For Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fescues, fall is the most important feeding window of the year. The right fall lawn fertilizer rebuilds roots after summer stress, thickens turf before winter, and sets up fast green-up next spring. Below are our curated picks for fall fertilizer for grass—with notes on what each product does best and when to use it for cool-season lawns in Connecticut and across the Northeast.

How to Choose a Fall Fertilizer for Cool-Season Lawns

  • N for recovery and density: Nitrogen (first number) drives top growth and recovery—vital in early to mid-fall.
  • K for hardiness: Potassium (third number) supports stress tolerance heading into winter—look for higher K in late-fall “winterizer” formulas.
  • Phosphorus: Most established lawns don’t need P unless a soil test says so. Many fall blends are zero-phosphorus.
  • Timing: Use a higher-N fall grass fertilizer in early fall; shift to higher-K fall lawn food in late fall.

Our Top Picks (With When & Why)

Yard Mastery Flagship 24-0-6 Fall Lawn Fertilizer

A versatile early-to-mid fall feed with iron for cosmetic greening. Great choice when you want strong recovery after summer plus visible color without heavy growth surge. Ideal for the first fall application on cool-season turf.

The Andersons Fall Lawn Food 24-0-14

Balances robust nitrogen with elevated potassium (14) for late-season stress tolerance. Use in mid-to-late fall when nights cool down—excellent bridge into winter with a healthy root system.

LESCO 24-0-11 No Phos Dry Fall Lawn Fertilizer

Zero-phosphorus formula with a solid N and K profile. Reliable option for established lawns needing a clean, efficient feed in fall without phosphorus—pair it with proper mowing and watering for thickening and color.

Jonathan Green Winter Survival 10-0-20

A classic “winterizer” with high potassium (20) to fortify cool-season grasses before dormancy. Use as your final late-fall application to boost cold tolerance and promote strong spring green-up.

Lawn Synergy Almighty 20-0-10

Well-rounded N and K for flexible use from early to late fall. A smart pick if you want one product to carry your cool-season lawn through the entire fall window while supporting both recovery and hardiness.

Milorganite

Gentle, slow-release feeding with iron for steady color and minimal surge growth. Ideal for homeowners who prefer a slow-and-steady approach or want to supplement a higher-K late-fall application.

Sample Fall Schedule for Cool-Season Grass

  • Early Fall (1st app): Choose a higher-N blend such as Yard Mastery Flagship 24-0-6 or LESCO 24-0-11 to jumpstart recovery and density.
  • Mid Fall (optional 2nd app): Re-feed with The Andersons 24-0-14 or Lawn Synergy 20-0-10 to sustain growth and begin building hardiness.
  • Late Fall (final “winterizer”): Apply a higher-K formula like Jonathan Green Winter Survival 10-0-20 before the first hard freeze for stronger overwintering and spring green-up.
  • Slow-release boost (anytime in fall): Layer in Milorganite for steady feeding and color without surge growth.

Tip: Follow label directions for spreader settings and coverage; most homeowners target roughly 0.5–1.0 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft per application in fall, adjusted to product analysis and lawn needs.

Application Best Practices

  • Mow and clean up: Mow to recommended height (usually 3–4″ for cool-season turf) and blow off leaves before spreading.
  • Even coverage: Use a calibrated spreader, overlapping wheel tracks slightly to prevent stripes.
  • Water-in: Lightly water after applying granular cool season grass fall fertilizer unless the label says otherwise.
  • Soil test: Every 1–2 years to dial in N-P-K and pH. Only add phosphorus if a test indicates deficiency.
  • Watch the weather: Avoid heavy rain forecasts to reduce runoff and waste.

Which Product Is “Best” for Your Lawn?

The best fall fertilizer for cool season grass depends on your timing and goals. If you need fast recovery and color early, go with Flagship 24-0-6 or LESCO 24-0-11. If winter toughness is the priority, The Andersons 24-0-14 or Jonathan Green Winter Survival 10-0-20 shine in late fall. Want one product to simplify the season? Lawn Synergy 20-0-10 covers a broad range. Prefer a gentler, slow-release approach? Milorganite is a dependable companion to any fall fertilizer for cool season grass plan.

Get Fall-Ready Gear at River East Power Equipment

River East Power Equipment offers a wide selection of mowers and power tools—think zero-turns, walk-behinds, leaf blowers, string trimmers, chainsaws, and more—to get your lawn looking right this fall. Stop in or contact our team to compare models, get expert setup, and leave with the gear that makes fall lawn care faster, cleaner, and better looking.