertilizer you need? These are the most common fertilizer types with a bit on how they work:

Crystalline fertilizers: These fertilizers are typically in the form of small crystals that dissolve slowly, releasing nutrients gradually over time to nourish plants and promote sustained growth. Applying crystalline fertilizers, which cost between $162 and $470, ensures a steady and long-lasting supply of essential nutrients for healthy plant development.

Fast-release fertilizers: Opting for fast-release fertilizers means a lower upfront cost, but you’ll need to make more frequent purchases. For an average-sized yard, most homeowners spend between $104 and $321 on fast-release fertilizers.

Slow-release fertilizers: Slow-release fertilizers, which usually cost between $162 and $470, are designed to gradually release their chemicals over time. These are perfect if you want to fertilize your lawn infrequently or are concerned about over-fertilizing.

Granular fertilizers: This time-release fertilizer is the safest type to use for DIY fertilization since it helps protect the plants. The results may take time, but the benefits usually last longer than other types of fertilizers. Expect to pay between $130 and $350 for this type of fertilizer.

Liquid fertilizers: Liquid fertilizers, which cost around $150 to $554, quickly release chemicals. If you want to brighten your lawn fast and jumpstart its growth, liquid fertilizers are a good way to go. However, you must know the required dose for your lawn since it’s easy to overdo it. Professionals use a sprayer to apply it, but you can use a regular hose for DIY fertilization.

Moss and fungus control: These fertilizers often include substances like iron and other fungicides to prevent the development of unwanted moss and fungal issues, promoting a healthier and more vibrant lawn. Expect to spend around $104 to $325 if you need to use this fertilizer type.

Water-soluble fertilizers: If you don’t mix this solution correctly, you risk burning your grass. Due to this complexity, it’s advisable to leave the use of water-soluble fertilizers to professionals. The total cost, covering both fertilizer and labor, can be anywhere from $146 to $370 for lawns between 5,000 and 10,000 square feet.

Weed and feed: These blends mix herbicides with conventional fertilizer. Costing around $104 to $325, they are more commonly used to treat weeds that have already established themselves on the lawn.

Labor Costs

Lawn fertilization service costs are also influenced by the expertise of the lawn care professionals applying the lawn treatment. Labor costs, ranging from $40 to $80 per hour, can vary based on numerous factors, including the type of fertilizer application required and your location.

Fertilizer Formulation

Fertilizer Formulation	Average Price Range
Synthetic	$88 – $264
Organic	$175 – $434

Synthetic Fertilizers

You can easily find this type of fertilizer in your local garden center. They are fast-acting and potent, helping you achieve a healthy lawn much quicker.

However, these fertilizers prioritize plant growth over enriching the soil and may lack certain micronutrients present in organic alternatives. To address this, experts recommend incorporating organic fertilizers into your routine at least once a year, ideally during the summer or fall.

Organic Fertilizers

Organic fertilizers are made from naturally occurring compounds like blood meal, crushed shells, powdered manure, and wood. Homeowners like using these fertilizers because they are eco-friendly and easier on the environment.

Organic fertilizers are also great if you are not as experienced in lawn care. Why? Organic fertilizers decompose slowly, so you can avoid over-fertilizing. For DIY lawn fertilization, the fertilizer itself is usually pretty low-cost.

Related Services

Fertilization is often bundled with other yard care services, such as aeration, dethatching, grub treatment, overseeding, and weed control services. Here are a few commonly bundled services in case you want to take your turf to the next level:

Aeration

To make fertilization more effective, remember to aerate your lawn before fertilizing. Expect to pay $143 on average, or between $82 and $251 for lawn aeration. This lawn care service can help put an end to soil compaction by sticking spikes in the ground. It will break up clots of dirt that prevent your roots from getting needed water and nutrients.

To optimize the benefits, consider the following aeration schedule:

• Warm-season grasses: Choose the late spring to early summer window for aeration. This timeframe aligns with the active growth phase of warm-season grasses.
• Cold-season grasses: Optimal aeration times for cold-season grasses are either in early spring or late fall. These periods ensure the grass is receptive to the rejuvenating effects of aeration.

Dethatching

Similar to aeration, lawn dethatching often precedes fertilization to create room for root growth so your grass can soak up needed nutrients. This process of removing the topmost layer of organic material in your soil usually costs an average of $196 or between $145 and $247.

Grub Control

Your turf can only support about five grubs per square foot before these natural pests start damaging your lawn. Letting a grub infestation get out of control can ruin the appearance of your yard. Costing between $36 and $96, grub treatments typically involve spraying insecticides to reduce the population.

Mowing

Before applying fertilizer, remember to mow your lawn. This approach can help enhance nutrient penetration into the soil and grassroots. It’s advisable to apply fertilizer at least two days after mowing the lawn.

If you’ll be doing the task yourself, a lawn mower costs between $129 and $2,960. But if you want to hire a professional, lawn mowing costs around $36 to $105.

Overseeding

Overseeding is the laying down of new grass seed over the top of your lawn without tearing up existing grass. This lawn care service is a great way to replant bald patches and thinning parts of your lawn.

Soil Amendments

Before fertilizing your lawn, check if your lawn needs additional lime or sulfur by doing a soil test. Adding sulfur when the soil pH is over 7.5 or lime when pH levels are lower than 5.5 can help boost grass growth and nutrient absorption. Expect to pay around $80 to $175 for these soil amendments.

Weed Removal

You also should consider removing weeds before lawn fertilization if you don’t want to feed them along with your turf. Doing so can help prevent the weeds from spreading and competing with the grass for nutrients. Remember to hire a landscaping pro if you don’t have time to remove the weeds yourself.

For example, crabgrass is a very opportunistic weed that can crowd out your turf. Crabgrass treatment, which costs around $28 to $87, is a common add-on to fertilization that involves spreading specialized herbicides in targeted areas of your lawn to keep this aggressive weed from taking over.

Pro Tip: Opting for a professional lawn care package offers a comprehensive solution covering essential services like mowing, aeration, and fertilization. The cost is generally more budget-friendly when bundled in a package compared to individual service rates.

Cost of DIY Lawn Fertilization

Maybe you’d rather fertilize the lawn yourself. If you go the DIY lawn fertilization route, you likely will need to purchase a fertilizer spreader. It might not be necessary if you only have a small area to fertilize. However, a spreader will give you an even application and a quicker work time.

Let’s compare the prices for two types of spreaders: handheld and broadcast spreaders. You carry handheld spreaders around your lawn, while broadcast fertilizer spreaders are usually wheeled across the grass.

DIY Equipment/Materials	Typical Cost
Handheld spreader	$11 – $35
Broadcast spreader	$88 – $282
Granular fertilizer	$27 – $72
Total DIY cost	$38 – $107 for lawns under 5,000 square feet$115 – $354 for lawns over 5,000 square feet

Before you get started, let’s cover the pros and cons of DIY lawn fertilization:

Pros: You’ll save money. It’s much more affordable to simply buy fertilizer and distribute it yourself. You also might enjoy the satisfaction of taking care of your own lawn.

Cons: DIY lawn fertilization will take some time, so you may need to trim your weekend plans. It’s also easy to over- or under-fertilize your lawn if you’re not sure how much to lay down.

Cost of Lawn Fertilization by Location

Where you live can affect how much it costs to fertilize your lawn. There are a few key reasons for this. The balance of supply and demand will change from town to town. And if you’re in a city where the cost of living is high, you’ll likely pay more for lawn fertilization. Moreover, the cost of labor, transportation, and materials also vary by region.

FAQ

When Are the Best Times of the Year to Fertilize?

For warm-season grasses like bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass, the best time to fertilize is during late spring to early summer when they are actively growing.

On the other hand, cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass and fescue, benefit most from fertilization during early fall or early spring. It’s during this time when this type of grass experiences peak growth.

How Often Should You Fertilize Your Lawn?

We recommend fertilizing at least once or twice a year.

What’s Wrong With Over- or Under-Fertilizing Your Lawn?

There are a few problems with over-fertilization. You can have a buildup of organic material that leads to root rot and will damage your lawn. Over-fertilization also harms the environment as rainwater runoff can carry lawn care chemicals to local waterways.

There are no real dangers with under-fertilizing your yard, except that your lawn may take longer to recover from the effects of winter or have a harder time fending off weeds or grubs.

Final Thoughts

Your lawn needs nutrients and TLC to stay healthy and green like a golf course. While hiring a professional for lawn fertilization costs between $103 and $343, your total cost will depend on your yard size, how much fertilizer you need, the type of fertilizer used, and whether you prefer to hire a pro or do the work yourself.

If you decide expert help is the way to go, contact a lawn care pro near you and ask about their lawn fertilization services.

Note: LawnStarter may get a referral fee for matching you with contractors in your area.

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