Fertilising your lawn properly is a sure way to make the grass healthier, greener and thicker. This, in turn, increases the curb appeal of your property and can help you sell your home for a higher price, or just make your neighbours envy your front yard.
But how often should you fertilise your lawn? Also, how do you enrich your soil in a way that is healthy for the grass? Let’s take a look at the right way to feed your lawn and make your yard greener and thicker. Just like the professionals do it!
When to fertilise the lawn?
We suggest you fertilise your lawn twice a year, with the best times being early spring and autumn. Most lawn grass varieties can’t handle the cold weather very well, and fertilising session during early spring can help the grass sprout and thrive once the season comes.
However, if you or the gardening company you hire do the job right, you can get away with feeding your lawn only once in autumn to prepare the grass for the winter season.
Still, defining the best time to fertilise a lawn in Australia could vary depending on where you live, what’s the climate like and what kind of health your lawn is currently in. For the most part, though, it isn’t about how often you fertilize it’s really about the amount of nitrogen that you’re applying to your lawn.
How to fertilise a lawn
And now for the most important part – how to effectively fertilise the lawn for maximum results.
Tools you’ll need:
What you will need:
- Spreaders – There are two types of spreaders – drop and rotary. A drop spreader distributes seed, fertilizer, and other amendments. It’s settings allow you to control the amount distributed. The rotary spreader flings seed or amendments over a wide area. Although it is faster, it is not good for small lawns with irregular shapes.
- Trowel (optional) – The trowel is usually used for mixing the fertilizer and other additives. It can also be used for breaking up the earth, transferring plants to pots and digging holes.
- Wheelbarrow – To haul everything from lawn tools to fertilizers and lawn waste.
How to feed your lawn:
- Select a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer.
The right grass feeing product can save you a ton of headaches. Opt out for a low-nitrogen slow-release fertiliser to ensure that you won’t damage your lawn. - Look at the back of the bag for the recommended rates.
You’ll need to know the square footage of your lawn and the spreader you’re using to properly calculate the amount needed for your yard. - Measure the grass areas in your yard.
Don’t worry if you aren’t measuring your lawn to the exact centimetre. This an advantage of using low nitrogen slow release fertilizer – you won’t damage your grass if your calculations are a bit off. Make sure to measure the length and the width of the space that you’ll be fertilising. - Multiply the length times the width of each area to get the total square footage.
Finally, add the square footage of each area to calculate the total grass area that needs to be fertilized. - Mow your lawn before applying the fertilizer for more even distribution.
Cutting the grass will help you work faster and easier. Check the bag once again for the proper spreader setting. Divide the recommended setting number in half. - Apply the lawn feed
Spread half the recommended rate of the fertiliser in one direction and the other half at a 90 degrees angle to the first pass. This helps ensure a more even application and avoid stripes of dark and light green grass. - Clean up
Sweep fertilizer off blocks, drives and other hard surfaces and wash your hands after working on the lawn.
Tip #1:Except regular feeding, your lawn needs watering. Unless you live somewhere that gets very little summer rainfall, like Perth, you can get away without a watering system.
Whether you’re using the old school method of watering with a hose and a sprinkler, or you have a new fancy watering system installed on your lawn, we advise you to spend more time and water your lawn thoroughly. Grass reacts better to thorough waterings, rather than frequent showers. This, in turn, makes the roots of the grass grow deeper.
Tip #2:The best product to fertilise with is a good slow release fertilizer with a wetting agent. Slow release fertilisers won’t burn your lawn and it will keep working for a duration of two to three months.
Tip #3When the grass gets too thick, nutrients and water can’t penetrate all the way down to the roots where they are most needed. That’s when you should think of aerating your lawn. Learn more about lawn aeration here.
Why fertilising your lawn is so important?
There are a few key benefits that proper fertilising can give to your lawn.
Keeps your lawn in a healthier state
Fertilising your lawn properly will keep the grass healthy, maintaining the rich green colour and thickness of your yard.
Enriching the soil will also reduce the weeds in your yard and minimise the chance of diseases and pest infestations.
Saves money
Fertilising your lawn will not only ensure that you have a healthy, great looking grass but you’ll save a ton of money as well. If you don’t take proper care of your lawn on a regular basis you might end up paying more for restore it in the future.
Improves your family leisure time
Everyone enjoys some time under the sun and the feeling of rich, thick grass beneath their feet. Properly fertilising your lawn will ensure that you and your family have an amazing outdoor space where you can comfortably enjoy each others company.
