5 Reasons to apply fertiliser in autumn

Depending on your location and how mild our Autumn is generally from mid to late October onwards, lawns are considered ‘dormant’ and the many mowers throughout the UK go back into their sheds for their own hibernation as grass growth slows down.
So, if your lawn is essentially ‘asleep’, why should you fertilise it? And is it worth it? We’ve got 5 reasons why it is!
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Protect against disease
If your lawn was last fed in summer, it can become more susceptible to disease. Snow Mould (fusarium patch) is caused by a low nutrient lawn, as well as Red Thread which can occur when a lawn is low in nitrogen. By feeding your lawn throughout the year, you can help prevent these diseases from happening in the future by using a Slow Release: Autumn / Winter fertiliser from the beginning of September, or a Quick Release: Autumn / Winter fertiliser if you’ve left it too late!
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Protect against frost
The potassium in our autumn / winter fertilisers helps to build strong grass by hardening it, so when a winter frost arrives … or the beast from the east part ll, your grass will be ready and resilient to fight it off with its super sharp and hardy blades! Where other lawns may suffer, yours will emerge victorious!
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Bigger, brighter, better!
It’s true that lawns get most of their use in the summer, and very little in autumn / winter, however, the fun and frolics of summer can take its toll on a lawn going into the colder months, compacting the surface while your grass holds on to the last bit of feed that it has left and may find it harder to recover from damage. By fertilising in autumn / winter, you can give your lawn a four-month feed to protect it and keep it disease and weed free, so when summer comes along again it will be bigger, brighter and much better than your neighbour’s!
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Slow and steady wins the race
In winter, grass growth slows way down to the point where it looks like it isn’t growing at all, but be rest assured – it is, just very very slowly. Just like any living thing, grass is growing all the time and needs certain nutrients to keep growing. An autumn / winter fertiliser provides your lawn with all it needs to grow ‘big and strong’ and have an overall healthier appearance.
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Build a stronger grass system
A lawn that is regularly fed and well cared for (not just when summer rolls around) will ultimately have a stronger system that will be quicker to recover from disease and damage. We wish we could say that it’s rocket science, but it really isn’t – by feeding your lawn throughout the year, regularly aerating, scarifying and mowing you can help your lawn out hugely. If you have moss issues you can use our weed and feed fertiliser mix to treat it and boost growth at the same time. Little steps at a time can make a huge difference to your lawn’s general health, make the ‘big jobs’ not so big, and give you less to do when the warmer weather is back.