Creating a new lawn that thrives throughout the seasons is a rewarding experience for any avid gardener.
However, this process does not happen overnight and requires proper care and attention to detail.
Fertilising and knowing when to do it are essential steps in this process and crucial to your lawn’s growth.
In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about fertilising your new lawn, including when you should do it, the benefits of fertilising, and how to avoid common mistakes.
Should you fertilise a newly laid lawn?
Yes, you should apply fertiliser to your new lawn, but it depends on timing.
New seeds require more essential nutrients like potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen to establish and grow successfully.
| Fast Facts Without these nutrients, your lawn may suffer from: Slow growth. Lack of nutrientsleads to slow grass growth and uneven coverage Weak roots. Grass will develop shallow and weak roots without fertiliser Discolouration. Un-fed grass tends to become pale or yellow as it cannot photosynthesise effectively Pests and diseases. A weak lawn is more vulnerable to pests like grubs or diseases like rust and red thread In addition, lawns that have not been adequately fertilised will require more maintenance and care to keep them looking healthy. |
What are the benefits of feeding a new lawn?
Applying fertiliser to new grass helps to ensure it gets off to the best possible start.
Our expertly blended Perfect Prep Fertiliser is packed with nutrients, designed to help your lawn thrive and promote rapid germination.
Here are some of the benefits of feeding new grass:
- Improves growth rate. A nutrient-rich lawn will produce more chlorophyll, which is essential for photosynthesis and energy production to stimulate fast growth
- Encourages strong roots. Fertiliser nourishes the lawn with the specific nutrients to develop a deeper and more resilient root system
- Prevents weeds. Common garden pests like weeds take advantage of weak and thin grass. Healthy grass is lush and thick, which makes it difficult for weeds to germinate successfully
- Boosts soil health. High-quality fertilisers often contain micronutrients like zinc, copper, and manganese, which enrich the soil and balance out any deficiencies. In addition, fertilisers may also contain organic matter like compost, which supports soil structure and increases its ability to retain water and nutrients
- Increases density. Fertilising new grass prevents the possibility of bare or thin spots appearing over time. A thick and dense lawn is also more resilient against pests and diseases, reducing the need for additional maintenance
How soon should you feed a new lawn?
It is important to ensure the new lawn has fully established itself before applying fertiliser.
| Top Tip For new grass, this is usually around 4-6 weeks after seeding, as the root system will be strong enough to absorb nutrients. |
If you apply fertiliser before this time, you risk causing unnecessary damage to your lawn, hindering its establishment, or even causing it to die.
Once your grass has successfully been established, you can continue its growth journey with our specialised Nourish & Nurture Fertiliser.
What is the best fertiliser for new grass?
Choosing the best fertiliser for new grass can be a daunting task; after all, there are so many options.
We recommend choosing a balanced fertiliser that provides even doses of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
These are key nutrients that promote healthy germination and rapid root growth, resulting in a lush and vibrant lawn.
Over time, you will find that your lawn’s needs will change, and you may need to change the type of fertiliser you are using.
For example, you may have carried out a soil test and found that your lawn is lacking in phosphorus,, so you would need a fertiliser with a higher concentration of this nutrient.
Common mistakes to avoid when fertilising new grass
When it comes to caring for your new lawn, fertilising is a crucial step to maintaining its health and strength.
However, as with any other area of new turf care, it can be very easy to make a mistake.
Mistakes happen; however, it can be frustrating when one undoes weeks of hard work spent establishing your lawn.
To avoid this, here are some of the most common mistakes when fertilising new grass:
- Using the wrong fertiliser. Can cause unnecessary damage to your lawn and stunt its root development. Avoid this by choosing a balanced fertiliser and carefully reading its nutrient ratio, which can be found on the packaging
- Over-fertilising. Results in fertiliser burn which causes discolouration and bare patches, making your lawn more vulnerable to pests and diseases. This can easily be avoided by following your chosen fertiliser application rates included in the product instructions
- Fertilising too early. A very common mistake that can cause stress to young roots and hinder their growth. Prevent this from happening by waiting 4-6 weeks for your grass to fully establish itself
- Forgetting to water. Fertiliser needs water to dissolve and be absorbed in the soil. If you forget to water your lawn after applying fertiliser, it will remain on the surface and could potentially burn the grass. Make sure this does not happen by creating a watering schedule, so you do not forget
- Applying during extreme conditions. Applying fertiliser in hot, dry, or rainy weather is an easy way to damage your lawn. If the weather is too hot, this can cause the fertiliser to burn your grass, while heavy rainfall can wash the fertiliser away before it’s had the chance to be absorbed. Work around this by monitoring the weather and choosing to fertilise on a dry day, ideally in the morning or early evening when the temperature has cooled
Ready to give your new lawn a boost?
Knowing when to fertilise the new grass on your lawn is essential to achieving a healthy and vibrant garden.
Waiting for the right time, applying the correct fertiliser, and avoiding common mistakes will all help your new lawn to thrive successfully.
Start your new grass on the right track and take our quiz to be matched with the best products for your lawn’s needs.
