Fertilising lawns is important for healthy grass and it will also encourage root development to help it resist frost damage, and there is one natural item that will give it a boost
Many green-fingered enthusiasts may believe that lawns require little upkeep now that autumn has arrived, but before you stowput away the mower for the remainder of the year, make sure you nourish it with the correct fertiliser.
It’s important to feed your lawn in October to help ready the grass for the harsh winter weather, and providing the right nutrients now will guarantee it remains vibrant and robust for the coming year.
Mary Hunt, a frugality expert and founder of Everyday Cheapskate, has revealed a straightforward method to achieve a healthier lawn without emptying your wallet.
She said: “I love a beautiful yard, but I hate spending a lot of money to get it that way, which explains why I am always looking for cheap do-it-yourself ways to kill weeds, grow flowers, and feed lawns.”
The secret to giving lawns a lift is to blend your fertiliser with Epsom salt, a natural mineral which enhances protein formation in plants and also promotes strong root growth, reports the Express.
Epsom salt is typically used as a bath soak but it contains a significant amount of nutrient magnesium, an essential element needed for plants to absorb sunlight and generate energy.
Scattering Epsom salt into your lawn fertiliser will aid grass in conducting photosynthesis more efficiently so it can absorb more nutrients before it enters dormancy in winter.
This will stimulate roots to grow stronger so you have more resilient grass that will bounce back swiftly once spring arrives, resulting in lusher and greener grass next year.
How to use Epsom salt as a homemade lawn fertiliser
Epsom salt should be used as a supplement and is not a replacement for fertiliser as lawns still need a high amount of the nutrient potassium to withstand the frost and fight against disease.
Make sure to buy a fertiliser high in potassium but low in nitrogen, as this nutrient promotes grass growth, but you want the lawn to focus on becoming hardy with strong roots for winter rather not new growth that will be vulnerable to cold damage.
Once you have bought the fertiliser, all you need to do is mix the Epsom salt in and spread it across your lawn.
Mary explained: “Mix four pounds of magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) in a giant bin or bucket with a bag of your favourite lawn food that covers 2,500 sq. ft. Now feed your lawn the same amount of this mixture as recommended on the lawn food bag.
“You’ll save a lot of money because you’ll be using only half the normal amount of fertiliser. Plus, this formulation cuts down on the nitrogen which makes your lawn grow so fast.”
The perfect moment to fertilise your lawn is a few weeks before the ground freezes, which falls between late September and mid-October depending on where you live in the UK.
Having Epsom salt in your lawn will mean you will have a much greener, lusher and healthier grass once spring arrives.
Mary added: “You’ll have the wonderful deep-green colour, better root structure, and you won’t have to mow as often.”