How to use fertiliser effectively

As part of our fertiliser guidewe look at how to use a fertiliser effectively.

1. Use the right one for your needs

There are seasonal fertilisers, quick-release fertilisers, slow-release fertilisers, weed killers and products that can do all three of those things, so it can be quite the minefield trying to work out what one you need! However, we have a buying guide that explains the best fertilisers to suit your needs.

Start with a Slow-Release Fertiliser First

Knowing when to use fertilisers is as important as knowing which one is right for your garden! As a best practice, we always recommend you opt for a seasonal slow-release fertiliser if you do not have any issues with weeds or moss. This means applying a SLOW RELEASE: Autumn / Winter at the end of August or the beginning of September for four months of coverage and then a SLOW RELEASE: Spring / Summer at the end of April or the beginning of May, which also lasts four months.

In between these times when you do not have coverage, you can use a quick-release fertiliser as a top-up treatment which will provide six weeks of coverage.

Use fertilisers suited to Autumn and Winter

For autumn/winter fertilising, our slow and quick-release fertilisers will protect your lawn from winter-borne diseases and feed it nutrients to keep it healthy during the colder months. Whereas in spring/summer months, our spring/summer fertilisers will make your grass incredibly green and lush and help to protect it from drought and disease. If you happen to have weeds or moss in your garden and your lawn is six months + old, you can use our Feed, Weed and Mosskiller to eradicate these and feed your existing lawn.

If you don't have a lawn and are planning on sowing a new one, we recommend our QUICK RELEASE: Pre-Seed. If you want something completely natural that you can apply all year round, go for our REVIVE: Organic 365.

2. Apply at the recommended rate

Our recommended application rates for our fertilisers exist so that you get the perfect balance of feed for your lawn and to minimise the risk of overdosing your grass, so try to stick to this as best you can.

3. Keep kids and pets away

When applying your fertiliser and waiting for it to dissolve, keep kids and pets away from the lawn as best as possible. If this is impossible, ensure they are supervised whilst on the lawn. Your fertiliser will take a few days to dissolve and will be visible on the surface until it is dissolved. Children should be kept off the lawn during the dissolving process. Most pets will instinctively know through scent that the fertiliser granules are not for consumption and will avoid trying to ingest them, but you should ensure that they do not do this through supervision.

4. Water it in

Our fertilisers only work when they are watered sufficiently. And in hot or dry weather, it may take more than a few days to dissolve. You should aim to saturate your fertiliser granules to kickstart their dissolving process by using a hose or watering can – as a sprinkler will not amply water the granules enough. Once the granules are dissolved, they’ll begin to work on your lawn.

5. Patio precautions

All our fertilisers are made up of chemical compounds, and these chemicals are activated when watered. When fertilising your lawn, you should aim to remove / water off any footwear you were wearing during the application and before walking on any patio/stone flooring to avoid any risk of damage.

I'm not sure if I need a lawn fertiliser...

For many reasons, fertiliser will benefit your lawn; all listed in our blog do I need to apply fertiliser to my lawn. Of course, if you would like further guidance, we are happy to help. Email expert@thegrasspeople.com with any queries.