How to Fertilize Your Lawn Properly Throughout the Summer
Swingset in backyard over dead spots on grass
Maintaining a lush, green lawn in South Denver’s hot, dry summers is both an art and a science. We have to deal with high elevation, intense sun, and unpredictable weather so lawn maintenance throughout the summer requires a more strategic approach than most of us, admittedly, are wanting to think about. That’s why you have lawn maintenance professionals here in Parker, Colorado to help do the thinking for you! Do you need to revive a patchy area under an old swing set or just want to keep your lawn healthy through August? Your Parker lawn maintenance contractor has got you covered with expert advice and local product recommendations—especially from our trusted friends at Pine Lane Nursery in Parker.
Whether you're just getting started with landscape design in Parker, Colorado, or you're looking to improve an established yard, a key piece of maintenance involves fertilizing properly through summer plays a crucial role in creating and maintaining a landscape that’s both beautiful and sustainable.
Why Fertilizing in Summer Matters
Your lawn isn’t dormant during summer—it’s working hard to survive. While spring fertilization helps grass green up, summer feeding is about supporting stress tolerance. Proper fertilization helps:
Increase drought resistance
Promote root strength
Encourage recovery from foot traffic or play
Improve color and density
But timing, product selection, and technique matter. Over-fertilizing or fertilizing at the wrong time can stress your lawn, burn it, or even invite disease.
Let’s walk through how to fertilize wisely throughout the summer season, how often to do it, what to use, and how to repair those dead patches from kid activity or high-traffic areas.
Fertilizer Basics: What to Look For
Before you head to the store, understand what your lawn needs. Most fertilizers are labeled with three numbers: N-P-K (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium).
For Summer, Focus on:
Nitrogen (N): Promotes lush, green top growth.
Phosphorus (P): Supports root development (often less needed in mature lawns).
Potassium (K): Helps your lawn handle drought and heat stress.
Look for a fertilizer with moderate nitrogen, low phosphorus, and moderate potassium—such as a 20-0-10 or 15-0-15 ratio.
Slow-release fertilizers are ideal during the heat of summer. They deliver nutrients gradually, reducing the risk of burning your grass and promoting even growth over time.
If you're also investing in landscape maintenance services in Parker, CO, proper fertilization complements efforts like mowing, irrigation, and aeration—ensuring your yard thrives even in the toughest months.
Top Recommended Fertilizer Products
We always recommend high-quality, locally appropriate products that work well in South Denver’s unique climate. Here are two of or top picks for summer fertilization:
1. Richlawn Pro-Rich Turf Food (14-2-5)
Why we like it: Made in Colorado, this slow-release fertilizer is great for high-heat conditions. It includes organic components for a balanced, long-lasting feed.
When to use: Mid-June and again in mid-August.
2. Richlawn Iron Rich
Why we like it: This is a great supplement to any lawn fertilizing program or schedule that stimulates growth, improves soil structure, and can increase the general health of turf. This product can also be used to supplement plants, trees and shrubs.
When to use: Anytime April-October with mid-July being a great halfway point.
Fertilizing Schedule: Timing and Frequency
Fertilizing your lawn in South Denver throughout the summer doesn’t mean constant feeding. Overdoing it can and will stress your grass. Here’s a simple breakdown of when and how often to fertilize:
Early Summer (Late May to Mid-June)
Purpose: Feed your lawn as temperatures rise.
Recommended product and where to buy: Richlawn Pro-Rich
Application tips: Water deeply the day before application, then apply fertilizer and water lightly again to activate the nutrients.
Mid-Summer (Late July)
Purpose: Help grass recover from heat and drought stress.
Recommended product and where to buy: Richlawn Iron Rich
Application tips: Avoid fertilizing during peak heat hours. Fertilize early morning or evening when temps are below 85°F.
Optional: Late Summer (Mid to Late August)
Purpose: Prepare your lawn for fall growth.
Recommended product: Apply a light dose of slow-release fertilizer—don’t push heavy growth.
Note: Always water your lawn immediately after applying granular fertilizers unless the product specifies otherwise.
Lawn Care Tips to Boost Fertilization Results
Fertilizer works best when paired with proper mowing, watering, and soil care. These tips also help support wholistic thinking for landscaping projects in Colorado, including full-scale landscaping designs or seasonal upgrades.
1. Mow High
Keep grass at 3 to 3.5 inches. Taller grass shades roots, retains moisture, and reduces weed competition. Never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time.
2. Water Smart
Water deeply and infrequently. Aim for:
1 to 1.5 inches per week, including rainfall.
Early morning watering to reduce evaporation.
If you’re dealing with water restrictions (common in summer), consider spot-watering stressed zones or using moisture-retaining soil amendments. Be sure to check out our water conservation and general lawn maintenance tips!
3. Aerate if Needed
If your lawn feels compacted (often due to heavy play or pets), consider core aeration in late summer or early fall. It helps fertilizer and water penetrate deeper.
How to Grow Back Grass Under a Swing Set or Dead Spot
We all love a good backyard swing set or trampoline—but the lawn underneath often doesn’t. If you’ve removed a kids’ play structure and are now stuck with a dead patch of dirt, don’t worry—it can be restored with some TLC.
Step-by-Step Process to Repair Dead Lawn Patches:
1. Remove Debris
Clear away any mulch, compacted soil, or leftover play surface. Rake the area to loosen up the topsoil. Chances are you may just have dirt at this point so you get to skip this step, if you are lucky.
2. Test the Soil
If the area looks heavily compacted or dusty, mix in some compost or lawn soil to improve structure. Pine Lane Nursery offers high-quality soil blends ideal for lawn maintenance in Parker.
3. Overseed or Sod
Depending on your lawn type (Kentucky bluegrass is common in South Denver), match the seed as closely as possible.
For Overseeding:
Use a rake to scratch the surface and create good seed-to-soil contact.
Spread seed evenly and cover lightly with topsoil or peat moss.
Water lightly 2-3 times per day until germination (about 10–14 days).
IMPORTANT: Keep the kids or pets off of it! Easier said than done, we know.
For Sod:
Cut the sod to size and press it firmly into place.
Water generously for the first week to help it root.
4. Fertilize Gently
Apply a starter fertilizer—something with a higher phosphorus content (like a 10-20-10) to encourage root growth. Use sparingly and avoid nitrogen-heavy blends until the grass is more mature.
5. Water Consistently
New grass needs regular, shallow watering. Keep the soil consistently moist—but not soggy—until roots are established.
If you’re planning a broader renovation after play equipment removal, you might consider working with a team experienced in landscape design in Parker, Colorado (That would be us!) to reimagine the area with sod, shade plants, or even a low-water alternative like xeriscaping.
Common Summer Lawn Fertilizing Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Fertilizing During Extreme Heat
Avoid fertilizing when temps are over 90°F. It can burn your lawn or create unnecessary stress.
Using High-Nitrogen Fertilizer in Mid-Summer
This encourages fast top growth that your lawn can’t sustain. Choose balanced or slow-release fertilizers instead.
Skipping Watering After Application
Granular fertilizers must be watered in. Failing to do so leaves chemicals sitting on the blades and soil—wasting your time and money.
Ignoring Dead Spots
Don’t just hope they’ll come back on their own. Actively reseed or re-sod with a soil test if necessary.
When to Call in the Pros
If your lawn has multiple issues—bare spots, poor drainage, compacted soil, or major discoloration—it might be time to consult one of us at Aspenwood, you local Parker landscaping company that offer full lawn assessments and seasonal treatment plans.
You can also hire us for landscape maintenance services in Parker, CO to handle fertilization and irrigation adjustments on your behalf. This is especially helpful during the summer when consistency matters most.
A Thriving Summer Lawn is Within Reach
With the right fertilization schedule, smart product choices, and a little effort, you can enjoy a thick, healthy lawn all summer long—even in the tough climate of South Denver. Don’t let heat, kids’ play areas, or compacted soil get in the way of a beautiful yard.
Stop by our partners at Pine Lane Nursery in Parker to get personalized advice and pick up the fertilizers, soil, seed, and tools you need to get started. Their team knows our Colorado conditions inside and out—and they work hand-in-hand with some of the best Colorado landscaping professionals to support your success.