Lawn care can be tough to nail for those dreaming of that perfect, lush green turf. But fear not, with the right fertiliser, you’re on your way to ensuring your grass is the envy of the neighbourhood.
In October it’s time to pamper your lawn with the essential nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, setting the stage for strong growth as autumn leaves begin to fall.
The Lawn Squad’s guru, Andrew Huber, has shared how to prep your grass for a “lush, deep green lawn” without splashing too much cash – the answer lies in a homemade DIY fertiliser.
He explained: “Fertiliser is not just about making your grass grow it’s about nurturing a landscape that can withstand the tests of nature and time. A robust lawn is your first defence against pests, diseases, and environmental stresses.”
The trick to a top-notch lawn fertiliser is making sure it’s packed with the key nutrients nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, which are the bread and butter of a healthy lawn.
If you’re looking to cut down on food waste and keep your wallet happy, why not turn your kitchen leftovers into fertiliser? Andrew said: “Turning kitchen scraps and yard waste into composted material is both eco-friendly and garden-smart. It’s an excellent way to reduce waste and benefit your lawn.”
First off, don’t toss those banana peels as they hold potassium and phosphorus – perfect for boosting your fertiliser mix.
Fish scraps and carrot peelings might not sound great, but they’re like gold dust for your lawn as they’re rich in phosphorus and break down easily. But if you want to turn your grass into the envy of the neighbourhood, don’t look further than your morning brew.
Coffee grounds are a prime source of nitrogen, which is crucial for lush grass growth. Andrew noted: “Coffee isn’t just my morning essential, it’s also great for my lawn.”
He recommends giving your green space a caffeine kick with this tip: “Nitrogen-rich coffee grounds can be sprinkled on the lawn or mixed with water (about half a pound of coffee grounds to five gallons of water) to create a nutrient-packed lawn tonic.”
It seems that the secret to a perfect lawn could lie in your kitchen waste, and finding the right mix might require a bit of experimentation.
All you need to do is save those kitchen leftovers, stir them into some water, leave them to stew properly, and then they’re ready to feed your lawn.
Before you sprinkle this homemade fertiliser onto your turf, make sure you’ve trimmed the grass a few days earlier and given it a drink, aiding its uptake of all the tasty nutrients.
Also, double-check the weather as you don’t want a downpour washing away all your hard work the moment you apply the fertiliser. Spritz the fertiliser back and forth across your lawn and follow through with gentle watering to get those nutrients bedded into the soil.
Make sure to keep an eye on your green space following the application, to prevent giving it too much or too little of any nutrient. You’ll soon be on course for a richer, more vibrant lawn.
Andrew urged: “Monitoring your lawn’s response is crucial for determining the effectiveness of your DIY fertiliser.”
He went on to add: “I always keep a close eye on grass growth and colour changes. Additionally, conducting a soil test before starting my fertilisation regime ensures that I’m not overdoing or underdoing certain nutrients.”
