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Short answer · 1 source

When to fertilize tall fescue in Maryland?

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 Maryland are Aug 15 to Oct 31, Nov 1 to Nov 15 and Apr 1 to May 15, per University of Maryland Extension (2026). Fertilize in late summer to mid-autumn as the lawn needs it (start date is this site's reading of 'late summer'); the page says not to fertilize in summer. The page says the amount depends on a soil test and gives no rate. A second dose in late autumn must go on before the November 15 cutoff; shown as November 1 to 15. An optional spring dose for weak or stressed lawns, April to about mid-May (or Memorial Day).

Full calendar: Maryland 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 Maryland windows for tall fescue

The Maryland calendar on this site lists seeding Aug 15 to Oct 15, fertilizing Aug 15 to Oct 31, Nov 1 to Nov 15 and Apr 1 to May 15 and weed control Mar 1 to Apr 30 for tall fescue.

Where the dates come from

University of Maryland Extension: Lawn Maintenance Calendar (2026); seasonal timing for tall fescue, fine fescue and zoysia, page updated March 16, 2026. Gives seasons and months, no nitrogen rates. Read on 2026-10-30.

What to check for Maryland

The fertilizing dates for tall fescue above (Aug 15 to Oct 31, Nov 1 to Nov 15 and Apr 1 to May 15) apply to Maryland as a whole, so the north and south of the state are not told apart. At least one date in this answer is this site's reading of a chart mark or season word, not a date printed in the source.

Other grasses in Maryland

For fine fescue, the Maryland calendar gives Aug 15 to Oct 31 and Nov 1 to Nov 15 for fertilizing. For zoysiagrass, the Maryland calendar gives May 20 to Jun 30 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).
  • Tennessee: Mar 15 to Apr 15 and Sep 1 to Nov 15, per University of Tennessee Extension (2010).
  • Alabama: Feb 1 to Apr 30 and Sep 1 to Sep 30, per Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Auburn University), 2023.
  • 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.