Best Lawn Fertiliser Guide

At The Grass People we recommend feeding your lawn at least twice per year, once during the spring or summer and again during autumn. For more information, keep reading our Best Lawn Fertiliser Guide or our in-depth fertiliser guide!

1. What are fertilisers?

We all want a green and healthy lawn however it can be a battle as the grass has different nutritional needs throughout the year. To feed the lawn these nutrients we apply fertilisers which are a combination of chemicals. The chemicals generally found in fertilisers are nitrogen, phosphate and potassium, known as N.P.K.

The N.P.K numbers contained in fertilisers can be found on the label. With winter fertilisers, phosphate and potassium are at increased levels as these elements will encourage the growth of roots and strengthen the lawn under the soil. In spring and summer, however, we want the grass to flourish so higher levels of nitrogen are included which will promote growth. Think of fertilisers as a balanced smoothie for your grass.

2. How to fertilise

In preparation for fertilising, cut your grass 3-4 days before you apply the feed. Fertilisers are best applied through a spreader to get even coverage throughout the lawn. Check the application rate of the fertiliser and set the spreader accordingly. If applying by hand, mark out 1 metre squared, fill a container with the volume of fertiliser required and apply evenly. Then repeat this action throughout the garden.

3. When to fertilise

In spring and summer is it advisable to apply fertiliser in cooler, overcast days particularly in the mornings when dew leaves the grass moist. It is also helpful to fertilise when there is rain forecast as this will break down the granules and start the fertilising process in the soil. Users should avoid spreading fertiliser on very warms days. This is because the heat can cause the fertiliser to burn the grass blades.

4. What fertiliser to use and when

In spring or summer, there are two fertilisers which we would recommend; Quick Release: Spring/Summer Fertiliser or Slow Release: Spring/Summer Fertiliser.

Quick Release: Spring/Summer Fertiliseracts fast and can give your lawn a real boost. It lasts for up to 6 weeks and you can do two applications in the summer. You’ll notice that the colour of your grass becomes a deeper green and looks much healthier and accelerates grass growth. Quick Release: Spring/Summer Fertiliser contains NPK 9.7.7

Slow Release: Spring/Summer Fertiliseris a slow-release fertiliser which can last up to 12-16 weeks. It will nurture your lawn slowly and steadily throughout the warm weather protecting your grass from all the UK summer has to throw at it (flooding, drought!). Slow Release: Spring/Summer Fertiliser contains NPK 16.7.15

During autumn/winter, you can use either our slow release or quick release versions of these fertilisers. In autumn/winter, the purpose of your fertiliser is to keep your lawn healthy and less susceptible to disease and frost.

We also have information on using fertiliser if you have pets and the best times of year to use fertilisers!