Fertilizing very early in spring encourages excessive top growth and nearly constant mowing. Make the second application around Labor Day after the summer heat has passed, and the third application around Columbus Day, or about a month before the ground freezes. The timing varies with location. Grass roots store those nutrients for use early next spring. Turf researchers suggest increasing the level of potassium in the fertilizer for the October application.
Higher potassium helps the grass plants get through the winter in better shape.
It decreases winter damage and makes the grass less subject to pest damage next year. But all the fertilizer in the world does no good unless it dissolves in water. If you have questions about fertilizing your lawn, contact you county extension office. There are more than twenty thousand kinds of moss in the world. Most of these small, green, velvety-feeling plants have no horticultural value and some can be downright menacing and unappealing when they show up in your lawn Moss thrives under damp conditions in unfertile, acid soils.