10 Best Cheap Lawn Fertilizer 2025 in the United States

Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Fertilizer is designed to prepare your lawn for a healthy spring by building strong, deep roots. It works well on all grass types and covers up to 4,000 square feet with one 10-pound bag, making it a good choice for medium-sized yards.

This fertilizer uses granules that can be applied on both wet or dry lawns in the fall, the ideal season for feeding grass to help it recover from summer stress such as heat and drought. It is a synthetic product, which typically results in faster nutrient release compared to organic fertilizers.

You will likely need to apply it once per fall season, fitting well into a simple lawn care routine. The 10-pound bag size suits medium lawns but might require multiple purchases for larger areas. If you’re looking for an affordable, easy-to-use fertilizer to strengthen your lawn before winter, this product is a strong option, especially from a reputable brand like Scotts.

The Scotts Turf Builder Starter Fertilizer is designed to help new grass grow thicker and faster, making it a solid choice for people planting seed, sod, or plugs. Its N-P-K ratio of 24-25-4 means it has high nitrogen and phosphorus, which are essential nutrients for strong root and shoot development in young grass. This ratio is well suited for starting new lawns but might be too strong for established grass needing maintenance only. The fertilizer is synthetic and comes in powder form, which usually means quicker nutrient availability compared to organic types, but it lacks the long-term soil benefits that organic fertilizers offer. One 15-pound bag covers up to 5,000 square feet, a decent area for typical lawn sizes, and it is meant for use during planting or reseeding, not for frequent or routine feeding throughout the season.

Users report that it can improve grass growth by up to 70% compared to unfed grass, which highlights its effectiveness for new lawns. However, because it is a starter fertilizer, you may need to follow up with a different product for continued lawn health once the grass is established. Its safety for all grass types is a plus, making it versatile for many users. The product has strong customer ratings and is not discontinued, indicating reliability and steady popularity. In summary, this fertilizer provides a good budget-friendly option specifically for new lawns, but it is not necessarily the best choice for ongoing lawn maintenance or those seeking organic options.

The Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed3 is a combination of weed killer and lawn fertilizer designed to control a range of common lawn weeds like dandelions and clover while nourishing the grass. This product is suitable for various grass types including Bahiagrass, Bermudagrass, Bluegrass, Centipedegrass, Fescue, Ryegrass, and Zoysiagrass. One of its key strengths is its coverage; a 14.29 lb. bag can cover up to 5,000 sq. ft., making it a cost-effective option for medium to large lawns.

This product works by killing over 50 different types of weeds and feeding the lawn to make it thicker and healthier, thus preventing future weeds from taking root. The product is synthetic, so it acts quickly but might not be the best choice for those seeking an organic option. Users should apply it to a wet lawn when the weeds are actively growing and the daytime temperatures are between 60°F and 90°F for optimal results.

However, it is not available in Florida, which limits its accessibility for some users. Additionally, the need for precise weather conditions for application could be seen as a drawback. Despite this, its dual action as both a weed controller and a fertilizer, combined with its extensive coverage and ease of application in granule form, make it a strong contender for those seeking an affordable solution for lawn care.