Choosing the Right Fertilizer Blend for Warm-Season Grasses

If you’re taking care of a lawn in Fort Worth, TX, there’s a good chance you’re working with warm-season grasses like Bermuda, St. Augustine, or Zoysia. These grasses thrive in Texas heat, but they still need the right nutrition to stay healthy, green, and thick. The secret? Choosing the right fertilizer blend.

Choosing the Right Fertilizer Blend for Warm-Season Grasses

With the wrong mix of nutrients or poor timing, you could end up with patchy growth, brown spots, or even burnt grass. On the flip side, the right fertilizer blend can keep your lawn lush and thriving all season. Let’s break down what you need to know about choosing the right fertilizer for your warm-season lawn.

Know Your Grass Type

Before you do anything else, make sure you know what kind of grass you have. In Fort Worth, the most common warm-season grasses are:

  • Bermuda Grass: Fast-growing, drought-tolerant, and popular in sunny areas.
  • St. Augustine Grass: Grows well in shade and is great for thicker lawns.
  • Zoysia Grass: Tolerant of heat, drought, and foot traffic with a dense texture.

Each of these grasses has slightly different nutritional needs. For example, Bermuda tends to need more nitrogen than St. Augustine, especially during the growing season.

Understanding the N-P-K Ratio

Every fertilizer label shows three numbers — this is called the N-P-K ratio. It tells you the percentage of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in the product.

  • Nitrogen (N) helps promote leafy, green growth.
  • Phosphorus (P) supports root development.
  • Potassium (K) boosts disease resistance and drought tolerance.

For warm-season grasses, you usually want a higher amount of nitrogen compared to phosphorus and potassium. Something like a 16-4-8 or 21-0-0 blend is commonly used in Fort Worth lawns.

According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, nitrogen is the most important nutrient for lawns in Texas, and applying it at the right time makes a noticeable difference in how your lawn looks.

When to Fertilize in Fort Worth

Timing matters. Warm-season grasses wake up in spring and grow actively through summer, then slow down in fall. Here’s a general timeline to follow:

  • Early Spring (after last frost): Light nitrogen to wake up the grass.
  • Late Spring to Early Summer: Main fertilizer application with a balanced blend like 16-4-8.
  • Mid to Late Summer: Another dose of nitrogen to keep growth strong.
  • Early Fall: A fertilizer higher in potassium to prep the grass for cooler temps.

Avoid fertilizing in the winter. The grass isn’t growing, and extra nutrients won’t be absorbed properly.

Choosing Between Quick-Release and Slow-Release Fertilizer

There are two main types of nitrogen in fertilizers: quick-release and slow-release.

  • Quick-Release gives a fast green-up, but it can also cause the grass to grow too quickly and may burn your lawn if overused.
  • Slow-Release feeds your lawn gradually and lasts longer, which is great during hot Fort Worth summers when the grass is under stress.

Many quality fertilizers include a mix of both, which gives the lawn a quick boost and keeps feeding it over time.

Soil Testing: The Step Most Homeowners Skip

A soil test is the only way to really know what your lawn needs. It can tell you the exact pH and nutrient levels, so you don’t waste money applying something that isn’t necessary.

In Fort Worth, soils are often alkaline and may already have enough phosphorus. Too much phosphorus can harm your lawn and local water sources. So, unless a soil test shows you need it, a low- or no-phosphorus fertilizer (like 21-0-0) might be better.

You can get a soil test through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Watch Out for Over-Fertilizing

More fertilizer doesn’t always mean better grass. Too much nitrogen can cause rapid growth that weakens the grass, makes it more prone to disease, and creates a need for more mowing.

Signs of over-fertilization include:

  • Burnt or yellowing grass tips
  • Rapid but weak growth
  • Thatch buildup

Stick to the label recommendations and water your lawn after fertilizing to help nutrients absorb properly.

Look for These Ingredients in a Quality Fertilizer

A good fertilizer for warm-season lawns in Fort Worth should contain:

  • Nitrogen: For green, lush growth
  • Iron: Helps green up the lawn without causing too much growth
  • Potassium: Strengthens against drought and disease
  • Sulfur: Helps lower soil pH if it’s too alkaline (common in Fort Worth)

Some fertilizers also include micronutrients like magnesium, manganese, or zinc, which help with chlorophyll production and overall lawn health.

Tips for Applying Fertilizer Correctly

  • Use a spreader for even coverage.
  • Don’t apply fertilizer right before a heavy rain.
  • Water after applying, unless the product says not to.
  • Don’t fertilize dry, brown grass — it needs water first.

If you’re not sure when or how to apply, hiring a local professional can save you time and frustration.

Let Mow & Grow Handle the Fertilizer for You

At Mow & Grow, we’ve been helping Fort Worth homeowners grow beautiful lawns for 25 years. We know the local grasses, soils, and weather — and we know how to feed your lawn the right way. Our fertilization services are customized to your yard’s needs, and we use quality blends that deliver healthy, lasting results.

Call Mow & Grow at (817) 717-2686 to schedule your lawn fertilization or maintenance service today. Let’s get your grass growing strong.