Summer Fertilizing Tips: What Your Grass and Plants Really Need

Summer brings sunshine, barbecues, and more time spent outdoors—but it also brings stress to your lawn and garden. Intense heat, drought conditions, and increased foot traffic can deplete your soil and weaken your plants. That’s why summer fertilizing, when done right, plays a crucial role in keeping your landscape healthy, vibrant, and thriving all season long. At Skyline Exteriors Landscaping, we encourage smart, seasonal care—and that includes feeding your landscape the nutrients it truly needs.

Why Fertilize in Summer?

Fertilizing delivers key nutrients like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), all of which help plants grow, resist disease, and recover from stress. In summer, these nutrients are quickly used up due to mowing, watering, and heat. While spring and fall are typically peak seasons for fertilizing, a well-timed summer application can maintain health and color—especially in lawns and garden beds that are showing signs of fatigue.

Fertilizing Your Lawn

Most lawns in Western Chicago are made up of cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, and ryegrass. These types grow best in cooler months, but they can still benefit from a light feeding in summer—especially if they’re staying green through consistent watering. However, avoid fertilizing during extreme heatwaves or if your lawn is dormant (brown and not growing); doing so can stress or even burn your turf. We recommend using a slow-release fertilizer, which provides nutrients gradually and reduces the risk of burn. Apply early in the morning or late in the afternoon when temperatures are cooler, and always water thoroughly after applying to help the nutrients absorb properly into the soil.

Feeding Flower Beds, Shrubs, and Veggies

Your summer flower beds and edible gardens also need regular feeding to stay productive. Annual flowers, which bloom nonstop during the season, benefit from a balanced fertilizer or one designed for blooming (look for formulas like 10-10-10 or 15-30-15). Vegetables—especially fruiting crops like tomatoes, peppers, and squash—need higher phosphorus content to encourage strong flowering and fruit development. Liquid fertilizers are great for fast results and are ideal for container gardens, while granular fertilizers provide a slower release and are better for larger beds and shrubs. Apply every few weeks according to the product label, and be careful not to overdo it—too much fertilizer can lead to weak, leggy growth or root damage in hot conditions.

Tips for Clean, Safe Application

Regardless of what you’re feeding, it's important to fertilize responsibly. Avoid applying product before a heavy rain, and never fertilize on dry, stressed plants. Clean up any stray granules on hard surfaces like driveways or sidewalks, as they can easily wash into storm drains. And always store your fertilizers in a cool, dry location out of reach of children or pets.

Final Takeaway

Fertilizing in summer doesn’t have to be complicated—it just needs to be done with care. Focus on gentle, consistent feeding with the right product for your grass or plants, and you’ll see stronger growth, richer color, and better overall health in your landscape. At Skyline Exteriors Landscaping, we offer professional fertilizing services as part of our seasonal maintenance programs. Whether you want a mid-summer boost or a custom plan for your yard, we’re here to help.

Ready to give your lawn and garden what they really need this summer? Contact Skyline Exteriors Landscaping today to schedule a visit and keep your landscape looking its best all season long.