Granular Fertilizer & Leaves: What You Need to Know

One of the most common questions we hear during the fall and winter months is:

“Should granular fertilizer be applied if there are leaves on the lawn?”

The short answer is yes — in most cases, it’s perfectly fine. Here’s why.

Light Leaf Coverage Is Not a Problem

Granular fertilizer is designed to work its way down to the soil surface. When there is light or moderate leaf coverage, the fertilizer granules naturally fall through the leaves and reach the turf. Once applied, rainfall or irrigation activates the granules, washing nutrients into the soil where the grass roots can absorb them.

This means that a thin layer of leaves does not prevent your lawn from receiving the benefits of fertilizer.

When Leaves Do Become an Issue

The exception is when leaves become dense, matted piles. Thick layers of compacted leaves can block fertilizer from reaching the soil and restrict airflow to the turf. This can lead to smothering, poor nutrient uptake, and in extreme cases, turf damage.

For this reason, large, matted leaf piles should be removed before fertilizer is applied.

Added Benefits When Leaves Are Managed

When leaves are mulched or removed before a granular application, it actually improves results. Fertilizer helps fuel soil microbes that assist in breaking down organic material, improving soil structure and overall turf health. Watering after application activates the fertilizer and supports this process even further.

What This Means for Your Service

If your lawn has light leaf coverage, your granular fertilizer treatment can move forward as scheduled with no issues.

If you notice dense or matted leaf piles, please reply to your service notification text and let us know. We’ll be happy to reschedule your turf treatment once the leaves are collected or removed to ensure the best possible outcome.

We also offer professional leaf removal services if you’d like help getting your property ready.

Our Goal

Our goal is always to apply treatments at the right time and under the right conditions to keep your lawn healthy, strong, and protected through the season. If you ever have questions or concerns, we encourage you to reach out — we’re here to help.

What About Liquid Treatments and Leaf Coverage?

We also receive questions about liquid applications and whether leaves on the lawn are a concern. The guidance is very similar to granular treatments.

Light leaf coverage is generally not an issue. When leaves are scattered or thin, liquid treatments can still reach the turf and perform as intended.

However, the same rule applies when leaves become dense or matted.

For post-emergent weed control, the liquid needs to contact the foliage of the weed in order to be effective. Thick layers of leaves can block that contact and reduce results.

For pre-emergent applications, the product must reach the soil surface to create a barrier that prevents weed seeds from germinating. Dense leaf piles can prevent the liquid from reaching the soil, limiting its effectiveness.

What This Means for Your Lawn

• Light leaf cover: Treatments can proceed as scheduled

• Dense, matted leaf piles: Treatments should be delayed until leaves are removed

If you notice heavy leaf accumulation on your property, please reply to your service notification text and let us know. We can reschedule your treatment for optimal conditions or assist with leaf removal services if needed.

Our goal is always to apply products under the right conditions to deliver the best possible results and protect the long-term health of your lawn.