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Fertilizer Schedule for USDA Zone 9

USDA Zone 9 covers areas with minimum winter temperatures of 20°F to 30°F. The growing season runs from February through December, with fertilizer applications from February through November.

Zone 9 Quick Facts

Temperature Range20°F to 30°F
Average Last FrostFebruary 15
Average First FrostDecember 1
Fertilizer SeasonFebruary to November

Lawn Fertilizer Schedule for Zone 9

Zone 9 lawns receive their first application in February and their last by November. Cool-season grasses (fescue, bluegrass) and warm-season grasses (bermuda, zoysia) follow different NPK ratios at each application.

MonthActionNPK
FebruaryEarly spring fertilizer as grass exits dormancy
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
AprilSpring 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
JuneSummer 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
AugustLate summer application
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
OctoberFall fertilizer for root growth
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

Garden Fertilizer Schedule for Zone 9

With a last frost around February 15 and first frost around December 1, zone 9 gardens have a 11-month window for fertilizer applications.

MonthActionNPK
FebruarySpring garden prep with balanced 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
MarchFeed spring 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 summer 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 planting 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
NovemberWinter garden feeding
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 9

6 states contain areas classified as zone 9. Your specific location within a state may fall in a different zone based on elevation and proximity to water.

FloridaTexasLouisianaArizonaCaliforniaHawaii

Source:USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map