Experts advise that now is the golden opportunity to arm your lawn with essential nutrients, setting you up for an enviable garden come autumn, with greener and thicker grass
As autumn approaches and September draws near, it’s the perfect time to give your grass some much-needed attention.
Garden experts believe now is the ideal time to feed your lawn vital nutrients, ensuring you’ll have a gorgeous outdoor space when the leaves start to turn. Andrew Huber from The Lawn Squad has revealed his top tips for boosting your greenery without breaking the bank.
“Fertiliser is not just about making your grass grow, it’s about nurturing a landscape that can withstand the tests of nature and time,” he explained. “A robust lawn is your first defence against pests, diseases, and environmental stresses.”
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He highlights the crucial role of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, and recommends transforming kitchen scraps into homemade plant food. The gardening guru said: “Turning kitchen scraps and yard waste into composted material is both eco-friendly and garden-smart. It’s an excellent way to reduce waste and benefit your lawn.”
Packed with potassium and phosphorus, banana skins work wonders for feeding your turf. Leftover fish bits and veggie peelings, like potato or carrot scraps, also contain plenty of phosphorus and break down naturally on grass, reports the Express.
Meanwhile, for a nitrogen hit, used coffee grounds are your best bet, helping to encourage thick, healthy growth. Andrew revealed his top tip: “Coffee isn’t just my morning essential, it’s also great for my lawn. Nitrogen-rich coffee grounds can be sprinkled on the lawn or mixed with water (about half a pound of coffee grounds to five gallons of water) to create a nutrient-packed lawn tonic.”
Discovering which kitchen leftovers work wonders for your lawn is a matter of trial and error. Once you’ve identified them, simply set them aside, steep them in water, and let them decompose before using the mixture to feed your grass.
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Before you spread this homemade fertiliser, trim your lawn a couple of days earlier and moisten it to boost nutrient uptake. Also, check the weather forecast to avoid any downpours that might wash away your hard work.
When it’s time to apply your home-brewed mix, Andrew suggests using a backpack sprayer to ensure it’s evenly distributed. After dousing your turf, lightly water it again to help the nutrients seep into the earth.
Keep a watchful eye on your lawn post-treatment to prevent any nutrient excess, aiming for a lusher, more verdant lawn swiftly. Andrew emphasised the need for careful observation, stating: “Monitoring your lawn’s response is crucial for determining the effectiveness of your DIY fertiliser.
“I always keep a close eye on grass growth and colour changes. Additionally, conducting a soil test before starting my fertilisation regime ensures that I’m not overdoing or underdoing certain nutrients.”
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