Is your lawn looking worse for wear? If you want luscious green grass growing in your yard, regardless of the year, you need to feed it with top-quality lawn fertilizer.
When it comes to selecting the best lawn fertilizer products, one brand stands out from the rest – Scotts. There’s a Scotts fertilizer and weed and feeds to suit any grass type and any growing season. Give your lawn a boost, and feed it the nutrients it needs to thrive.
In this review, we’ll look at the top product offerings from Scotts, and how they can benefit your lawn.
Our Top Picks
Scotts makes fertilizer specific to the growing season of the year. You need different combinations of nutrients at different times of the year to keep your lawn looking lush. Here are our top picks for the best Scotts fertilizers.
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- The Best Fertilizer Pick: Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food
This turf-building formula suit use in both the winter and summertime. It’s the ideal choice for climates in the southern states where the temperature difference between the summer and winter isn’t as drastic as it is in the northern states. - The Best Wintertime Fertilizer: Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food
This formula helps the roots of your grass grow deep into the ground during wintertime conditions when the grass starts to go dormant. The WinterGuard fertilizer also assists with the repair and recovery of root systems that deal with heavy foot traffic, such as golf courses and sports fields. - The Best Summertime Fertilizer: Scotts Turf Builder SummerGuard with Insect Control
When the roots of your grass become active in the early springtime, you need to feed them with the right nutrients to inspire growth. The SummerGuard formula helps to speed growth in the first parts of the spring season while providing sufficient nutrition to the lawn throughout the summertime. This formula also contains an insecticide that prevents pests from infesting your turf.
Scott Fertilizer Reviews
Scotts is the trusted name in lawn nutrition. The range of fertilizer options available for specific growing conditions is impressive. However, we think that there are a few standouts. This review looks at the range on offer from Scotts and provides you with assistance to help you with selecting the fertilizer that’s right for your lawn.
Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food – The Best Overall Scotts Fertilizer
This formula from Scotts suits seasonal use throughout the summer and winter. It’s the ideal choice for novice gardeners that want a general-purpose fertilizer that they don’t need to overthink.
This fast-releasing formula gets to work immediately, providing your lawn with a good boost of growth. We like using this formula once in the early spring and then again in the late fall to give the roots of the grass a boost during the overwintering process.
- Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food is a fertilizer that feeds and strengthens grass to help protect against future problems
- Fertilizer builds strong, deep roots and improves the lawn's ability to absorb water and nutrients (vs. unfed lawn)
- Apply this grass fertilizer to a wet or dry lawn
- This lawn care product can be used on any grass type
- One 37.5 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food covers 15,000 sq. ft.
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
On some occasions, you might need a third or fourth light feeding between the springtime and fall feeding schedule. However, be careful with over applying this fertilizer, as it may cause your grass to burn.
Proper application of this formula produces a lush lawn, and it’s safe for use around pets and children as well.
One of the drawbacks of this fertilizer comes from the quick-releasing formula. Applying this fertilizer during the peak sun hours of the day may also result in the burning of your lawn. Therefore, we recommend you wait until the late afternoon before spreading, and water thoroughly immediately afterward.
- Coverage: 5,000 to 15,000 square feet
- Season: All seasons
- Grass: Any
- Liquid or Granular: Granular
- Child and Pet-Friendly: Yes
- For use in any season
- Suits climates in the southern states
- Suitable for all grass types
- Helps grass recover from burns
- Require evening application, or it burns the grass
- Heavy concentrations burn your lawn
Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food – The Best Wintertime Scotts Fertilizer
This fertilizing formula for your lawn is specific to winter conditions. The specialized formulation works to improve the strength of the roots, allowing them to grow deep during the wintertime.
As a result, increased root growth over the winter leads to healthier, thicker, lusher, and vibrant grass come the spring and summertime.
- Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Weed & Feed3 weed killer and lawn fertilizer controls listed weeds and feeds grass in the fall for a better lawn next spring
- Fall weed and feed kills over 50 listed lawn weeds, including clover, dandelion, plantain, morningglory, chicory, evening primrose, and purslane
- Apply weed control plus grass fertilizer to a wet lawn when weeds are actively growing and temperatures are consistently between 60°F and 90°F
- Do not apply this lawn care product to St. Augustinegrass, Floratam, Dichondra, Lippia, Carpetgrass, or Bentgrass
- One 42.87 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Weed & Feed3 covers 15,000 sq. ft.
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This fertilizer from Scotts also assists your lawn with recovering from the damage of high foot-traffic volumes on your lawn after a kid’s birthday party. It’s a good choice for pet owners that have bogs that like to leave runs on the grass.
The slow-release formula lasts throughout the wintertime, providing the roots of your grass with a steady stream of nutrition. The repair of the roots shows up in the summer, with no bare spots in your lawn.
We also like that this formula is safe for use around children and pets, and they can use the lawn after you finish spreading. When the winter ends, it’s best to discontinue the use of this product and feed your lawn with the SummerGuard formula from Scotts.
This formula works on any grass type, and it’s also a great choice for the novice gardener that has no idea what kind of grass they have on their lawn. Contractors will also find this formula suitable for commercial use at the end of the growing season.
We recommend you feed your lawn starting in the late fall.
- Coverage: 5,000 to 15,000 square feet
- Season: Winter
- Grass: Any
- Liquid or Granular: Granular
- Child and Pet-Friendly: Yes
- An excellent choice for grass repair
- Suitable for all grass types
- Safe for pets and kids
- May burn young grass
- High concentrations cause burning
Scotts Turf Builder SummerGuard with Insect Control – The Best Summertime Scotts Fertilizer
When the weather starts to warm up, and the last frost finish, it’s time to give your lawn the nutrition it needs to thrive in the spring and summertime. Your lawn needs an early start, so we recommend you give it Scotts SummerGuard formula.
The Turf Builder formula from Scotts has a special formula designed to boost growth in actively growing lawns, providing them with any nutrients they need and might lose through watering during the season.
- Scotts Turf Builder SummerGuard Lawn Food with Insect Control kills and protects against listed bugs, and feeds and strengthens your lawn against heat and drought
- Included insecticide controls listed lawn pests like ants, armyworms, chinch bugs, crickets, fleas, grasshoppers, spiders, and ticks
- Apply bug killer plus fertilizer to a dry lawn in the summertime when insect activity or damage is first observed
- This lawn care product can be used on any grass type
- One 13.35 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder SummerGuard Lawn Food with Insect Control covers 5,000 sq. ft.
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Turf Builder SummerGuard also features the infusion of a pesticide to prevent insects from coming to life as the winter conditions thaw out. Insects eat the roots and shoots of new grass, causing bare patches on your lawn during the summer.
Using this formula helps build drought resistance in your lawn, and it’s an excellent choice for southern climates in the United States. However, parents and pet owners need to be aware that this formula is not suitable for use around children due to the pesticides in the product.
After applying, water your lawn thoroughly to suppress any dust from the fertilizer before allowing children or pets to play on the grass.
- Coverage: 5,000 to 15,000 square feet
- Season: Summer
- Grass: Any
- Liquid or Granular: Granular
- Child and Pet-Friendly: No, wait until you water it in over the first month
- Good for boosting growth in the springtime
- Protects the lawn against pests
- Improves water absorption by your grass
- Using in high concentrations produces burns
- Not pet and child-friendly
Scotts Green Max Lawn Food
If you need to bring your lawn to life fast, then we suggest this formula. Scotts Green Max Lawn Food. This blend includes a large dose of iron in the ingredients, promoting the fast growth of your grass.
Most gardeners will experience results within 3-days of fertilizing, as long as they use the recommended watering protocol. Failing to water the lawn properly results in uneven distribution of the product, and bare patches or burns in your garden.
- Scotts Green Max Lawn Food is a dual-action fertilizer and iron formula that feeds your lawn and provides deep greening in just 3 days
- This lawn care product contains 5% iron, a micronutrient that enhances the greening process for fast results
- Apply this fertilizer plus iron supplement to any grass type in the spring, summer, or fall
- Guaranteed not to stain concrete, driveways, or other surfaces surrounding your lawn (when used as directed)
- One 16.67 lb. bag of Scotts Green Max Lawn Food covers 5,000 sq. ft.
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This product is the ideal fertilizer formula for lawns that are worse for wear, and have heavy burn out or foot traffic damage. You can use this formula alongside any other fertilizer you are currently using as well.
After application, water deeply, and then continue with daily watering in the late afternoon for at least three days after use. This fertilizer is also an excellent choice for soils that are low in nutrients, and you might need multiple applications throughout the growing season.
- Coverage Ability: 2,500 to 10,000 square feet
- Season: Spring through summer
- Type of Grass: Any
- Liquid or Granular: Granular
- Pet and Child-Friendly: Yes
- Good for fast greening
- Fixes burned regions of the lawn
- Suitable for use in combination with other fertilizers
- Requires plenty of water
- Might stain areas like driveways or sidewalks
- May burn grass without sufficient watering
Natural Lawn Food
For those gardeners looking for organic lawn fertilizer, this product caters to your needs with its Natural Lawn Food blend. This organic fertilizer features blood and bone meals, as well as other premium organic ingredients like potash.
Organic choices are ideal for gardeners that think the fertilizer runoff might affect their vegetable garden ort fruit trees. Most gardeners will see the results in their lawn within three weeks of application. We recommend you apply this formula quarterly for the best results.
Pet owners and parents will find it comforting that this fertilizer is safe for use around pets and children. The blend of natural ingredients can help adjust the pH of your soil, bringing it back to optimal growing conditions.
- Promotes Lush Green Turf Grass. Will Not Burn Your Lawn.
- Plant Based Formula with Distillers Grains & Soy. No Harsh Chemicals, No Manure & No Smelly Biosolids.
- Convenient, Family & Pet Friendly. No Restrictions on Re-Entry Time After Application.
- 10-0-2 Formula with No Phosphorus Meets Town & Municipality Regulations Restricting Phosphate Use.
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
User reviews state that some gardeners might have an issue with the smell of the product after applying it to their lawn. Fortunately, you won’t have to deal with any burn effect is you over-apply this fertilizer.
However, the fertilizer is not grass specific, and it will encourage the growth of weeds in your lawn as well.
- Coverage: 2,500 to 4,000 square feet
- Season: Any
- Type of Grass: Any
- Granular or Liquid or Granular: Granular
- Child and Pet-Friendly: Yes
- Organic formula with no chemical additives
- Safe for use around pets and children
- Helps with tempering acidic soil
- Makes weeds grow as well
- Not suitable for sandy soils
ScottsFertilizer Buyer’s Guide
Lawn fertilizers are available in granular and liquid formats. We suggest you stick with the granular type unless you have a tiny lawn. Granular types are easy to spread, especially with the assistance of a spreader.
However, liquid types penetrate deep into the ground, while granular fertilizers are typically slow-releasing. Use liquid-based fertilizers when treating problem areas, and granular fertilizers for general coverage and maintenance.
Each of the fertilizers in this review has different uses in different applications. Your choice depends on your location in the United States, and the growing conditions in your yard. If your yard has a shady area that receives poor sunlight, then it’s going to be challenging to get any grass to grow in this area.
If the summertime is rolling around, then you need a blend that increases the growth of the roots as the conditions improve. A summertime formula should also include a weed and insect control to promote the growth of your grass while keeping weeds and pests at bay.
Seasonal Feeding
Your lawn requires different types of nutrients, depending on the season. For instance, in the wintertime, you need a formula that focusses on repairing and strengthening the roots, so the grass grows lush the following spring and summer.
In the summertime, you’re going to need a formula that focusses on rapid growth, as well as pest and weed control. Many gardeners make the mistake of applying on type of fertilizer all year round, and then wonder why they don’t get the results they expect from the product.
When selecting your ideal fertilizer, look at the product recommendations for application in the right growing conditions. Summer formulas that inspire rapid growth in your lawn as often more aggressive, and you’ll need to follow the watering guidelines to prevent the formula from burning the grass or damaging seedlings.
Weed and Pest Control
When the springtime and summer come around, your lawn springs to life – and so does the local bug population. Any insects or weeds overwintering in your lawn will also benefit from you feeding your grass.
The Scotts summertime formula is an excellent example of a product that keeps pests and weeds at bay when your lawn starts to take off in the early springtime. If left unchecked, pest populations and weeds can choke the life out of your grass, resulting in bare patches.
Organic Fertilizers
If your family doesn’t want to use chemical fertilizers in your lawn, then look for an organic version available from Scotts. Organic fertilizers ensure there’s no contamination of your vegetable garden due to fertilizer entering the garden through rainwater run-off.
Organic fertilizers are kinder on your grass, and it’s rare to experience any burning unless you considerably overdo the fertilizing protocol.
Scott Fertilizer FAQ
If you still have a few more questions about selecting the best Scotts fertilizer product for your lawn, check out these frequently asked questions.
Where Can I Buy Scotts Fertilizer?
You can purchase Scotts fertilizer on Amazon and have it delivered directly to your door, anywhere in the United States. There’s no need to go to the hassle of visiting the nursery, only to find they don’t have what you’re looking for in stock.
Can I Fertilize a New Lawn?
After planting or sprouting a new lawn, you need to give the roots of the grass time to establish themselves in the soil. We recommend that you don’t fertilize a new lawn until the late fall, and then use a wintertime formula from the Scott range. Fertilizing too early could damage the roots of your new grass and cause burning.
Is a Spreader worth the Investment?
If you have to cover a large area, then investing in a spreader is definitely worth the money. Spreaders ensure that your lawn gets the right coverage, and it’s more efficient than doing the job by hand.
What’s Better – Liquid or Granular Fertilizer?
We recommend using a liquid fertilizer for problematic areas of the garden. You can use a granular type for general coverage of your lawn.
How Many Times Do I Need to Fertilize My Lawn Throughout the Year?
You’ll need to fertilize your lawn at least once during the year. Feeding in the early springtime is generally the best strategy. However, fertilizing with the Scotts wintertime formula in the late fall ensures that your lawn comes back stronger than ever the following year.
Conclusion
There’s a Scotts fertilizer to suit any lawn, from your backyard to fairways on professional golf courses. If you’re still on the fence about choosing the best product for your yard, then you can rely on our top choice in this review.
If you need to improve the growth of the roots of the lawn over the winter, then grab the wintertime formula. If you’re looking to give your lawn a boost this summer, pick up the SummerGuard product with insect and weed control.
For those gardeners looking for an excellent all-round formula for their lawn, you can rely on our top pick. Choose the product that’s right for your grass, and let it grow to its full potential this summer.
1 Comment
I live in an apartment and have a very small area of grass.
I can’t afford all the varieties Scotts offers.
What single one do you recommend for my small area?