Grass, like any other plant, thrives when provided with the right nutrients at the right time. Seasonal fertilisation plays a crucial role in ensuring healthy growth, strengthening roots, and preventing common lawn issues such as weeds, moss, and patchiness.
A structured approach to lawn feeding, such as using professional-grade lawn care products, can simplify the process and ensure that your lawn gets exactly what it needs across spring, summer, and autumn.
Overseeding vs. Feeding: What’s the Difference?
Overseeding and feeding are both essential lawn care practices, but they serve different purposes. While feeding provides nutrients to support existing grass growth, overseeding introduces new grass seed to improve lawn density and repair thinning areas. Buying from a reputable UK grass seed retailer, such as The Relentless Gardener will increase your chances of germination success too.
For a thick, lush lawn, both practices should be used together. Feeding strengthens the grass, while overseeding ensures a fuller, healthier turf by introducing fresh growth.
Lawn Feeding
Feeding involves applying fertiliser to supply essential nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). A well-fed lawn grows thicker, greener, and more resilient against weeds, diseases, and harsh weather conditions. Seasonal fertilisation ensures that the grass receives the right balance of nutrients at different times of the year—boosting growth in spring, strengthening drought resistance in summer, and preparing the lawn for winter in autumn.
Overseeding
Overseeding, on the other hand, is the process of sowing new grass seed over an existing lawn to improve density and fill in bare patches. This is particularly beneficial for older lawns that have become thin or patchy due to wear, disease, or harsh weather. Overseeding is best done in early autumn or spring when soil temperatures are warm enough for seed germination.
Why Lawn Fertilisation Matters
A well-fed lawn is more resistant to environmental stress, including drought, frost, and heavy foot traffic. Fertilisation supports robust root development, enhances colour, and helps the grass outcompete weeds and moss. Without adequate nutrition, lawns may become weak, leading to thinning, yellowing, and increased vulnerability to disease.
Lawn fertilisers typically contain three primary nutrients:
- Nitrogen (N) – Encourages leafy, green growth.
- Phosphorus (P) – Supports strong root development.
- Potassium (K) – Enhances disease resistance and improves drought tolerance.
Applying the right balance of these nutrients at different times of the year ensures optimal lawn health.
Spring Lawn Feeding (March – May)
Spring is a critical time for lawn care, as grass begins to emerge from winter dormancy. After months of cold temperatures and limited growth, lawns require a nutrient boost to stimulate fresh, green blades and strengthen roots.
A spring lawn feed is typically high in nitrogen, which promotes lush top growth. It also contains potassium to improve resilience. Applying a granular fertiliser early in the season helps the lawn establish strong foundations for the months ahead. If weeds are an issue, a combined weed-and-feed product may be beneficial at this stage.
For best results, apply fertiliser when soil temperatures reach around 10°C, ensuring steady absorption. Regular mowing, at a height of around 3–4 cm, will also help keep the grass in good condition.
Summer Lawn Feeding (June – August)
During summer, lawns often experience periods of drought and high foot traffic, leading to stress and potential discolouration. A summer fertiliser is typically lower in nitrogen to prevent excessive growth, focusing instead on potassium to enhance drought tolerance and disease resistance.
Applying a controlled-release fertiliser helps maintain steady growth without forcing the lawn to become overly dependent on moisture. If dry conditions persist, watering deeply once or twice a week is preferable to frequent shallow watering, which can weaken roots.
In addition to fertilisation, spot-treating weeds and aerating compacted soil can improve lawn health during the warmer months.
Autumn Lawn Feeding (September – November)
As temperatures cool, lawn growth slows, and grass begins preparing for winter. An autumn fertiliser is designed to strengthen roots rather than encourage top growth. It contains a higher proportion of potassium and phosphorus while reducing nitrogen content.
Applying a fertiliser in early autumn helps repair summer damage, thickens the turf, and enhances resilience against frost. Aeration and overseeding can also be beneficial at this time, filling in thin areas and ensuring a denser lawn come spring.
A Year-Round Lawn Care Strategy
Using a three-season fertiliser kit ensures that your lawn receives the correct nutrients throughout the year. By following a structured feeding schedule, combined with regular mowing, watering, and aeration, you can maintain a healthy, vibrant lawn that withstands seasonal challenges.
*Collaborative post
I think looking after your lawn is so much better than the plastic grass you get everywhere these days!
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