Your lawn works hard and deserves the best of care. In this article, from guest blogger David Hedges Gower we’re looking at the importance of autumn-winter lawn feeding and the best way to go about it.
- Autumn-winter lawn feed supplies vital nutrients for roots (roots continue growing during the winter months
- Well fed lawns are better able to resist disease and cope with frost
- Always use a lawn feed formulated for autumn-winter use
- Apply between October and February – every 6-8 weeks if the weather permits
We’re rocketing through Autumn, and knowing our luck it won’t be long before the weather people are telling us winter’s coming early! So this is a really important time of year to think about your lawn and prepare it for tough times ahead.
And that means food!
If lawn feeding seems complicated – you’re not alone
The world of fertilizers can seem a minefield – not just the products, but how to use them, when to use them…whether to use them….
But it doesn’t have to be so complicated. The simple fact is that lawn fertilizers all work to some extent – no one would be selling ones that didn’t. But it’s when you start examining the product specifications that things get confusing.
If you’re daunted by the different NPK calculations for different seasons or struggling to integrate these into your rudimentary feeding programme, you’re be forgiven for firing up Google instead and typing in “how do I choose a lawn-care company?” And for some, that’s certainly the best solution – hire the right firm and you’ll have a well-looked-after lawn.
However, I want to help those of you who still like getting out there yourself and being personally involved in what happens to your garden. And I know from talking to some of you that even the timing of the seasons themselves is now causing confusion – when exactly does Summer end and Autumn begin?
Lawncare: When does summer end and autumn begin?
Unfortunately, no one can answer that accurately – we just have to keep an eye on prevailing conditions that can range from heavy autumnal rains to late dry Indian summers. But one thing you can do is to choose a reliable fertilizer. As I said, they all work, but some work better than others.
But who can set a date for the beginning of autumn?
Unreliable weather is one of the many reasons I like the Harrowden Turf range of lawn feed. The Rejuvenator Autumn/Winter feed is nicely balanced and will suit your lawn equally whether we’re basking in mild autumn or heading for an early chill. And this gives you more confidence when you’re worried about the other aspects of feeding.
Versatile lawn feeds
For example, if you were to follow the sports turf model of lawn care, you’d be obsessed by the shut-off dates for this or that fertilizer. But for most of us with gardens, what should matter is whether we’ve sacrificed the lawn (which allows more of the fertilizer to reach more of the grass) or how much fertilizer to use (which is almost as important as what sort).
The really good news is that a reliable product like Rejuvenator can sit happily on the lawn without harming it, waiting for some seasonal rain to water it in. So you can be proud of your environmental gardening techniques!
So, feeding does not have to be overwhelming; but if you want some more advice or haven’t yet devised a simple year-round feeding plan, you can find all of that in my book, Modern Lawn Care.
For now – bon appetite to your lawn!