When to fertilize a Kentucky bluegrass lawn in Ohio?
By LawnYear editorial team · Published · Updated Windows are read from the extension publications listed under Sources; the dates are approximate.
The answer
The fertilizing windows for Kentucky bluegrass in Ohio are Apr 1 to May 31 and Oct 1 to Nov 30, per Ohio State University Extension, Lake County (2007). Without a late-fall application: 1/2 lb actual N per 1,000 sq ft about April 1 and again about May 25. After a late-fall application: one spring application, in late April or early May, of no more than 3/4 lb N. Calendar is written for northeastern Ohio and covers all of Ohio only approximately. Late October or early November, after the first hard frost while the grass is still green: 1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft; the calendar calls it the most important feeding of the year. Months are shown; wait for the frost.
Full calendar: Ohio lawn care calendar · Kentucky bluegrass in other states · Lawn schedule by ZIP
Approximate dates for your state. Check with your local cooperative extension office before you act.
All Ohio windows for Kentucky bluegrass
The Ohio calendar on this site lists seeding Sep 1 to Sep 15 and Mar 1 to Apr 30, fertilizing Apr 1 to May 31 and Oct 1 to Nov 30, weed control Apr 1 to Apr 25 and mowing Apr 1 to Nov 30 at 2 to 2.5 in for Kentucky bluegrass.
Where the dates come from
Ohio State University Extension, Lake County: F.S. 101, Lawn Care Calendar for Northeastern Ohio (revised 2007); month-by-month, geared to northern Ohio. Read on 2026-10-29.
What to check for Ohio
The fertilizing dates for Kentucky bluegrass above (Apr 1 to May 31 and Oct 1 to Nov 30) apply to Ohio as a whole, so the north and south of the state are not told apart.
Other grasses in Ohio
For perennial ryegrass, fine fescue and tall fescue, the Ohio calendar gives Apr 1 to May 31 and Oct 1 to Nov 30 for fertilizing.
Fertilizing Kentucky bluegrass in other states
- Virginia: Aug 15 to Oct 31 and Mar 1 to May 31, per Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech), 2025.
- Pennsylvania: Apr 15 to May 31 and Aug 15 to Oct 15, per Penn State Extension.
- Missouri: Apr 1 to Apr 30 and Sep 1 to Oct 31, per University of Missouri (Integrated Pest Management), 2015.
- Kentucky: Oct 1 to Nov 30, per University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (2014).
- Indiana: May 1 to May 31, Sep 1 to Sep 30 and Nov 1 to Nov 30, per Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service (1998).
- Wisconsin: Sep 1 to Sep 15 and May 20 to Jun 10, per University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension (2022 and 2025).
- New Jersey: Aug 15 to Sep 30 and Nov 1 to Nov 30, per Rutgers Cooperative Extension (NJAES), 2023.