Fertilising too early?
Don’t rush it…
It's easy to get over-excited about spring and instantly want to spread fertiliser far and wide across your backyard, but this would be a mistake. Fertiliser requires very specific conditions to be able to work effectively and, for most of us, February doesn't offer them. 'Avoid fertilising too early, as cold temperatures in many regions mean the grass won't benefit from it,' says Gene. Hold off on this task for now and focus on setting out a fertilising plan for once it is warmer.
RHS Website:
Most lawns will grow perfectly well without being fed, giving you a green carpet to enjoy through much of the year. Traditionally, fertiliser was applied to lawns in spring to improve their vigour and help prevent weeds and moss from establishing. But in many parts of the UK, our changing climate means that drought is now a bigger factor than lack of feeding in allowing weeds and moss to establish in lawns.
Additionally, if you want to develop a more relaxed, wildflower-friendly lawn, then feeding is not required.
Still, although not essential, feeding will give your lawn a boost, especially if you want a lush, dense, all-grass lawn. When applying lawn feed:
Be aware that artificial fertilisers take a lot of energy to manufacture and may have detrimental effects on the environment, so only apply if required and use the minimum amount to keep your grass in good shape – see our guide to using fertilisers and our guide to organic gardening
Choose a specific spring/summer lawn fertiliser and apply it at the manufacturer’s recommended rate in mid-spring, while the lawn is green and actively growing (usually late March/April). These feeds are high in nitrogen, to boost leafy growth, and usually release their
To grow well, plants need a wide range of nutrients in various amounts, depending on the individual plant and its stage of growth. The three key plant nutrients usually derived from soil are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, while carbon, oxygen and hydrogen are absorbed from the air. Other vital soil nutrients include magnesium, calcium and sulphur. Gardeners can add nutrients by applying fertilisers (either artificial or naturally derived) to boost plant growth and improve flowering and fruiting.
nutrients slowly over several months
Apply the fertiliser evenly across the lawn, ideally in cool, moist conditions when rain is expected, or lightly water it in afterwards
If your lawn still looks below par in a couple of months, you can try another application, but not beyond August, as that would encourage green leafy growth too late in the year, when it could be damaged by winter cold, pests or disease
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