Keeping on top of lawn maintenance is one of the most important gardening jobs in autumn to make sure grass does not become brittle or disease-ridden once the weather gets colder.
As we head into October one vital job is to fertilise lawns to help grass develop a strong root system so it will be able to absorb essential nutrients to withstand the harsh winter environment.
Kellie, a gardening expert from the Sustainable Living Association has shared that a great way to feed lawns naturally and without breaking the bank is to use a homemade fertiliser made out of Epsom salts.
She said: “Have you heard that Epsom salts are some of the best DIY autumn lawn fertilisers? They contain sulfur and magnesium, both of which are compounds that grass and many other plants favour.
“These are some of the many benefits of using Epsom salts as best lawn fertiliser and it’s no wonder people have been using these salts for many years.”
Why use Epsom salts as a homemade feed for your lawn?
Epsom salts are a mineral often used in bath soaks for relaxation and is also a natural skincare product as it can gently exfoliate the skin to remove dead skin cells.
However, Epsom salts are also highly effective to use in the garden since they contain the nutrients magnesium and sulfur which are essential for plant growth.
Magnesium is essential for photosynthesis and will enhance a plant’s ability to store energy while also improving its nutrient intake so it can survive throughout the winter.
A lack of magnesium will cause the grass to become yellow, patchy, and thin, but Epsom salts are a quick way to correct any nutrient deficiencies in the soil to help keep the grass stay healthy even as the weather gets colder.
A lawn that has been fed magnesium before winter will be less likely to suffer from cold damage and will have plenty of energy stored away to produce thicker grass once spring arrives.
How to apply Epsom salts to the lawn in autumn
A simple way to make a homemade fertiliser is to apply one tablespoon of Epsom salts to a container filled with a gallon of water, then simply pour the solution evenly onto your lawn.
The best time to apply Epsom salts is when the grass is still actively growing in early October so the lawn has more time to absorb nutrients before winter.
In autumn one application of Epson salt is usually enough to help a lawn stay healthy as there is no point fertilising the grass once the first frost arrives.
Grass will enter dormancy once the temperature drops to a certain level and fertiliser will be ineffective as the lawn will not be able to actively absorb nutrients.
However, if the lawn is yellowing or patchy after a harsh summer then you can do a second application in late October or early November four weeks after the first dose of the homemade solution.
Taking the time to feed a lawn properly now helps it stay strong throughout winter so you will have much lusher, greener and thicker grass during the next growing period in 2025.
