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Fertilizer Schedule for USDA Zone 8

USDA Zone 8 covers areas with minimum winter temperatures of 10°F to 20°F. The growing season runs from March through November, with fertilizer applications from March through November.

Zone 8 Quick Facts

Temperature Range10°F to 20°F
Average Last FrostMarch 15
Average First FrostNovember 15
Fertilizer SeasonMarch to November

Lawn Fertilizer Schedule for Zone 8

Zone 8 lawns receive their first application in March and their last by November. Cool-season grasses (fescue, bluegrass) and warm-season grasses (bermuda, zoysia) follow different NPK ratios at each application.

MonthActionNPK
MarchSpring green-up fertilizer for warm-season grasses
15N
0P
15K
N 15% Nitrogen: leaf and stem growth
P 0% Phosphorus: roots and flowers
K 15% Potassium: health and disease resistance
Learn more about NPK
MayLate spring nitrogen application
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
JulyMid-summer light feeding
15N
0P
10K
N 15% Nitrogen: leaf and stem growth
P 0% Phosphorus: roots and flowers
K 10% Potassium: health and disease resistance
Learn more about NPK
SeptemberFall fertilizer for root development
5N
10P
15K
N 5% Nitrogen: leaf and stem growth
P 10% Phosphorus: roots and flowers
K 15% Potassium: health and disease resistance
Learn more about NPK
NovemberWinterizer for warm-season grasses
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 8

With a last frost around March 15 and first frost around November 15, zone 8 gardens have a 9-month window for fertilizer applications.

MonthActionNPK
MarchSpring garden preparation
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
AprilFeed warm-season plantings
5N
10P
5K
N 5% Nitrogen: leaf and stem growth
P 10% Phosphorus: roots and flowers
K 5% Potassium: health and disease resistance
Learn more about NPK
MaySide-dress established 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
JulyMid-summer feeding
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
SeptemberFall vegetable garden fertilizer
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
OctoberFeed overwintering crops
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

States in Zone 8

11 states contain areas classified as zone 8. Your specific location within a state may fall in a different zone based on elevation and proximity to water.

TexasLouisianaMississippiAlabamaGeorgiaSouth CarolinaNorth CarolinaArkansasOregonWashingtonCalifornia

Source:USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map