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Can I put down fall fertilizer now? #921162

Asked October 31, 2025, 11:56 AM EDT

I had back surgery in July and have been unable to maintain my lawn. A weekly lawn service kept it mowed and trimmed, and I was able to water with my in-ground irrigation system. BUT, I was unable to fertilize while I was under medical restrictions. Those restrictions have now been lifted. Is it too late to apply Fall fertilizer now?

Wright County Minnesota

Expert Response

Technically we passed the University of Minnesota's fall lawn fertilizer deadline in mid-October.  However, soil temperature accounts in large measure for turf's ability to benefit from fertilizer, so the window of opportunity varies somewhat.

The following publication discusses this subject from the perspective of Indiana residents, but with adjustment for Minnesota's latitude, the information is applicable here. 

https://ag.purdue.edu/department/btny/ppdl/potw-dept-folder/2022/fall-fertilization-home-lawns.html
An Ask Extension Expert Replied October 31, 2025, 9:38 PM EDT

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