Contents
- Why fertilise your lawn?
- Which fertiliser does your lawn need?
- for a greener lawn
- for a growth boost
- for laying a new lawn
- for repairing a damaged lawn
- to control weeds in the lawn
- to control moss in the lawn
- for a lawn with a robotic mower - What is the difference between spring fertiliser and autumn fertiliser?
- The NPK formula: what does it mean?
- When and how often should I fertilise the lawn?
- Why fertilise your lawn when you can mulch it instead?
- Do I still need to lime the lawn if I’m already fertilising it?
- Practical tips for fertilising
Why fertilise your lawn?
Many people think that fertilising the lawn isn’t really necessary, but in reality it is essential. Sufficient nutrients ensure that your lawn is more resistant to disease and less likely to discolour during dry spells. This helps it look fresh and healthy for longer.
In addition, fertiliser helps the lawn recover after a harsh winter or dry summer, and reduces the need for other maintenance. For example, scarifying will be required less often, as a well-nourished lawn helps prevent moss from forming.
Grass grows through photosynthesis: it absorbs minerals from the soil and produces sugars using light, CO₂ and water. However, these minerals are not always present in sufficient quantities in the soil. That is why fertilising is necessary. Furthermore, the sugars are stored in the leaves. So when you mow, you remove some of that energy. By fertilising your lawn regularly, you replenish these reserves and give the grass exactly what it needs to stay strong and healthy.
Decision guide: which fertiliser does your lawn need?
Choose the right lawn fertiliser to suit your lawn’s needs.
• Are you mainly looking for a healthy, deep green colour?
Then choose a lawn fertiliser rich in magnesium.
• Has your lawn just been laid?
If so, the nitrogen content in your fertiliser shouldn’t be too high, so as not to burn the seeds. A suitable fertiliser creates the ideal environment for germination.
• Do you have bare patches and could your lawn do with a growth boost?
That’s exactly what nitrogen is for. It stimulates growth.
• Do you want to restore your damaged lawn?
Does your lawn look a bit patchy after the summer, winter or scarifying? Choose a restorative fertiliser that is high in potassium.
• Is your lawn plagued by moss?
If so, a specialised fertiliser is a must, especially in shady gardens.
• Do you have a problem with weeds in your lawn?
Proper and regular maintenance is the key to a weed-free garden. Fertilising is therefore an important part of this!
• Do you have a robotic lawnmower in your garden?
This requires a specialised fertiliser containing added bacteria. These break down the excess grass clippings.
What is the difference between spring and autumn fertiliser?
Fertilisers are essential for a healthy lawn, but that doesn’t mean you can just use any lawn fertiliser at any time. It is recommended that you fertilise your lawn three times a year, as fertilisers provide nutrients for an average of three months. Don’t use the same fertiliser all year round: your lawn has different needs at different times of the year.
• Fertilising in spring
In spring, your lawn needs nitrogen most of all. This stimulates growth (including root growth) and ensures a dense, lush lawn. A lush lawn not only looks attractive, but also leaves less room for weeds. Magnesium is also important, as it helps to produce a deep green colour.
• Fertilising in autumn
In autumn, on the other hand, you want to slow down the grass’s growth and strengthen the roots. You should therefore choose a fertiliser rich in potassium and phosphorus. These nutrients make the lawn stronger and more resistant to diseases and fungi in winter, for example during prolonged snowfall.
• Fertilising in summer
As fertilisers generally last for around three months, it is advisable to give your lawn an extra dose of fertiliser in summer too. This ensures the grass remains healthy and well-nourished during warmer periods.
Tip from Marcel: We recommend that you stop using nitrogen-rich fertilisers from mid-August onwards. If you do use them anyway, and then fertilise again in the autumn, your lawn will receive too much nitrogen. This can weaken the grass rather than making it stronger for the winter.
The NPK formula: what does it mean?
• N = Nitrogen: promotes the growth of your lawn
• P = Phosphorus: ensures a strong root system for your lawn
• K = Potassium: boosts your lawn’s resistance
• Mg = Magnesium: magnesium is also a key component of lawn fertiliser. It gives your lawn its fresh green colour!
What is the difference between organic and chemical fertilisers?
• Chemische meststoffen
The benefits?- Quick, visible results: chemical fertilisers are absorbed immediately by your lawn, making your grass look green and healthy in no time.
- Tailored formulation: as chemical fertilisers are synthetic, they can be formulated very specifically to meet the needs of your lawn. This means they are packed with nutrients.
- Long shelf life: chemical fertilisers often have a longer shelf life.
- Short-lived effects: your lawn may transform instantly into the perfect green carpet, but this is short-lived. Chemical fertilisers are absorbed immediately by the lawn, but their effects are also short-lived.
- Risk of overuse: it is easier to overuse chemical fertilisers. This is not only harmful to your lawn but also to soil life, potentially leading to soil contamination.
• Organic fertilisers
The benefits?- A boost for your soil: organic fertilisers not only nourish your lawn, but also the soil. They help improve soil structure and soil life, which in turn benefits your lawn.
- Long-lasting effect: these fertilisers last longer than chemical alternatives. The nutrients are released gradually, meaning the effect lasts for longer.
- More environmentally friendly: with organic fertilisers, there is a much lower risk of burning your lawn. They are also more environmentally friendly.
- No instant results: because the nutrients are absorbed gradually, it takes longer to see a visible effect. This means you won’t be able to enjoy a green lawn straight away, but patience pays off!
- Lower potassium content: the potassium content in organic fertilisers is slightly lower than in artificial fertilisers. This needn’t be a problem, as it can be addressed with a suitable fertiliser, such as an organic autumn fertiliser. This contains a higher dose of potassium, which is exactly what your lawn needs during the winter months to build up extra resistance.
- Variable composition: chemical fertilisers can be precisely formulated to meet the specific needs of your lawn. As organic fertilisers are made exclusively from natural materials, their composition may vary.
When and how often should I fertilise my lawn?
For a healthy lawn, it is best to fertilise three times a year:
• Voorjaar (maart-mei) → herstel na de winter en de groei stimuleren
• Zomer (juni-augustus) → onderhoudsbemesting
• Najaar (september-oktober) → herstel na de zomer en het gazon aansterken voor de herfst/winter
Why fertilise your lawn when you can mulch?
What exactly is the difference between mulching and fertilising? And are both really necessary? Mulching is a natural way of fertilising, whereby the nutrients removed during mowing are returned to the soil. The cut grass is finely shredded and then spread evenly over the lawn. It’s brilliant, but it usually doesn’t provide enough nutrients for your lawn. What’s more, mulch is mainly rich in nitrogen.
Please note: mulching does not simply mean leaving the grass catcher off your lawnmower or turning it upside down. To mulch properly, you need a lawnmower with a special mulching function. Robotic lawnmowers usually have this function too.
One disadvantage of mulching is that it can encourage the formation of a thatch layer. Not all grass clippings are completely broken down, leaving organic material behind. You will therefore need to scarify the lawn more often to allow it to continue to breathe.
Read more about scarifying your lawn here
Do I still need to lime the lawn if I’ve already fertilised it?
Yes, if the pH level of your lawn is too low. Lime regulates the soil’s acidity, whilst fertilisers provide nutrients. So they have completely different functions, but both are necessary.
Always test the pH level of your lawn first before applying lime. The ideal pH level for a lawn is between 6.5 and 7. Various factors (such as acid rain) can cause your lawn to become acidic, leading to a drop in the pH level. More acidic soil (< 6.0) provides the ideal environment for moss. Liming reduces the acidity of the lawn and minimises the risk of moss growth. The lime also ensures that the lawn can better absorb the nutrients from the fertiliser. Allow the lawn to rest for a few weeks between liming and...
When is the best time to apply lime?
Late autumn (September–October) or early spring (February–March) are the ideal times to apply a dose of lime to your lawn. As well as standard lime, you can also opt for green lime or lawn lime. This type of lime is enriched with magnesium to make your lawn even greener.
Read more about the benefits of lime in this blog
Practical tips for fertilising
• Spread evenly: you can use a fertiliser spreader or a spreader trolley for this.
• • It is best to fertilise before it rains or to water the lawn. This allows the nutrients to penetrate the soil properly and be absorbed more effectively. That way, you’ll get the most out of your lawn fertiliser!
• Stick to the correct dosage. Using too much fertiliser can burn your lawn, so more is certainly not always better!
• Mow the lawn before fertilising.
• Avoid fertilising in bright sunshine and hot weather to prevent burning.
Looking for more tips on how to keep your lawn healthy? Be sure to check out these blogs 👇
• How to get a beautiful & healthy lawn• Renewed vigour: the importance of lime
• All you need to know about grass seed!
• Weeds in my lawn. Now what?
• Take on the moss in your lawn
• Scarify your lawn healthily