Fertilizer Schedule for USDA Zone 5
USDA Zone 5 covers areas with minimum winter temperatures of -20°F to -10°F. The growing season runs from May through September, with fertilizer applications from April through October.
Zone 5 Quick Facts
Temperature Range-20°F to -10°F
Average Last FrostApril 30
Average First FrostOctober 5
Fertilizer SeasonApril to October
Lawn Fertilizer Schedule for Zone 5
Zone 5 lawns receive their first application in April and their last by October. Cool-season grasses (fescue, bluegrass) and warm-season grasses (bermuda, zoysia) follow different NPK ratios at each application.
| Month | Action | NPK |
|---|---|---|
| April | Early spring application as grass greens up | 20N 5P 10K N 20% Nitrogen: leaf and stem growth P 5% Phosphorus: roots and flowers K 10% Potassium: health and disease resistance Learn more about NPK |
| June | Late spring boost | 20N 0P 5K N 20% Nitrogen: leaf and stem growth P 0% Phosphorus: roots and flowers K 5% Potassium: health and disease resistance Learn more about NPK |
| August | Late summer recovery application | 15N 5P 10K N 15% Nitrogen: leaf and stem growth P 5% Phosphorus: roots and flowers K 10% Potassium: health and disease resistance Learn more about NPK |
| October | Fall winterizer | 10N 10P 10K N 10% Nitrogen: leaf and stem growth P 10% Phosphorus: roots and flowers K 10% Potassium: health and disease resistance Learn more about NPK |
Garden Fertilizer Schedule for Zone 5
With a last frost around April 30 and first frost around October 5, zone 5 gardens have a 5-month window for fertilizer applications.
| Month | Action | NPK |
|---|---|---|
| April | Amend soil before planting season | 5N 5P 5K N 5% Nitrogen: leaf and stem growth P 5% Phosphorus: roots and flowers K 5% Potassium: health and disease resistance Learn more about NPK |
| May | Fertilize transplants after hardening off | 10N 10P 10K N 10% Nitrogen: leaf and stem growth P 10% Phosphorus: roots and flowers K 10% Potassium: health and disease resistance Learn more about NPK |
| June | Side-dress vegetables | 5N 10P 10K N 5% Nitrogen: leaf and stem growth P 10% Phosphorus: roots and flowers K 10% Potassium: health and disease resistance Learn more about NPK |
| July | Feed fruiting crops | 5N 10P 10K N 5% Nitrogen: leaf and stem growth P 10% Phosphorus: roots and flowers K 10% Potassium: health and disease resistance Learn more about NPK |
| September | Fertilize fall crops | 10N 10P 10K N 10% Nitrogen: leaf and stem growth P 10% Phosphorus: roots and flowers K 10% Potassium: health and disease resistance Learn more about NPK |
States in Zone 5
14 states contain areas classified as zone 5. Your specific location within a state may fall in a different zone based on elevation and proximity to water.
ColoradoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasMassachusettsMichiganMissouriNebraskaNew YorkOhioPennsylvaniaUtahConnecticut