Applying Lawn Fertilisers
With so many lawn fertilisers on the market it can be difficult to choose between them. The big question is what do you want to achieve ?
For long term lawn growth look for an all purpose slow release type, the powdered types that can be applied with a fertiliser spreader are ideal.
A few products are sold for ‘greening lawns’ these are usually high in sulphate of ammonia and will green up a lawn quickly, however they do little for long term growth and health of lawns.
Look for a balanced lawn fertiliser with a NPK ratio of around 11 : 4 : 8. Different fertilisers work at different times of the year, one with a higher potassium content is sometimes used in autumn.
When to fertilise lawns
In Australia the best time to apply fertiliser to lawns is in spring. Wait until the ground is wet and more rain is on the way. This means that after the application the rain will help the fertiliser commence working.
Before applying consider aerating your lawn, especially if compaction is obvious, this allows better water and fertiliser penetration. Also weed before applying.
Consider patching up those parts of the lawn that are a little bare at the same time, top dress and sow some extra seed.
How to apply fertiliser
Start by checking out the application rates on the packet and work out how much fertiliser is required, more is not always better.
- Work out the size of your lawn and divide it up into sections, set aside the right amount of fertilizer for one section and apply. You will quickly see how much and how thickly you need to spread the fertiliser.
- Repeat this with the other sections
- A large ice-cream container with hole drilled in it can work as a spreader, or buy one from the local hardware store. Scotts make a good hand spreader as well as ‘wheel along’ spreader that is the best way for fertilising larger lawns with accurate application.
- With a little practice you coud simply broadcast the fertiliser by hand, be careful of drift on windy days.
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