Lawn Fertilizing in Regina: The 10 Most Common Questions We Get Asked

Fertilizing your lawn sounds easy, right? All you gotta do is sprinkle some nutrients and watch the magic happen...

Well, not quite.

You’d think fertilizing is just a “set it and forget it” kinda task. But then come the questions. When? How often? Before or after mowing?

We get tons of questions like these from Regina homeowners, so we’ve put together some of the most common ones and asked our GreenKeepers to shed some insight. Here’s what they had to say:

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawn Fertilization in Regina

1. What is the best month to fertilize your lawn?

Timing is everything when it comes to fertilizing your lawn. In Regina, the best times to fertilize are early spring and early fall.

Spring fertilization (late April to May) gives your grass a jumpstart after winter, helping it green up and grow strong. But if the ground is still frozen or the lawn hasn’t started actively growing, wait a little longer.

Fall fertilization (September to early October) is just as important, if not more so. It helps strengthen roots and store nutrients for winter, ensuring a healthier lawn next spring.

Fertilizing too early in spring or too late in fall won’t be as effective. If in doubt, let the lawn tell you—once it starts growing in the spring, it’s time to fertilize!

2. Should you fertilize before or after rain?

Rain can be a friend or a foe when it comes to fertilizing. Light rain after fertilizing is great and can do the work of watering since it helps the nutrients soak into the soil. Heavy rain, like a storm? Not so much.

We avoid fertilizing right before a heavy downpour or storm. If rain is in the forecast, we fertilize at least 24 hours before to give the nutrients time to settle.

3. Is it better to fertilize before or after mowing?

Fertilizing before or after mowing depends on what you’re trying to achieve, but in most cases, mow first and then fertilize.

Mowing before fertilizing allows nutrients to reach the soil more easily instead of sitting on long grass blades. The grass should be at least 2.5 to 3 inches tall so it can absorb nutrients effectively, so don’t mow it too short.

We wait 24–48 hours after fertilizing before mowing again, allowing time for nutrients to settle into the soil.

4. How long after fertilizing can I water?

Our specifically formulated fertilizer is packed with nutrients and quick-dry, which means you don’t have to wait 24 hours to water your yard after fertilizing. Your yard can be watered about 2–4 hours after the application. After that, you're free to move about your lawn without restriction.

If you’re using a granular fertilizer, on the other hand, a light watering (about ¼ inch) 24 hours later helps activate the nutrients and move them into the root zone.

Either way, avoid overwatering, as excess moisture can cause runoff and nutrient loss.

5. Should you mulch or bag after fertilizing?

Mulching or bagging depends on your lawn’s condition, but in most cases, mulching is best. Mulching grass clippings returns natural nutrients to the soil, enhancing fertilizer effectiveness. Make sure your mower chops clippings fine so they break down quickly.

Bagging clippings is recommended if your lawn has weeds, excess thatch, or disease, as mulching could spread problems.

6. Is it better to over-fertilize or under-fertilize?

When it comes to fertilizer, more is not better. Over-fertilizing will do no good and may damage your grass, leading to increased disease risk. Under-fertilizing, on the other hand—as you may have guessed—leads to slow, uneven growth. A properly balanced fertilizer schedule ensures healthy, steady growth without the risks of overdoing it.

We do not overfertilize. That means your lawn uses 90-95% of the added nutrients, and none are lost to the environment. The application system we use is designed to lower the potential for runoff and volatility.

7. Do you fertilize before or after seeding?

When establishing a new lawn or overseeding an existing one, we always fertilize before seeding.

Fertilizing before seeding gives new grass the nutrients it needs to establish strong roots. However, using the right type of fertilizer is key here. After seeding, we recommend waiting 4–6 weeks before applying regular fertilizer to avoid overwhelming young seedlings.

8. Can you apply fertilizer to wet grass?

It isn’t ideal because too much moisture can cause uneven distribution and runoff. For best results, we apply fertilizer to dry grass. We want the grass to be dry but the soil moist.

9. How often should you fertilize your lawn?

Timing depends on your lawn’s condition and the type of fertilizer used, but most lawns do best with several applications per year.

• Early spring (April–May) jumpstarts growth after winter.
• Early summer (June) boosts the lawn's abilities to fight off disease and prepare for the hot summer temps.
• Mid-late summer (July-August) helps strengthen roots, which makes the grass more resistant to drought.
• Early fall (September–October) strengthens roots before winter dormancy.

10. What’s the best type of fertilizer for Regina lawns?

The best fertilizer depends on your soil and lawn’s needs, but a balanced blend of potassium and sulphur is a good choice. Green Drop’s professional fertilizer blends are designed specifically for Regina’s climate, ensuring optimal results. Your lawn gets an advanced ability to combat the effects of weeds, fungi, and insects. This means more evenly sustained growth, so you avoid the peaks and valleys that can come with less customized applications.

Regina’s Healthiest Lawns Start with Green Drop’s Expertise!

Fertilizing your lawn shouldn’t be a guessing game – type, timing, and technique make all the difference. At Green Drop, we take the hassle out of lawn care with fertilization services designed specifically for Western Canada’s climate.

Our trained GreenKeepers provide:

• Custom-blended fertilizer applications to give your lawn exactly what it needs, when it needs it. Our optimized formulas promote steady, even growth while preventing the common pitfalls of over- or under-fertilization.
• Weed control services to keep unwanted invaders at bay, allowing your grass to grow thicker, healthier, and free from competition.
• Aeration and overseeding to improve soil health, boost root development, and enhance nutrient absorption.
• SoilBooster™ applications to strengthen your lawn’s foundation and improve soil structure and resilience against drought, disease, and temperature fluctuations. Our advanced formula contains 70+ nutrients that help your yard stand up to Regina’s unpredictable climate.
• Season-long lawn monitoring and care to ensure consistent results. Our team doesn’t just fertilize and walk away. We provide ongoing health assessments and adjust treatments as needed for optimal growth and protection.
• Eco-friendly, science-backed treatments that maximise nutrient absorption while minimizing runoff and environmental impact.

Serving Winnipeg, Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, and Saskatoon in addition to Regina, we help homeowners achieve lush, vibrant lawns without the stress.