Should I fertilise my lawn in Autumn / Winter?

Why should I fertilise my lawn in Autumn / Winter?

Using lawn fertilisers in autumn / winter will ensure your lawn is kept strong and dense and therefore able to cope with and recover well from difficult conditions such as drought, cold snaps or heavy traffic. Healthy lawns are tough and therefore also more resilient to moss, weeds and disease.

Fertilisers encourage the growth of roots and strengthen the lawn

Most lawn fertilisers will contain nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, identified as NPK on the label. They can also contain other trace element nutrients that can be beneficial for lawns. Autumn and winter lawn fertilisers contain more phosphate and potassium to encourage the growth of roots and strengthen the lawn.

Quick and Slow Release Fertilisers for Autumn / Winter

QUICK RELEASE: Autumn/Winter Fertiliser is designed for root strength over the cold winter months. The compound levels are NPK 3.12.12. It is low nitrogen fertiliser with high phosphate and potassium to strengthen the roots and stiffen the leaf blades.

This will protect the grass plant from severe weather conditions during the Winter. And will result in a healthier sward once growth begins the following spring.

SLOW RELEASE: Autumn/Winter Fertiliser compound levels are 8.0.6 of N,P,K. It is a late-season fertiliser with low nitrogen and high potassium and magnesium. It's designed to feed all grassed areas just enough to aid late-season growth without causing gluts of growth of lush grass that will be susceptible to frosts and disease as the days get shorter.

The potassium and magnesium strengthen grass roots and leaves - giving protection throughout the winter and resulting in a healthier sward the following spring.

Use the correct fertiliser

It is important to note that spring / summer fertilisers should never be used in the autumn or winter months. Spring / summer fertilisers usually have increased levels of nitrogen and therefore encourage the growth of grass.

This is something we do not want in the winter as the harsher temperatures can damage new growth. The fertiliser should not be applied when the lawn is frozen or when there is a drought. These conditions are a waste of fertiliser since the soil will not absorb it properly.

Water fertiliser if you are not expecting rainfall

After applying fertiliser, it is important to water the granules particularly if there is no rainfall. If left dry, the fertiliser will burn and damage the existing grass. Our time-saving tip is to fertilise on a day when you are expecting a good amount of rain so it does the job for you. Otherwise, just water it off yourself using a hose or sprinkler system.