Part 2: Fertilising And Feeding – A Beginers Guide to Feeding Your Lawn

Spring is the season when the garden seems to come out of hibernation.  Trees are bursting with new leaves and buds, and fresh life seems to be in the air.  Your lawn is awakening too, and after the prolonged season of cold, it is ready for a good meal: a hearty dose of fertiliser.

As a rule of thumb, it’s generally considered a good idea to feed your grass 3 times each year: Summer, Autumn, and Spring.  But if fertilising just once a year is your thing, then we suggest you make it late Spring.  Many of the grass varieties grown in Australia are warm season grasses, so as the weather warms up they enter a vigorous growing phase and benefit from that extra goodness that a dose of fertiliser brings.

What Type of Fertiliser is Best?

This is a hot topic that generates a lot of debate!  When it comes to what type of fertiliser you use, there are plenty of options out there on the market, so we suggest you take whichever course of action floats your boat!  After all, it’s your lawn.

Chemical Fertilisers

Lawns require certain nutrients and minerals to maintain good colour and lush, healthy growth. For this reason, a fertiliser that is high in nitrogen is a good choice: nitrogen facilitates the natural process of photosynthesis, encouraging a beautiful green lawn.

However, it is important to apply chemical fertilisers strictly in accordance to manufacturers’ instructions: an overdose of chemicals can do more harm than good!  Too much nitrogen will facilitate rapid blade growth and the root system will likely struggle to support the plant’s vigor. Also, excess chemicals will be washed off the surface and could pollute waterways, ponds or dams on your property.  They may also pose health risks to children and pets who may use your lawn.

Organic Fertilisers

If you wish to feed your lawn organically, there are plenty of ‘green’ options out there on the market too.  Your local hardware store or turf specialist can advise you on fertilisers that are made from natural ingredients rather than processed chemicals. Another great option is making your own nutrient-rich fertiliser from garden matter.

Correct Mowing

If you’ve been mowing with a catcher during the winter, now’s the time to swap to a mulching mower.  Leaving the grass clippings to decompose naturally on the lawn allows all that goodness to return to the soil and feed the roots of your grass.  And just because the grass looks healthy and green, don’t be tempted to lower the cutting deck too far – scalping your lawn could do a lot of damage and ruin your chances for a healthy summer lawn.  Yes, it’s true that you’ll have to mow more frequently during the Spring, but it’s better to put in the extra time and effort and mow higher and more frequently.

Phone us today at Greener Lawn for more important tips on Spring lawn care.  Our team has the experience and practical know-how to help you create the lawn you’ve always dreamed of, so let’s get started!