How Much Does It Cost to Fertilize a Lawn in 2025?
Fertilizing a lawn costs an average of $225
The average cost to fertilize a lawn ranges between $77 and $394, with most homeowners spending an average of $225.
Location, lawn size, and product type drive the final price.
Regular feedings keep grass thick, green, and resilient.
Hiring a local pro frees up your weekend and often delivers lusher results.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Keeping your grass thick and green takes regular feeding. Most homeowners spend between $77 and $394 on the cost to fertilize a lawn, with an average cost of $225.
What you’ll pay depends on where you live, the size of your yard, and the quality of the product you choose. Because lawns need several applications each season, plan for these costs up front. Bringing in a pro can save time and deliver healthier, more consistent results.
Lawn Fertilization Cost Factors
A handful of variables shape your fertilization bill—where you live, how many treatments the lawn needs, its current condition, and any extras you bundle in.
Location
Where you live matters. Prices can swing 50% or more from one region to the next. Homeowners in rural areas often pay less than those in dense, high-cost cities like New York or San Francisco. Check with a local lawn-care pro to see what labor rates look like in your neighborhood.
Number of Applications
Expect to budget more if you live in the South. Warmer climates often need six to 10 feedings a year, while cooler northern yards may thrive on just three. More visits simply mean higher overall costs.
Additional Services
Pairing fertilization with tasks like lawn aeration, grub control, or dethatching often makes sense. Pros frequently discount services when you bundle them together. Check the table below for related landscaping services and their average costs.
| Service | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass treatment | $30–$80 |
| Aerating | $75–$200 |
| Grub treatment | $30–$80 |
| Dethatching | $265–$295 |
| Adding lime | $100–$150 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
| Soil test | $10–$30 |
| Mulching | $150–$400 |
| Mowing | $50–$300 |
| Raking | $100–$600 |
Cost by Lawn Size
Lawn size is one of the biggest price drivers. Larger yards need more product and more time, so costs rise accordingly. Most homeowners pay between $0.02 and $0.08 per square foot for fertilization alone, or up to $0.40 when they add other treatments. The table shows what that looks like for several common yard sizes.
| Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost (All-In) |
|---|---|
| 500 | $10–$40 |
| 1,000 | $20–$80 |
| 2,500 | $50–$200 |
| 5,000 | $100–$400 |
| 7,260 (1/6 acre) | $250–$350 |
| 8,700 (1/5 acre) | $275–$375 |
| 10,900 (1/4 acre) | $300–$400 |
| 14,500 (1/3 acre) | $350–$450 |
| 21,800 (1/2 acre) | $400–$500 |
| 32,700 (3/4 acre) | $450–$550 |
| 43,500 (1 acre) | $500–$600 |
Lawn Fertilization Cost by Type
The type of fertilizer you choose affects your lawn’s health and budget. Depending on your lawn’s needs—like nutrient requirements and desired release time—you’ll opt for different fertilizers.
Organic fertilizers, made from natural materials like plants and manure, cost more than synthetic ones but are better for long-term soil health. The table below outlines costs for fertilizing between 5,000 and 10,000 square feet based on fertilizer type.
| Fertilizer Type | Cost Range for 50-Lb. Bag (All-In) |
|---|---|
| Fast-release | $110–$310 |
| Moss and fungus control | $110–$325 |
| Weed and feed | $110–$325 |
| Granular | $140–$350 |
| Water-soluble | $190–$360 |
| Gradual-release | $240–$410 |
| Crystalline | $240–$410 |
| Liquid | $150–$475 |
Fast-Release
Applying fast-release fertilizer over 5,000 to 10,000 feet costs an average of $110 to $310. Fast-release fertilizers start releasing nutrients as soon as they hit the soil, which is ideal for a quick nutrient boost to help with immediate plant health.
However, fast-release products don’t build good, long-term soil health. You may end up having to fertilize more frequently than if you’d used other types. That’s because soil health never truly improves, and the grass starts to rely on the rapid-release fertilizer products you apply rather than building strong, deep root systems to find nutrients for themselves.
Moss and Fungus Control
Moss and fungus control fertilizers range from $110 to $325. This combination fertilizer contains a moss and fungus killer to help keep your lawn nourished and free of moss and fungus.
Weed and Feed
Like pre-emergent, weed and feed costs between $110 and $325 for up to 10,000 square feet. Just like pre-emergent fertilizer, weed and feed has a pesticide and fertilizer combo. The difference is that weed and feed kill off already-growing weeds rather than inhibiting new growth.
Granular
Granular fertilizer can cost as little as $140 for 5,000 square feet or as much as $350 for 10,000 square feet. Granular fertilizer is slow-release, whether you choose synthetic or organic. These products are water-soluble, so application is more straightforward.
Water-Soluble
Water-soluble fertilizer costs between $190 and $360. As with liquid fertilizer, water-soluble products are easy to apply but easy to overdose. Pay close attention to the manufacturer’s directions when mixing to ensure you don’t over-fertilize your lawn.
Gradual Release
Gradual release fertilizer ranges from $240 to $410. You’ll pay toward the higher end of the range for organic products. Gradual release is more expensive than fast-release because you need to use it less frequently, and it helps to build longer-term plant and soil health.
Crystalline
Crystalline fertilizer costs between $240 and $410 to cover up to 10,000 square feet. Crystalline fertilizers, particularly organic ones, cost more because they target a specific lawn problem or deficiency.
For example, a soil test costs $10 to $30 for a regular lawn testing kit. If your test reveals your soil lacks phosphorus and iron, you will choose a crystalline fertilizer formulated for high iron and phosphorus but low nitrogen, potassium, and magnesium.
Liquid
For liquid fertilizer, expect to pay between $150 and $475. Liquid fertilizers are easy to apply but also easy to use too much, so you’ll need to be extra careful and read the directions on the packaging.
Budgeting for Lawn Fertilization
Consider these cost-saving strategies to make fertilizing your lawn more budget-friendly:
Hire a lawn care pro at the end of their busy season. Scheduling your lawn fertilization job in the late summer or early fall can save you on labor costs.
DIY some tasks. If you have a lawn mower, consider cutting your own grass and only hiring a pro for periodic fertilizing or other lawn treatments.
Get at least three detailed quotes from local lawn fertilization services to ensure competitive pricing.
DIY vs. Hiring a Lawn Treatment Service
DIY fertilizing can trim your bill because you’re not paying for labor. Set aside 20 minutes per application, grab a handheld spreader for small lawns ($10 to $65) or a broadcast spreader for larger lots ($50 to $150), and choose a granular product—the safest bet for weekend warriors.
Still, many homeowners prefer to leave the job to a pro. An experienced technician knows exactly when and how much to apply, which often produces thicker, greener turf and frees up your weekend. Pros also follow local and federal guidelines, so you don’t have to worry about safety or compliance.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequency comes down to lawn health. A thick, well-established yard may thrive on one feeding per year, while stressed or nutrient-poor turf could need a boost every six weeks. Watch for slow growth or yellowing blades—both are signals that the grass is running low on nutrients and ready for another treatment.
Yes, you can fertilize your grass immediately after cutting it. Applying fertilizer right after mowing lets the nutrients soak in before the next cut or watering. Bag or rake up clippings first so they don’t block granules from hitting the soil. This quick post-mow step can improve absorption and help the lawn recover faster from the trim.
Too much fertilizer can scorch grass blades, create brown or yellow patches, and damage the roots—a condition called “fertilizer burn.” Stick to the product’s spread rate, and never double up hoping for faster results. If you’re unsure of the correct amount, a local lawn-care pro can measure, calibrate, and apply the right dose for your yard.
Yes, you can treat your lawn with compost instead of fertilizer. Compost delivers a slow, steady stream of organic nutrients and can replace or supplement commercial fertilizers. While bagged fertilizer gives grass an immediate boost, compost improves long-term soil structure and microbial life, setting the stage for stronger roots and greener blades season after season.
Early spring is the time for an organic, slow-release blend that feeds steadily and builds soil health. A slow-release product delivers nutrients over several weeks, setting up vigorous growth for the rest of the season. If the lawn is thin or the roots are shallow, pair that base feeding with a small dose of quick-release fertilizer for an instant green-up.
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