As summer fades and cooler fall weather arrives, it’s the perfect time to give your lawn, trees, and shrubs the care they need to thrive through October and November. With the right fertilizer and adjusted watering habits, you can ensure your entire landscape—grass, trees, and shrubs—remains vibrant and healthy well into the fall season. Here’s how to make it happen:

Why Fertilize Now?

Your landscape has endured a lot this summer. Constant watering to combat the heat likely washed essential nutrients past the root zones of your grass, trees, and shrubs, leaving them hungry for a nutrient boost. Fall’s cooler nights and shorter days reduce plant stress, making it an ideal time for lawns, trees, and shrubs to absorb and utilize fertilizers effectively, setting them up for resilience and beauty through the cooler months.

We recommend a 16-8-8 fertilizer with 15% sulfur and 5% iron or a balanced fertilizer like Carl Pool 13-13-13 Controlled Release, depending on your landscape’s specific needs. Both options provide the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) that grass, trees, and shrubs need, along with secondary nutrients and micronutrients to address deficiencies caused by summer’s heavy watering.

Jericho’s custom-formulated 16-8-8 fertilizer with 15% sulfur and 5% iron is an excellent choice for landscapes, especially in alkaline soil regions. The higher sulfur content lowers soil pH, making iron and other nutrients more accessible to grass, trees, and shrubs. Iron deficiency often appears as yellowing leaves or grass blades with green veins, particularly in fall when chlorophyll production slows. The extra iron in this formula helps maintain deep green foliage, while sulfur enhances nutrient efficiency across your landscape.

The Carl Pool 13-13-13 Controlled Release is a slow-release granular fertilizer designed to feed your lawn, trees, and shrubs steadily over 3–4 months, making it perfect for fall application. Its balanced NPK ratio—13% nitrogen for lush foliage, 13% phosphate for strong roots, and 13% potash for overall health and disease resistance—ensures comprehensive nutrition for all your plants. Its secondary nutrients and micronutrients, delivered via fritted trace elements for both immediate and gradual release, include:

• Sulfur (6.10%): Enhances nutrient uptake and lowers soil pH in alkaline soils, unlocking nutrients like iron and phosphorus for grass, trees, and shrubs.
• Magnesium (1.30%): Supports chlorophyll production for photosynthesis, preventing yellowing leaves (chlorosis) and boosting energy transfer.
• Iron (1.60%): Promotes vibrant green foliage by aiding chlorophyll synthesis, preventing yellowing or burning at leaf edges.
• Copper (0.06%): Strengthens cell walls and supports reproductive growth, improving overall plant vigor.
• Manganese (0.06%): Enhances photosynthesis and root growth, preventing spotting or streaking on leaves.
• Zinc (0.06%): Regulates hormone production and supports carbohydrate and protein synthesis, ensuring healthy growth and resilience.

These micronutrients are especially valuable in controlled-release formulas, providing steady nutrition without the risk of over-application. This makes Carl Pool 13-13-13 ideal for lawns, trees, shrubs, vegetables, flowers, and even houseplants.

Adjust Your Watering for Fall

Summer’s intense heat likely required frequent watering, but as days shorten and nights cool, the water needs of your lawn, trees, and shrubs decrease. Switch to watering two to three times a week to prevent overwatering, which can leach nutrients and stress plants. Overwatering during summer may have already washed nutrients past root zones, so fertilizing now is critical to replenish what’s been lost across your landscape.

Why Fall Fertilizing Pays Off

Fertilizing in fall strengthens your lawn, trees, and shrubs for the cooler months. Nitrogen promotes lush foliage, phosphorus builds strong roots for winter resilience, and potassium boosts overall health and disease resistance. Sulfur and iron address common deficiencies, especially in alkaline soils, ensuring your grass, trees, and shrubs stay vibrant and green rather than yellowing or browning.

By using a high-quality fertilizer like Carl Pool 13-13-13 or a 16-8-8 with added sulfur and iron, and adjusting your watering schedule, you’ll set your entire landscape up for success. Come October and November, you’ll enjoy a vibrant, healthy yard—perfect for fall gatherings or simply admiring your hard work!

Take Action Now

It’s not too late to fertilize! Fall is one of the best times to nourish your lawn, trees, and shrubs. Follow the application guidelines for your chosen fertilizer, reduce watering as temperatures cool, and watch your landscape transform into a fall showstopper.