How Much Does it Cost to Fertilize a Lawn?

Lawn Treatment Costs

Lawn treatment costs range from $0.05 to $0.25 per square foot. You’ll spend anywhere from $50 to $100 or more per treatment or $250 to $1,000 per year.

You can save 10% to 25% with a yearly plan. It also helps to look for deals in the fall for the following spring, which can net you even more savings.

The actual prices are going to vary depending on the services you choose. You’ll save money combining services. We’ll discuss this in more depth below.

Average Cost to Fertilize Lawns Per Acre

Fertilizing an acre starts at $2,000. Professionals determine the price based on size. Most lawns are 5,000 to 11,000 square feet, or under 1/8 to 1/4 of an acre.

• Know the size of the treatable area before negotiating with lawn care professionals.

• Google Earth has a program that homeowners can use to measure their yard.

*Most common lot & yard sizes.

New, mature or well-kept grass: minimal investment.

• Expect to pay on the lower end of the cost ranges.

• Require little revitalization.

• Focus on maintenance.

Old, untended or dying grass: maximum investment.

• You’ll pay on the higher end of the ranges above.

• Require moderate to extreme rehabilitation.

• Expect more treatments, more fertilizer and more time to get the grass healthy.

Cost of Lawn Fertilization Service: Additional Treatments

Additions to the fertilizer such as grub (beetle larvae that feed on grass roots,) aerations and lime (ground up limestone used to increase a soil's pH) increase the expense. Many of these applications are essential for maintaining grass health.

Lawn Fertilizer Prices

Lawn fertilizer prices tend to remain constant across brands and types, with an average range of $0.03 to $0.06 per square foot of coverage for liquid or crystalline types. You can purchase organic or synthetic in liquid or crystalline form with any of the following:

* Except for organic and synthetic, these options do not affect material prices. However, different professionals may charge added fees or give discounts based on the options you choose.

Organic vs. Synthetic Fertilizer Costs.

For either organic or synthetic fertilizers, you’ll pay $25 to $100 per treatment. They supply plants with the 13 nutrients they need to flourish. These nutrients are potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, copper, boron, zinc, chloride, iron, manganese and molybdenum. Plants cannot distinguish between organic and synthetic fertilizers.

• Organic: $50-$100 per treatment. Made from plants, manure, seaweed, worm castings, blood meal and other organic compounds.

  • More expensive.

  • Better for the environment but can still create environmental harm.

• Synthetic: $25-$80 per treatment. Human-made compounds based on by-products from the petroleum industry.

  • Only provide specific nutrients for specific plant types.

  • Can harm microorganism and degrade the soil.

  • Can harm local ecologies.

They come in either liquid or crystalline forms and have coatings for slow and fast release. Some varieties also mix in herbicides and fungus control chemicals.

Liquid vs. Crystalline Fertilizer Cost

Whether you choose liquid or crystalline, you’ll pay $1 to $2 per pound of granulate fertilize. Each pound covers 300 to 400 square feet but varies slightly between types and brands.

• Liquid: $0.03-$0.06 per square foot of coverage. $10-$30 per bottle.

• Granulate: $0.03-$0.06 per square foot of coverage. $1-$2 per pound or $10-$60 per bag.

Lawn Fertilization Pricing Factors

Besides just materials, you’ll need to consider these factors that influence prices, including:

• Climate & number of treatments.

• Services you choose. Combining fertilizer with other lawn care projects versus just doing the fertilization.

• Whether you do it yourself or hire a licensed and insured professional.

• Regional pricing differences.

• Quality of fertilizer.

Location

Regional pricing differences can vary by up to 50% or more. What might cost you $30 in rural America might run $50 in higher cost of living areas like New York or San Francisco.

Number of Applications

Expect to pay two to three times as much in southern states compared to northern. In cold, northern climates, you might only need three applications while southern areas may need 6 to 10 applications with longer growing seasons and mild, short winters.

Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping your yard costs $2,000 to $14,000 but saves time and money in the long term. Xeriscaping, a type of yard designed to use little to no irrigation in arid climates, can both save you money and time. With less water usage and no lawn services, you can save $600 to $1,500 per year or more.

A few facts on xeriscaping:

• Americans use 45 to 70 gallons of water per square foot per year on their lawns. At an average of $1.50 per 1,000 gallons, you save $350 to $525 on water and $250 to $1,000 on fertilizing for an annual savings of $600 to $1,525.

• It'll both benefit the environment and reduce your water bill. With hardscapes and plants designed to thrive in dry conditions, you'll use less water.

• It reduces or eliminates the cost of fertilizing. Without fertilizer, there’s no runoff or freshwater pollution.

• It’s expensive to install, but inexpensive to maintain. Likely, you’ll make back your investment in a few years.

DIY vs. Hiring a Lawn Treatment Service

It’ll cost you half as much to do it yourself, or about $40 per 1,000 square feet if you do all the same treatments like a pro. However, a professional service usually gets better results, saves you time and makes sure all the applications happen on schedule.

For the best looking yard, hire a lawn care professional near you today.

Pros:

• The upfront price tag usually looks like twice as much, but once you factor in tools, chemicals and time, you hardly save any doing it yourself.

• Professional Results. Pros almost always get lusher, greener lawns than DIYers.

• Safe: If not handled properly, serious illness and property damage can occur. Professionals have been trained on how to apply fertilizer in a safe way and according to local and federal guidelines.

Cons:

• Upfront cost: Overall, you’ll pay slightly more than you would to do it yourself, usually about $100-$200 per year plus equipment.

Find the best service. Browse reviews and research licensed and insured pros in our lawn care service directory.

FAQs

How much does fertilizer cost?

Fertilizer costs $1 to $1.50 per pound. You’ll need 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet.

How much does Scott's Lawn Service cost?

“Scott’s Lawn Service” (not to be confused with “Scotts,” the lawn care company) is part of TruGreen. Scott's lawn care products, available at all major home improvement stores, have a wide range of products with varying costs.

How much do TruGreen services cost?

Trugreen costs $75 to $125 per 1,000 square feet per year. However, pricing varies depending on your climate and what services you need. They offer complete yard care including fertilizing, aeration, weed control, and tree and bush management.

What is the best time of year to fertilize your lawn?

Fertilize your lawn in the spring (March, April, May or June) with weed and feed. In summer (June, July, August, September), use turf builder. And, in the fall (September, October, November), use a winterizer.

• In the southern U.S., you might skip the winterizer and use turf builder or weed and feed year-round.

• Always follow the directions on the fertilizer bag or bottle. Remember to use the right seasonal fertilizer for your climate. Contact a local lawn care specialist if you’re unsure.

How often should you fertilize your lawn?

Fertilize your lawn 3 to 5 times per year. Follow the directions on the bag of fertilizer or have your professional advise you on the correct number of applications.

Can I fertilize right after mowing?

You should fertilize your lawn right after mowing it. This allows the fertilizer a few days to absorb before you mow or water it again.

Should I fertilize my lawn before or after rain?

Fertilize your lawn after it rains, not before. If it rains, or you water immediately, it’ll create runoff where the chemicals go deeper into the soil and end up in streams or drains and not feeding your grass.