Autumn is a crucial period for gardens, marking the shift from the warmth of summer to the chillier days ahead, so making sure your plants are ready for change is a key task.
Lawn expert Ben Agnew at Lawnsmith shared some insights into the importance of fertilising properly ahead of winter so plants grow stronger and denser in following months.
He said: “Feeding your lawn correctly can help strengthen it for the winter ahead and set a solid foundation for the spring.
“Fertiliser prepares your lawn for the cold weather and helps strengthen the grassroots, making it more resistant to frost and disease. It also encourages healthier, denser growth in the spring.”
Feeding is equally important when sowing new seeds, a common task for gardeners looking to mend bare spots or establish a new lawn this season.
“A fertiliser will support new growth but you need a balanced feed. For newly sown or overseeded lawns, use a feed that is high in phosphorus to support root development,” advised the expert.
“Nitrogen is usually in spring and summer feeds but adding a moderate level to an overseeding lawn will promote steady growth.”
For established lawns, it’s vital to guard them against winter’s cold. A fertiliser low in nitrogen but high in potassium helps fortify the roots without promoting excessive top growth.
Iron supplements can enhance grass colour and strengthen resistance to fungal diseases and moss during damp conditions. Phosphate is also important for supporting root development.
Make sure to apply your autumn fertiliser well before the first frost to ensure it takes effect, and to ensure even application, distribute the fertiliser uniformly to prevent over-fertilising some areas while neglecting others.
Agnew suggested: “You could visually break your lawn down into a checkerboard, using items to mark it out if you need to. Start spreading fertiliser evenly as you move in one direction from one side of your lawn to the other.
“Then change direction. So if you moved horizontally in rows before, now go vertically across your lawn while applying a feed.
“As you move in rows, back and forth, you will be crossing over the same areas multiple times so everywhere should be covered by the time you’re done. As you’ll revisit areas, avoid using too much feed at once as you don’t want to over-fertilise.”
