Scotts vs Vigoro Lawn Fertilizer 2026: Which Grows Grass Better?
We researched and compared the top options to help you find the best Scotts vs Vigoro Lawn Fertilizer for your needs and budget.
See Today’s Price →At a Glance
Scotts vs Vigoro Lawn Fertilizer Buying Guide
Our Top Pick
Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food Fertilizer 5000 sq ft 12.5 lb at $20.14 [Best Overall]
Budget Pick: Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed3 Fertilizer 14.29 lb, 5,000 sq ft at $22.49 — Scotts Weed & Feed3 combines a broadleaf weed killer with Scotts lawn fertilizer —…
Scotts vs Vigoro Lawn Fertilizer: How to Choose
Scotts and Vigoro (Home Depot's house brand) are the two most widely available lawn fertilizers in North America. Vigoro is manufactured by Lebanon Seaboard, the same company that makes Scotts products — meaning they share production facilities and similar formulations. The real differences are in product lineup depth, slow-release technology, and price per square foot covered.
Who This Is For
Homeowners maintaining established lawns who want to improve color, density, and health through fertilization. Relevant for both cool-season grasses (fescue, bluegrass, ryegrass) and warm-season grasses (bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine) — though formulation timing and NPK ratios differ significantly between the two.
What to Look For
- NPK ratio for your grass type and season: The three numbers on any fertilizer bag (e.g., 32-0-10) represent Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium. Lawn fertilizers emphasize Nitrogen (greening and growth). Spring applications need higher N; fall applications benefit from higher K (root strengthening). Scotts has more seasonal-specific products; Vigoro's lineup is simpler.
- Slow-release vs. quick-release nitrogen: Quick-release nitrogen greens your lawn fast but requires more frequent applications and risks burn. Slow-release (polymer-coated urea in Scotts Turf Builder; urea in Vigoro) feeds over 8–12 weeks with lower burn risk. Scotts generally has more slow-release nitrogen in comparable products.
- Coverage area per bag: Both brands list coverage on the bag. Calculate your lawn's square footage and compare cost per 1,000 sq ft — this is the accurate comparison metric, not bag price.
- Weed & Feed vs. fertilizer-only: Both brands make combination products. Only use weed & feed if you actually have weed problems (the herbicide component is unnecessary cost and environmental load otherwise) and check that the herbicide is safe for your grass type.
Common Mistakes
Applying fertilizer to drought-stressed or dormant lawns — nitrogen burns grass when it can't be metabolized. Always water 24–48 hours before application and immediately after for granular fertilizers. Over-applying (more than label rates) causes fertilizer burn and runoff that harms waterways — more is not better. Never fertilize before heavy rain; nitrogen washes into storm drains before the grass absorbs it.
Price Context
Vigoro typically costs 20–35% less than Scotts for comparable coverage areas — a meaningful difference for large lawns requiring multiple bags. Scotts Turf Builder (32-0-10, 5,000 sq ft) runs $30–$35; Vigoro All-Season (28-0-6, 5,000 sq ft) runs $22–$28. For tight budgets, Vigoro delivers adequate results. For premium slow-release performance, Scotts' polymer-coating technology is the differentiator.
For the complete spring lawn care schedule — pre-emergent timing, fertilization windows, and aeration sequence — see our spring lawn care guide.Related Guides
- Raised Garden Bed Complete Guide
- Spring Lawn Care Guide
Watch Before You Buy
“Scotts Turf Builder 12.5lb — 32-0-10 NPK, feeds up to 5,000 sq ft for 2 months.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 5000 sq ft
- 12.5 lb
- Scotts quality
- Quick-release nitrogen
Watch out for
- Nitrogen-heavy formula can burn lawn if applied in hot, dry conditions or applied too heavily
- granules must be watered in immediately after application
- adds seasonal cost for multiple applications
Read Full Analysis
Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food uses a 32-0-10 NPK formula, delivering high nitrogen for rapid green-up and potassium for root development and drought resistance. The 12.5lb bag covers up to 5,000 square feet with a single application, and the slow-release nitrogen continues feeding for up to 2 months. Scotts' WaterSmart formulation claims to help the lawn absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. Best applied in early spring or fall when grass is actively growing. The Turf Builder base formula is one of the most-used lawn fertilizers in the country and is safe for all grass types including Kentucky Bluegrass, Bermuda, Fescue, and Zoysia. Compatible with Scotts broadcast spreaders and most third-party spreaders at the recommended spreader setting.
“Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed — fertilizes and kills weeds simultaneously for established lawns.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Kills weeds and feeds lawn in one application
- Covers 5,000 sq ft per bag
- Kills dandelions, clover, chickweed, plantain
- Works with any broadcast spreader
Watch out for
- Must be applied when lawn is wet for weed killer absorption
- Do not apply to newly seeded grass or it will kill new seedlings
Read Full Analysis
Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed combines lawn fertilizer with a broadleaf herbicide, letting you address dandelions, clover, and chickweed while feeding your lawn in a single application. The formula feeds with the same NPK backbone as standard Turf Builder while applying the weed killer simultaneously through contact with wet weed leaves — which is why it must be applied to a wet or dewy lawn. It's not safe for new seeding (wait at least 6 weeks after seeding), and should not be used on St. Augustine or Dichondra lawns. The convenience of combining two applications into one is the primary appeal. For homeowners without a major weed problem, straight fertilizer is more economical, but for moderately weedy lawns, Weed & Feed saves a full pass with the spreader.
“Vigoro All Purpose Plant Food 5lb — balanced 12-4-8 formula for lawns, gardens, and containers.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 5 lb
- All-purpose
- Vigoro quality
- Budget value
Watch out for
- Lower NPK ratio than specialty fertilizers for specific plants
- 5 lb bag covers limited garden area
- balanced formula may underwhelm nitrogen-hungry vegetables or heavy feeders
Read Full Analysis
Vigoro All Purpose Plant Food uses a 12-4-8 NPK balance that works across lawns, garden beds, shrubs, and container plants — making it the most versatile option in the Vigoro lineup. The balanced phosphorus level supports root development in a broader range of applications than a lawn-only fertilizer. Available exclusively at Home Depot, it's positioned as a budget-friendly alternative to Scotts without sacrificing basic NPK performance. The 5lb bag covers smaller lawn areas or serves as an all-purpose garden fertilizer. Best for homeowners who want one fertilizer product that handles multiple uses across the yard rather than separate formulations for lawn, garden, and containers.
“Vigoro Lawn Fertilizer 44.4lb — covers up to 15,000 sq ft at a competitive price per sq ft.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 44.4 lb
- 15000 sq ft
- Vigoro quality
- Slow-release nitrogen
Watch out for
- Heavy bag requires a spreader for even application
- incorrect spreader settings can over-apply and burn grass
- not suited for newly seeded lawns without diluting the application
Read Full Analysis
Vigoro Lawn Fertilizer in the 44.4lb bag provides one of the lowest cost-per-square-foot options for large lawn fertilization, covering up to 15,000 square feet per bag. The nitrogen-forward formula promotes green-up and active growth comparable to Scotts Turf Builder at a meaningfully lower price point. Home Depot exclusive availability means you need to plan your purchase around store trips rather than Amazon ordering, but for homeowners with large lawns doing seasonal applications, the savings add up. The granular formula works with any broadcast spreader. Like Scotts, it's best applied in spring and fall. Best for budget-conscious homeowners managing large properties who are willing to buy in bulk from Home Depot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Scotts vs Vigoro lawn fertilizer — which is better?
What's the best time to fertilize a lawn?
Is a 4-Step fertilizer program actually worth the cost?
How much fertilizer does my lawn actually need per year?
Is organic fertilizer better for lawns than synthetic?
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