When to Fertilize Your Lawn in Michigan

The majority of Michigan lawns are made up of cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass and Turf-Type Fescue. These grasses grow most actively in spring and fall, slow down during hot summers and go dormant in harsh winter conditions.

Key climate factors that affect fertilization for these grass types include:

• Cold winters that require strong root systems to survive: Michigan’s harsh winters mean lawns need deep, healthy roots to withstand freezing temperatures and snow cover. Proper fall fertilization is essential to build these roots, helping grass emerge green and strong in spring.
• Wet springs that can promote quick growth (and quickly growing weeds): Spring in Michigan often brings abundant rainfall, which encourages quick grass growth but also creates ideal conditions for weed seeds like crabgrass to germinate. Apply fertilizer during the early growing season and make sure a pre-emergent weed control is applied before weeds start to germinate.
• Humid summers that stress lawns and increase disease risk: Summer humidity and heat can put cool-season grasses under significant stress, leading to thinning turf and vulnerability to diseases such as dollar spot and leaf spot. Light, slow-release fertilization during summer helps maintain lawn health without overstimulating growth that could weaken the grass.

The most accurate way to determine when to fertilize is to monitor soil temperatures and look for signs of active grass growth, rather than relying on set dates. TruGreen’s teams across Bloomfield Hills, Holland and Petoskey use this approach to customize fertilization for each lawn we care for. 

Most lawns in Michigan need 4-5 applications per year, but your schedule should be adjusted based on seasonal timing and the current health of your turf.

Over-fertilization can cause:

• Nutrient runoff into waterways
• Grass burn and damage
• Excessive top growth with weak roots

Watch for these signs that your lawn may need additional feeding:

• Yellowing despite adequate watering
• Thinning patches
• Slow recovery from mowing or foot traffic

Whether you live in Lansing, Dearborn or Kalamazoo, TruGreen can recommend the right fertilization frequency for your lawn’s specific conditions. 

Michigan’s diverse regions require tailored fertilization strategies. TruGreen serves communities across the state, from large cities to lakeshore towns, and adapts lawn care programs to match local growing conditions.

Southeast Michigan (Detroit, Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills, Livonia, Troy, Novi, Canton, Dearborn)

• A longer growing season provides more flexible application windows.
• Clay-heavy soils benefit from core aeration.
• Pre-emergent weed control is especially important for crabgrass and summer weed prevention.
• Lawns in Ann Arbor and Bloomfield Hills often need additional weed control to combat broadleaf weeds.

Northern Michigan (Traverse City, Petoskey, Alpena, Gaylord, Cadillac)

• Cooler soil temperatures delay spring applications until late spring.
• A shorter growing season means fall fertilization is critical for strong roots.
• Aeration and overseeding in late summer help lawns recover from seasonal stress.
• Lake-effect weather in areas like Traverse City can affect timing for the winterizer feeding.

Western Michigan (Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon, Kalamazoo, Benton Harbor, Lakeshore Communities)

• Watering your lawn is not only required for proper plant hydration, but it also helps push fertilizer into the soil for maximum root uptake.
• Humidity along the lakeshore increases the risk for lawn diseases such as read thread and brown patch.
• Summer feedings should be light to reduce stress on turf in high humidity.
• Sandy soils in Holland and Muskegon benefit from more frequent, smaller feedings. 

TruGreen offers customized fertilization programs across Michigan, backed by local expertise and years of experience in every region of the state. Our teams understand the differences between Ann Arbor’s clay-heavy soils, the sandy loam along Lake Michigan and the short growing season of the Upper Peninsula.

We handle the timing, application and product selection so you can enjoy a thick, green and healthy lawn all season long.

Contact TruGreen for the best lawn care in Michigan and let our experts create a fertilization plan tailored just for you!