All lawns require a little care and attention in order to thrive. Feeding your lawn can not only promote greener and healthier growths, but also keep weeds and invasive mosses away.
When it comes to all-around lawn care, and feeding specifically, there are a number of variables to consider. In this article, we’ll explore everything from the optimal lawn feeding times to which types of feed will achieve the best results.
When Should You Feed Your Lawn?
The best times to feed your lawn stretch between early spring and late autumn. Most lawn professionals advise a March/April feed, two feeds between May and July, and one last feed sometime between September and November.
This feeding structure cultivates new growth in the spring, helps your lawn to repair and stay healthy over the summer, and prepares itself for the dormant stretch in the winter.
Which Lawn Feed Should You Use?
This depends entirely on the time of year. The active ingredients in lawn feeds will vary depending on the type you are using, with each ingredient providing a different function.
- Nitrogen (N): Promotes the healthy growth of new grass. If your existing lawn is yellowed or the green has paled, this can signify a deficiency in Nitrogen levels.
- Phosphorous (P): Targets root systems to provide extra strength and resilience throughout the year, most importantly in drier weather conditions.
- Potassium (K): Best for bolstering the durability of lawn grass and keeping it hydrated, ideal for times of drought and disease.
- Iron (Fe): Helps your lawn to metabolise more efficiently, and significantly enhances its overall colour, achieving a bright and vibrant green throughout the year.
- Magnesium (Mg): A useful component that helps to balance the pH levels in your soil, which prevents grasses from becoming too acidic.
In the spring and summer, when your lawn is most often in use and the weather is warmer, you should opt for a feed with greater levels of Nitrogen. This will help to accelerate growth and boost greenness, supporting a thick and luscious lawn for the brighter months.
In the autumn and winter, growth and colour are less of a priority, as the colder weather puts your lawn under immense pressure. At this time, you should choose feeds with higher phosphate, potassium, and magnesium levels, as their speciality lies in strengthening root networks and fortifying each individual blade.
The Best Way to Maintain a Well-Fed Lawn
Once you have a feeding schedule in place, and your lawn has all the nutrients it needs to flourish, you will still need to keep it in shape throughout the year. With our extensive range of lawn care equipment, such as petrol and electric lawnmowers, leaf blowers, care tools, and more, you can keep your lawn looking its best between feedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I water my lawn after feeding?
Generally, we would recommend watering your lawn well after applying feed, as this can help to distribute the feed more widely and ensures it reaches the deepest grassroots.
Signs to look out for when a lawn needs feeding?
Brown or yellow patches are a telltale sign that your lawn is in need of some help, as well as thinned areas of grass, and an overgrowth of weeds. If your lawn is free of these common symptoms, but you are still worried, you can test the pH and nutrient levels in the soil to determine if it is feeding time or not.
Should I apply food before or after it has rained?
We recommend feeding your lawn after rainfall, because heavy rain tends to wash away vital nutrients in a lawn’s early stages of growth, or if the soil is overly dry. Once the rain has fallen, the earth should be softer and will absorb more of the feed you apply.
Can I feed my lawn after mowing?
Yes, definitely. You should apply your lawn feed after mowing because it allows the food to settle into the lawn in time for the next mow.
Is lawn fertiliser safe for use around children and pets?
If ingested, some feeds can be harmful to children and pets, so it is best to keep them away from the lawn until the feed has been completely absorbed. And always make sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on the packet for maximum safety.
Can you overfeed your lawn?
Yes, and you can generally tell if your lawn has been overfed if the grass has taken on a blueish hue, or if thatching has become excessive.
What should I do if I have overfed my lawn?
If overfeeding occurs, water the area thoroughly to aid in flushing the excess fertiliser away. Then hold off on mowing for a few days to give your lawn time to recover on its own. If the lawn is severely damaged or turning yellow or brown in patches, you may need to re-seed in order to rejuvenate the affected regions.
