Fertilising for dummies - Lawn secrets unlocked
Don’t let your lawn go hungry this summer. Find out how to feed it properly and ensure a luxurious carpet of green with Rolux MD Bruce Williams’ handy fertiliser guide.
27/01/2022
Like any living thing, lawns love being fed. Offer your lawn an all-you-can-eat buffet and it will reward you with lush growth all summer long. Regular applications of fertiliser and water is a simple enough task, but with the huge range of fertilisers available to garden owners nowadays, picking the right one for what you want to achieve can be confusing.
A balanced fertiliser is one that contains all three of the essential growth-producing elements:
• Nitrogen (N).
Known as the leaf-maker, it stimulates the growth of foliage, improves leaf colour and increases the size of plants.
• Phosphorus (P).
Known as the root-maker, it boosts root growth and the germination of seeds.
• Potassium (K).
Known as the flower- and fruit-maker, it improves the quality of fruits and flowers and is a general growth booster.
When choosing a fertiliser, you will come across a number on the bag that looks like this: 2:3:2 (22). This refers to the ratio of the elements needed for specific plants – N:P:K – and you can choose which ratio you want depending on what you are growing.
If you want an all-purpose fertiliser for your lawn go for 5:1:5 (36). This ratio indicator denotes a fertiliser that is high in Nitrogen (N) and Potassium (P). The last two digits (36) tells you the percentages of the three named elements in the mix. When looking for a specialised fertiliser for your lawn, you can purchase one that is formulated specifically for this.
Using Fertiliser
• When and how to apply
Apply fertiliser at a rate of 60g per square metre during the growing season at least once every three months. A nitrogen-rich feed is a good idea in spring to boost leaf growth and thereafter a 5:1:5 or controlled released LAN.
If you are experiencing dry conditions or water restrictions, rather avoid fertilising as it can burn your lawn if not watered well.
Although not essential, you can feed your
lawn during winter using a 2:3:2 fertiliser,
which contains less nitrogen and more
phosphorus. Most lawns become dormant in winter,
so they don’t need high volumes of nitrogen.
Spread the fertiliser evenly using a special
spreader or the back of a rake.
Type of Fertiliser
• Chemical versus organic
Chemical fertilisers are a
man-made combination of elements formulated to
give plants immediate access to the nutrients
they require. Excessive use of these can, over
time, lead to a loss of natural, water-soluble
plant nutrients from the soil.
Organic
fertilisers are made up of natural materials and
are by nature slow release. They often include
micro elements, which result in a more balanced
diet for plants, and they condition the soil
while feeding the plant. More regular
application of an organic fertiliser is advised
for best results.
Tips for success
- Slow-release fertilisers are best to use on your lawn, indicated by the letters ‘SR’ after the number on the bag. These provide your green carpet with all the important nutrients for up to six months.
- Water your lawn a few days before you fertilise to make sure it isn’t suffering from drought stress.
- Water the fertiliser immediately after applying to avoid fertiliser burn.
- Apply extra fertiliser
after a particularly rainy season to replace
nutrients leached from the soil.