The average U.S. homeowner spends about $224 for lawn fertilization. Depending on square footage and type, most spend between $72 and $377.
When calculating how much fertilizer costs, you can expect to pay between $72 and $377, with most homeowners paying around $224 for professional service. Pricing varies depending on the type of fertilizer, the size of your lawn, and whether you DIY or hire a pro.
You can save money when hiring a lawn fertilization pro by bundling fertilization services with additional treatments, such as aeration and applying insecticide or fungicide.
Calculations based on the average size of a lawn, which is ⅕ acre. We converted these dimensions to 8,700 square feet. A 50-pound bag of fertilizer covers up to 10,000 square feet. Calculations rounded to the nearest whole number.
| Fertilizer Spreading Cost | 50-pound bag of organic fertilizer, including labor | $200–$500 |
| Optional: Mow Lawn | 8,700 square feet | $50–$300 |
| Total | $200–$500 | |
| Total per Square Foot | $0.02–$0.05 | |
| Total with Options | $450–$1,300 | |
| Total per Square Foot with Options | $0.05–$0.14 |
Labor, tools, and equipment make up 80% to 90% of the total cost of lawn fertilization. For example, the average cost of lawn fertilization is $400. The fertilizer for this project costs $40 to $80, with the remaining $320 to $360 paying for labor and professional equipment.
The square footage of your lawn determines how much you'll pay to fertilize it. The bigger your lawn, the more fertilizer you need, and the longer it’ll take a pro to apply it. Typically, you can expect to pay between $0.02 and $0.08 per square foot for professional lawn fertilization.
However, if you choose to bundle additional lawn care treatments—a common cost-saving practice among homeowners—you can pay as much as $0.40 per square foot. Take a look at some common lawn sizes and the typical costs of professional fertilization without additional services.
| Size | Cost Range (Labor Included) | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 500 sq. ft. | $10–$40 | $25 |
| 1,000 sq. ft. | $20–$80 | $50 |
| 2,500 sq. ft. | $50–$200 | $125 |
| 5,000 sq. ft. | $100–$400 | $250 |
| 7,260 sq. ft. (1/6 acre) | $250–$350 | $300 |
| 8,700 sq. ft. (1/5 acre) | $275–$375 | $325 |
| 10,900 sq. ft. (1/4 acre) | $300–$400 | $350 |
| 14,500 sq. ft. (1/3 acre) | $350–$450 | $400 |
| 21,800 sq. ft. (1/2 acre) | $400–$500 | $450 |
| 32,700 sq. ft. (3/4 acre) | $450–$550 | $500 |
| 43,500 sq. ft. (1 acre) | $500–$600 | $550 |
All fertilizers can help improve the health of your lawn, but before purchasing, it’s important to consider whether you want to invest in synthetic or organic products. Synthetic fertilizers tend to cost less than organic ones, and they're usually faster-acting and more potent. However, even though organic fertilizers are more expensive, they're better for your soil long-term. They nourish and replenish the soil and build better soil health, reducing your lawn's reliance on a constant fertilization cycle.
“Consider organic fertilizers, especially if pets and children use the lawn space,” says Tara Dudley, Angi Expert Review Board member and owner of Plant Life Designs.
| Type | Cost Range to Apply 50-Pound Bag (Labor Included) | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Synthetic | $100–$300 | $200 |
| Organic | $200–$500 | $350 |
Synthetic lawn fertilizers typically cost $100 to $300 for a 50-pound bag, including the labor cost to apply it. This is generally enough to fertilize 5,000 to 10,000 square feet. While cheaper, you generally need more synthetic fertilizer applications because the effects are temporary and don't build soil health in the same way organic products do.
Plus, the chemicals used in synthetic fertilizers are dangerous if mishandled, and lawn fertilizers can be dangerous for pets and people. It's also easy to overuse these products, creating different issues for your lawn, which can be costly to repair.
Expect to pay between $200 and $500 for a pro to apply 50 pounds of organic lawn fertilizer across a 5,000- to 10,000-square foot lawn. Organic fertilizers continue to gain popularity among homeowners who want to reduce their carbon footprint and don't want to use unnecessary and potentially harmful chemicals.
Organic fertilizers consist of natural products like seaweed concentrate and so are less detrimental to the environment, don't risk polluting water sources, and are less hazardous to the health of your family and pets. Plus, it's more challenging to overuse organic fertilizers.
However, these natural products tend to take longer to work but are effective over a more extended period. Because they build soil health over the long term, the cost of organic fertilizer is offset by the reduced number of applications you'll need year on year.
To fertilize between 5,000 and 10,000 square feet, you'll pay between $100 and $600. The type of fertilizer has a significant impact on the price you'll pay. The type of fertilizer you need depends on the type of grass, your climate, and any issues your lawn is facing other than basic feed needs.
Your local lawn fertilizer pro can advise you on the best type of lawn fertilizer for your specific needs. Take a look at the typical costs of fertilizing 5,000 to 10,000 square feet with different kinds of fertilizer.
| Fertilizer Type | Cost Range for 50-Pound Bag (Labor Included) | Average Cost for 50-Pound Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Fast-release | $112–$312 | $212 |
| Moss and fungus control | $110–$325 | $215 |
| Weed and feed | $110–$325 | $215 |
| Granular | $140–$350 | $245 |
| Water-soluble | $190–$360 | $275 |
| Liquid | $150–$475 | $310 |
| Gradual-release | $240–$410 | $325 |
| Crystalline | $240–$410 | $325 |
You'll pay between $100 and $300 for synthetic fast-release fertilizer and $125 to $325 for its organic counterpart. Liquid, water-soluble, granular, or fast-acting fertilizers are popular because they get to work right away and are a good rescue remedy for a neglected lawn.
While they act fast, they don't build soil health and don't work long term. Therefore, a fast-release fertilizer is often used to give immediate help in conjunction with a slow-acting fertilizer to provide long-term benefits.
Synthetic moss and fungus control fertilizer costs $100 to $325, and an organic option costs $125 to $325. These products feed your lawn while killing off moss and fungus. If you have mossy patches or persistent fungal problems in your yard, then moss and fungus control fertilizer is a smart choice. Interestingly, synthetic products kill off the moss and fungi, while organic products achieve the same effect by changing the soil's chemistry.
Weed and feed synthetic products cost $110 to $325, while organic weed and feed costs $125 to $325. This type of fertilizer uses a blend of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus to feed the lawn and employs specific herbicides that combat common lawn weeds, including dandelion, dollarweed, clover, and chickweed, among others. Some also kill crabgrass without harming the lawn.
Granular synthetic fertilizer costs $140 to $350, while organic granular fertilizer is similarly priced at $150 to $350. Generally, slow-release granular fertilizers are water-soluble. Because of their wide availability, natural granular fertilizers are one of the most affordable organic lawn fertilization options.
For water-soluble synthetic fertilizer, expect to pay $190 to $360. If you want to go organic, you'll pay a little more, with products ranging from $215 to $375. Water-soluble fertilizers are easy to apply. They need correct measuring and mixing to ensure accurate coverage, and, once mixed, you apply the product with a sprayer.
Synthetic liquid feed typically costs $150 to $475, while the organic version will run you $150 to $600. Liquid fertilizers are easy to use as long as you dilute them correctly. Add the necessary amount of concentrated fertilizer to the water, and spray over your lawn. While costly, liquid fertilizers are easy to use and generally give the best, longest-lasting results.
Gradual-release synthetic fertilizer costs $240 to $410. The organic version is more costly at $350 to $500. These products slowly release their nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, providing continuous nourishment over a longer period. Gradual release fertilizer is a better option than fast-acting fertilizer alone. While the latter gets to work quickly and gives an immediate boost, gradual-release products mean you'll need fewer applications and your soil will remain healthier and more balanced over the longer term.
Synthetic crystalline fertilizer costs $240 to $410, and the organic equivalent costs $350 to $500. Crystalline fertilizers contain a more specific blend of nutrients than standard lawn fertilizers. If, for example, you do a soil test that shows your soil lacks magnesium and potassium, you'll choose magnesium- and potassium-rich crystalline fertilizer to correct the issue.
Applying fertilizer is a relatively simple task and can be done as quickly as 20 minutes. Granular fertilizer is the safest and easiest option for DIYers. The amount of fertilizer you need will vary based on the size of your yard. Depending on the fertilizer type and brand, a bag of fertilizer can cover anywhere from 4,000 to 15,000 square feet.
You’ll also need to purchase a handheld spreader if you have a small lawn or a rolling broadcast spreader if you have a larger lawn. In that case, you’ll need to make a one-time investment of $10 to $65 for a handheld spreader or $50 to $150 for a broadcast spreader.
Of course, if you want to guarantee high-quality results to ensure your lawn grows as well as possible, consider hiring a local lawn fertilization pro. If you're already hiring a pro to mow, rake, or aerate your lawn, adding on fertilization services may be worth the additional expense. Keep in mind that overfertilizing a lawn can harm it, so if you’re uncomfortable using the spreader or keeping track of the fertilization schedule, you may be better off working with a professional.
If your lawn has other issues, you can often save money and time by bundling services and having multiple treatments and services simultaneously. Prices vary significantly depending on the treatment required, your lawn size, and the complexity of the task.
| Additional Lawn Fertilization Treatments | Cost Range (Labor Included) | Average Cost (Labor Included) |
|---|---|---|
| Lime treatment | $100–$150 per 1,000 sq. ft. | $125 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
| Crabgrass treatment | $30–$80 | $55 |
| Grub treatment | $30–$80 | $55 |
| Aeration cost | $75–$200 | $140 |
| Mulching | $150–$400 | $225 |
| Dethatching | $265–$295 | $280 |
| Mowing | $50–$300 | $175 |
| Raking | $100–$600 | $350 |
| Soil Test | $10–$30 | $20 |
Want to cut down on your fertilizing budget? Here are some tips to consider.
DIY wherever possible: If you have a small yard with minimal issues, consider fertilizing your yard yourself to reduce labor costs. However, you’ll have to invest in the necessary tools and equipment.
Hire a pro at the end of fall: While the best time to fertilize your lawn is late summer through fall, you may save money on labor costs by hiring a pro during the end of their busy season. Talk with local fertilization services about the right timing for your lawn’s health.
Choose a less expensive fertilizer: Opting to use synthetic instead of organic fertilizer will reduce the cost of materials for this project.
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How often you should fertilize your lawn depends on its health. A healthy, lush lawn with good soil health may only need fertilizing once per year. Other lawns with shallow roots or that have been neglected or overly reliant on fertilizers may need an application as often as every six weeks.
You can fertilize right after mowing as long as you've collected the clippings. If you leave grass clipping, they can form a mat that prevents the fertilizer from reaching the soil. Plus, grass clippings are rich in nitrogen, so if you leave them and then apply fertilizer, you can end up with too much nitrogen in the soil.
Overfertilizing can burn and kill the grass as well as upset the soil's nutrient balance, leaving your grass prone to disease and infestation. You'll know that you have overfertilized your burn when you have recently fertilized and begin to see brown and yellow patches of dead grass that need to be reseeded.
The best fertilizer for early spring is an organic slow-release fertilizer that sets up your lawn for continued good health and vigorous growth throughout the whole growing season. If your lawn is particularly neglected or has specific issues, you may need an application of quick-release fertilizer alongside a slow-release one for an immediate boost.
Yes, you can use compost on your lawn alongside or even instead of standard fertilizer. Compost is rich in nutrients and organic matter and restores the balance and health of your soil. It also replenishes depleted soil, adding volume as well as nutrients. It's a great alternative to synthetic slow-release fertilizer. And if you compost at home, you can save money by applying your own compost.
