Fertilising Your Lawn: When, How and Which Fertiliser
Fertilising is one of the simplest and cheapest ways to get a great looking lawn. It only takes a few minutes, and the difference shows within days.
Why fertilise?
Every time you mow, your lawn loses nutrients, and rain and watering wash more away. Over time your lawn loses colour, thins out and becomes more open to weeds and disease. Regular fertilising restores colour, strengthens roots, thickens your lawn so weeds have less room to grow, and helps it handle the stress of summer heat and winter cold.
When to fertilise
Fertilise at least four times a year: twice in spring and twice in autumn. These feeds prepare your lawn for the two toughest seasons, summer and winter.
- Early Spring (around September): Wakes your lawn up after winter and fuels fresh growth.
- Late Spring (around November): Builds strength before summer heat and dry conditions.
- Early Autumn (around March): Helps your lawn recover from summer stress.
- Late Autumn (around May): Prepares your lawn to hold its colour through winter.
Warm-season lawns (Buffalo, Couch, Kikuyu, Zoysia) benefit from a spring feed as they head into their most active growing season, and an autumn feed to strengthen them before temperatures drop in winter.
Cool-season lawns (Ryegrass, Fescue, Bentgrass, Kentucky Bluegrass) benefit from an autumn feed as they head into their most active growing season, and a spring feed to strengthen them before the heat and dry conditions of summer.
Live somewhere warmer? In Queensland, northern NSW and the NT, lawns keep growing through winter and can benefit from extra feeds. A simple rule for any state: if you're still mowing regularly, your lawn is still growing and can use a feed.
How to fertilise
- Start with a dry lawn. Mowing a day or two beforehand is ideal.
- Spread evenly. An Earthway fertiliser spreader is the best method, giving an even application with less risk of burning. See our range of Earthway Spreaders here.
- Apply in two directions. Divide your fertiliser in half. Spread the first half walking up and down the lawn, and the second half walking across it. This avoids stripes and missed patches.
- Sweep hard surfaces. Brush any granules off paths, driveways and patios back onto the lawn. This is especially important with iron fertilisers, which can stain.
- Water in straight away. Use around 4mm of water, or enough to wash the granules off the leaves and down into the thatch. This gets the nutrients to the roots and prevents burning.
- Wait 24 to 48 hours before mowing.
Which Fertiliser to Use?
All Seasons Fertiliser N:P:K 22.5.7 For everyday feeding of established lawns. Use 3kgs per 100sqm. An application will last around 4-6 weeks.
Super Green Controlled Release Fertiliser N:P:K 22:3:4 For use when frequent rain or watering strips nutrients through the soil. It will provide a steady release of nitrogen over an extended period. Use 3kgs per 100sqm.
Nitro Green Iron Boost Fertiliser (N:P:K 20:0.87:2:5) For added iron. Use 2.4kgs per 100sqm. Be careful to sweep off all hard surfaces before irrigating as this product can stain.
Nitro Green Iron Boost Liquid Fertiliser provides a rapid and impressive green up within 5-7 days and is ideal for special events where dark green turf is required.
Landscape Range KickStart Fertiliser (N:P:K 5:6:6) A Starter Fertiliser is essential when establishing a new lawn from seed, oversowing your existing lawn or getting your instant turf off to a good start.
How Much Fertiliser For My Lawn?
|
Lawn Size |
Per Feed |
Per Year |
|
50m² |
1.5kg |
6kg |
|
100m² |
3kg |
12kg |
|
200m² |
6kg |
24kg |
|
300m² |
9kg |
36kg |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to fertilise if my lawn already looks green?
Yes. Regular feeding keeps it that way. By the time a lawn looks pale or thin, it may have been short of nutrients for some time.
Can I apply fertiliser by hand?
Yes, but a spreader is easier and much more even. If spreading by hand, wear gloves and apply in two directions.
Can I fertilise in summer?
Yes, but avoid applying during heatwaves or when your lawn is drought stressed. Use a controlled release fertiliser, and always water in well. Do not fertilise in temperatures over 30 degrees celsius.
Is fertiliser safe for kids and pets?
Once it's watered in well (granular) and the lawn has dried, it's safe to use the lawn again. Keep kids and pets off while you're applying, and check the SDS on each product page.