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Short answer · 1 source

When to fertilize tall fescue in Alabama?

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 tall fescue in Alabama are Feb 1 to Apr 30 and Sep 1 to Sep 30, per Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Auburn University), 2023. Standard schedule: 1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft in February, April and September, 3 lb a year. The maximum schedule is 4 lb a year and puts the spring doses in February and March. 1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft in September on the standard schedule; the maximum schedule adds a November dose (outside the window shown).

Full calendar: Alabama lawn care calendar · Tall fescue in other states · Lawn schedule by ZIP

Approximate dates for your state. Check with your local cooperative extension office before you act.

All Alabama windows for tall fescue

The Alabama calendar on this site lists fertilizing Feb 1 to Apr 30 and Sep 1 to Sep 30 for tall fescue.

Where the dates come from

Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Auburn University): ANR-0239, Home Lawn Maintenance (2023); Table 2 monthly nitrogen schedule by grass and Table 1 mowing heights. Read on 2026-10-30.

What to check for Alabama

The fertilizing dates for tall fescue above (Feb 1 to Apr 30 and Sep 1 to Sep 30) apply to Alabama as a whole, so the north and south of the state are not told apart.

Other grasses in Alabama

For bermudagrass and centipedegrass, the Alabama calendar gives May 1 to Aug 31 for fertilizing. For St. Augustinegrass and zoysiagrass, the Alabama calendar gives May 1 to Jul 31 for fertilizing.

Fertilizing tall fescue in other states

  • Virginia: Aug 15 to Oct 31 and Mar 1 to May 31, per Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech), 2025.
  • North Carolina: Sep 15 to Nov 30 and Feb 1 to Feb 28, per NC State Extension (2021).
  • Georgia: Feb 1 to Mar 31 and Oct 1 to Nov 30, per University of Georgia Cooperative Extension (2023).
  • Pennsylvania: Apr 15 to May 31 and Aug 15 to Oct 15, per Penn State Extension.
  • Ohio: Apr 1 to May 31 and Oct 1 to Nov 30, per Ohio State University Extension, Lake County (2007).
  • 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).
  • Maryland: Aug 15 to Oct 31, Nov 1 to Nov 15 and Apr 1 to May 15, per University of Maryland Extension (2026).
  • Tennessee: Mar 15 to Apr 15 and Sep 1 to Nov 15, per University of Tennessee Extension (2010).
  • 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.