When To Fertilise Your Lawn?

Some readily available tools will help you on your way and make the job easier when fertilising your lawn.

• Rake / pitch fork / wheelbarrow
• Possibly a soil test kit if you need to know what nutrients your lawn is lacking (Soil test kits are available at any local garden center).
• Spreader for hand or push application of using a granular fertiliser
• Hose and hose connection if using a liquid fertiliser
• Spray applicator if using a concentrated liquid fertiliser – as well as the appropriate Personal Protective gear (PPE).

• Key time – Ideally, we recommend fertilising your lawn three times a year – spring, summer and autumn, but if you only do it once a year, then make it spring.
• After laying new turf – Before laying new turf use an Under Turf Starter Fertiliser which fuels growth and clings onto moisture. It lasts for about three months and then you can fertilise again.
• Key environmental events such as droughts – Forcing your lawn to grow with fertiliser during drought and heat doesn’t work well for your lawn’s health. Your lawn looks its best when it is healthy and not forced to grow when it is struggling to stay green. Instead, we recommend you use a Lawn Conditioner – which aids moisture and nutrient retention and lets your lawn put its energy into water absorption, root growth and maintaining its health.
• How often to re-apply – Re-applying fertiliser to your lawn depends on the type of fertiliser you have used – whether it be slow-release granular which works to feed your lawn over three months or liquid fertiliser which is a fast acting feed and therefore needs more applications, up to four times a year.

These easy tips will show you how to fertilise your lawn.

• Rake the lawn before fertilising to remove leaves and other debris.
• Wait at least two days after mowing before fertilising.
• Allow about a week after fertilising before you mow – leave the catcher off the first time (this is so the fertiliser remains on the lawn).

• Before fertilising, if you are worried about your lawn’s health do a soil test to see what nutrients it may be lacking – then you can choose the right fertiliser (Soil test kits are available at your local garden center).
• Select the appropriate fertiliser for your lawn variety and the time of year.
• Always read the directions for use on the label and make sure you do not apply any heavier than the recommended rate – over application may result in burning the grass.
• In general, best fertiliser results are achieved by feeding three times a year – early spring, early summer (before it gets too hot) and mid to late autumn.
• If you are going to only fertilise once a year, do it in late spring to early summer.
• Applying your fertiliser evenly is important so we recommend using a spreader (handheld or wheeled) if you use a granular fertiliser.
• Always remember to follow the directions on the label for when and how to water after fertilising.

When choosing a fertiliser, make sure it is suitable for your lawn variety and the time of year you are applying it to your lawn.

• Liquid Fertilisers contain the active ingredients which push your lawn to its fullest growing potential in the quickest time. As liquid fertiliser is a quick fix and ignites growth and greening-up of your lawn, it needs to be applied more frequently. They are easily applied through your hose or a spray applicator.
• Granular Slow-Release Fertiliser is often better value for money if you are looking for a slow-release feed and growth for your lawn over an entire season (three months). Slow release granular fertiliser is easily applied through a hand or push spreader.
• Traditional Fertiliser  are often the cheapest granular fertilisers that cause a quick spike in the growth and greening-up of your lawn.
• Organic Fertiliser is the most natural and environmentally-friendly fertiliser product available. True organic fertilisers are made up of either animal or vegetable matter and contain no artificial or synthetic materials. Application can be through a spreader or by hand depending on what product you purchase.

Knowing when to fertilise your lawn is the key to ensuring your lawn reaps all the benefits of being feed – root and leaf growth. The season and type of fertiliser you choose all come into the equation when fertilising as well as environmental factors such as drought.

Choosing the right fertiliser for your lawn is also important but can be made so much easier by visiting our myhomeTURF online shop which has a wide range of fertilisers for you to browse. If you are unsure what fertiliser is right for you, read myhomeTURF’s Concise Lawn Fertiliser Guide.

LawnPride Tracemaxx 5L Concentrate

LawnPride Maintain 26-2-9 + 3.4 Fe 20kg

LawnPride GroTurf 20kg 15-4-11 + Traces

Oxafert