Our 8 Favorite Fertilizers for Feeding Your Yard and Plants This Fall (2024)

Our Top Picks

Jobe's Organics All-Purpose Fertilizer can be used to treat a wide variety of plants, making it the most versatile option on this list. With a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) ratio of 4-4-4, it can be used for vegetable gardens, flowers, trees and shrubs, and houseplants. The addition of microorganisms improves soil quality, increases root mass, and encourages plant growth. Applying it to garden beds in the fall can help prepare the soil for the plants that will emerge in the spring.

This fertilizer is 100-percent organic, and its ingredients have been verified by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) as approved in the growing and creation of certified organic products. While it is safe to use around children and pets, the pungent scent of this formula may attract dogs, so you may want to monitor your pets to prevent them from digging around in it.

Jobe's Organics All-Purpose Fertilizer comes in a resealable bag for easy storage, and it’s available in several sizes, including a 4- and 16-pound bag. This granular formula should be mixed with soil before planting. Note that this product also needs to be applied every four to eight weeks throughout the growing season.

_{NPK Ratio: 4-4-4 | Feed Duration: Apply every four to eight weeks during growing season | Application Type: Granular}

If you want to grow bigger, healthier plants, Miracle Gro’s All-Purpose Plant Food is an excellent choice. It comes in a resealable, waterproof bag and includes a measuring scoop for precise application. The water-soluble solution can go directly into your watering can, making it easy to feed container plants. It's especially good for giving your indoor plants a nutritional boost in the fall to prepare them for dormancy in the winter.

If you’re treating a larger outdoor garden, it’s probably best to apply the fertilizer with a garden feeder. This versatile formula can be used on all types of flowers as well as vegetables, houseplants, trees, and shrubs. A 5.5-pound bag will feed up to 2,200 square feet, and this solution is very cost-effective because you can mix the exact amount you need.

Keep in mind that the fertilizer needs to be applied pretty frequently—once every two weeks for best results. According to the manufacturer, this mineral-based formula won’t burn the roots of your plants though, if it's used as directed. Be sure to keep the powdered formula dry during storage, otherwise, clumping may occur.

_{NPK Ratio: 24-8-16 | Feed Duration: Apply every two weeks | Application Type: Water-soluble granular}

This comprehensive trio from Fox Farm fertilizes plants throughout all stages of the growth cycle. As the name suggests, the Grow Big formula promotes a more abundant bounty in the early growth stages. You will want to apply the Tiger Bloom when you first notice buds or flowering. Tiger Bloom is an extremely potent, high-phosphorus fertilizer that will speed up the growth process even more.

The Big Bloom concentrate contains earthworm castings, which provide instant nutrition and improve soil conditions. You might even see growth results within days. Please note that you can also use the Big Bloom formula at any stage of the growing cycle though, to repair root systems and improve nutrient absorption.

We like that this system is tailored to the specific needs of plants and vegetables. However, the application process is a bit more complicated because the products must be used in sequence. In the fall, you can apply them to enrich the soil of your garden beds in preparation for the spring. Big Bloom is also great for boosting houseplants through the winter months.

These formulas are also concentrated, so you’ll have to dilute them based on the manufacturer’s instructions. You’ll also have to closely monitor your plant growth to determine the appropriate time to apply each product. If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, however, you can even expect your plants to produce vegetables year-round.

Not surprisingly, this three-pack is pricier than most standalone fertilizers, but it is a more thorough approach to fertilizing.

_{NPK Ratio: 6-4-4 (Grow Big), 2-8-4 (Tiger Bloom), 0.01-0.3-0.7 (Big Bloom) | Feed Duration: Not listed | Application Type: Concentrated liquid}

Miracle-Gro Shake 'N Feed Citrus, Avocado, and Mango Plant Food contains many essential nutrients for ample fruit production, including potassium, magnesium, iron, and sulfur. This granular fertilizer can be used on new or existing in-ground citrus, mango, and avocado trees. While this fertilizer can be applied to other citrus trees, it may not be the best for other fruits like berries.

Applying this fertilizer formula is very simple. All you have to do is sprinkle 1.75 tablespoons of fertilizer per 4 square feet under the tree, making sure it doesn't come into contact with the trunk or foliage. Next, use a rake or shovel to work the fertilizer into the surface of the soil before watering.This formula comes in a 4.5-pound container with a spout at the top for easy dispensing.

Note that this product must be applied every three months during the growing season. It's useful in the fall to help enrich the soil and prepare for spring, and you can also use a light application to feed any winter-hardy citrus trees you have that continue growing through the cooler months.

The fertilizer contains chemical ingredients that produce fast results, but also risk burning the lawn or harming the environment. According to the manufacturer, however, this pick is guaranteed not to burn when applied as directed.

_{NPK Ratio: 8-2-10 | Feed Duration: Apply every three months | Application Type: Granular}

This pick is specially formulated to treat trees and shrubs, providing a mix of inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for vital nutrition. The slow-release formula promotes healthy soil and moves systemically from roots to branch tips.

It’s also a highly effective pesticide that can kill over 40 types of insects, including aphids, leafminers, and borers, which can be deadly to trees and other vegetation. Just one application will prevent new infestations for up to a year, including through the fall and winter months.

It comes in a concentrated formula, which needs to be mixed with water before application. While it could be applied with a sprayer, it’s recommended that you mix it in a large bucket or watering can to apply directly on tree and shrub roots. Since this formula contains insecticides, it is not recommended for use on edible plants.

This product is a lot more expensive than other options, but it does double duty as a fertilizer and pesticide, which could save you money on professional tree care.

_{NPK Ratio: 2-1-1 | Feed Duration: Apply once every 12 months | Application Type: Concentrated liquid}

If you want to keep your lawn green and healthy, Scotts Turf Builder UltraFeed is the way to go. This fertilizer has a high nitrogen content with a ratio of 40-0-5, and it can be used on all types of grass, from centipede to Bermuda to St. Augustine.

Since this formula works to thicken grass, it helps to crowd out weeds as well. However, it's important to note that it doesn’t contain any weed killers or insecticides; you’ll have to treat those problems separately.For best results, this granular fertilizer should be applied with a fertilizer spreader and lightly watered afterward. Scotts' long-lasting, low-maintenance formula sets it apart from the competition: each application feeds your lawn for up to six months, and it doesn’t need to be reapplied in most parts of the United States during growing season.

You can apply it in the fall to help recover from summer stress, but make sure to follow the instructions on the label for late-season feeding. A 20-pound bag covers up to 4,000 square feet of lawn, giving you plenty of bang for your buck.

_{NPK Ratio: 40-0-5 | Feed Duration: Apply every six months | Application Type: Granular}

This Espoma fertilizer is made with feather meal and pasteurized poultry manure, giving it a nitrogen-rich formula that results in greener grass. It has an NPK ratio of 8-0-0 that promotes early-season lawn growth, and it also contains 3-percent calcium to protect lawns from disease. The formula is available in a 30-pound bag and can feed up to 5,000 square feet of lawn. Plus, the granular application is a breeze.

According to the manufacturer, it’s best to apply this fertilizer in February, March, or April for any cool-season grasses and in January or February for any warm-season grasses. If you live in a region that experiences mild winters, you may also want to consider applying it in the fall to give your grass a nice headstart going into the spring growing season.

Please note that this formula doesn’t contain potassium, so it may need to be supplemented with a potassium-rich formula late in the growing season if you have St. Augustine grass. We do not recommend this formula for centipede grass, as it prefers a fertilizer with a lower nitrogen percentage.

Since this is an organic formula, it may take a few weeks to see results. On the plus side, it's safe to use around children and pets.

_{NPK Ratio: 8-0-0 | Feed Duration: Apply every two months | Application Type: Granular}

Featuring organic ingredients and made by worms (yes, really!), We the Wild's Grow Concentrate is our favorite fertilizer for indoor plants. It works well all year long, but a diluted solution in the fall can be especially useful for helping maintain healthy plants through the cooler and darker winter months.

This potent little bottle of liquid contains 20 groups of microbes and over 4 million microorganisms per teaspoon to help plants thrive. We particularly like that this formula is suitable for use on all indoor plants, making it easy to treat every variety in your home with the same fertilizer.

We also love how easy it is to apply this liquid fertilizer to indoor plants of all kinds. With just a small amount (less than a teaspoon) per quart of water, you can apply all of the concentrate's beneficial microbes. Plus, we really like that the formula is designed to be fast-acting and low-odor.

Just be aware before applying this concentrate that it doesn't work in tandem with other types of fertilizers. You'll want to use it solo on your indoor plants. Additionally, while the product says this liquid formula can technically be used just fine on outdoor plants, its mix of microbes is really best for indoor varieties, and it doesn't contain all of the nutrients outdoor gardens might need.

^{NPK Ratio: Not listed | Feed Duration: Apply when soil feels dry | Application Type: Liquid}

Final Verdict

Our favorite fertilizer is Jobe’s Organics All-Purpose Fertilizer. It promotes steady plant growth and improves soil conditions. It can be used for vegetable gardens, flowers, trees and shrubs, and houseplants. If a lush, green lawn is your goal, we recommend Scotts Turf Builder UltraFeed. This nitrogen-rich fertilizer provides fast results and feeds lawns for up to six months.

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