Pre-Spring Lawn Care

Springtime marks the beginning of the growing season for grass in the UK. Warmer temperatures and increased daylight hours stimulate the grass to enter a phase of active growth, producing new shoots, leaves, and roots. Fertilising your turf during its active growth phase provides essential nutrients that support vigorous growth, resulting in a lush and healthy lawn.

In this guide, we’ll explore the importance of early fertilisation and explain what to look for when choosing the perfect fertiliser to kickstart your lawn’s growth.

The Importance of Early Fertilisation

Healthy lawns start with nutrient-rich soil. Your lawn uses its roots to access nutrients from the soil, which it uses to produce lush, dense, and healthy grass.

During the winter months, the growth and activity of your lawn experiences various changes in response to weather conditions and climates. Shorter daylight hours and colder temperatures cause your lawn to enter winter dormancy, a natural survival mechanism designed to conserve energy. During this time, the growth rate slows significantly, and minimal new shoot and leaf development exists.

As temperatures rise in early Spring, grass begins to emerge from dormancy. Increased sunlight and warmer temperatures stimulate new shoots and leaf development.

Spring is a crucial time for lawn care because it marks the beginning of the grass-growing season. Fertilising your lawn in Spring helps the grass recover from dormancy, promoting the development of new shoots and leaves.

Reasons to Fertilise Your Lawn

• Promotes Healthy Growth: Fertilisation provides essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are crucial for the growth and development of grass. These nutrients support the formation of chlorophyll, cell division, and overall plant metabolism, stimulating the growth of new shoots, leaves, and stems.
• Weed Prevention: While lawn fertilisation doesn’t directly prevent weeds, it is crucial in promoting a healthy and dense turf, which indirectly helps suppress and inhibit weed growth.
• Enhanced Visual Appeal: Fertilisation plays a crucial role in contributing to an attractive-looking lawn by providing essential nutrients that support the grass’s overall health, growth, and appearance. A healthy, well-fed lawn tends to be denser and more lush, creating a thicker carpet of grass that looks more attractive.
• Stress Resistance and Recovery: Fertilisation helps improve the lawn’s resistance to stress factors such as foot traffic, heat, and drought. A well-fertilised lawn is better equipped to withstand challenging conditions, and the nutrients provided by fertilisation aid in regenerating damaged or stressed grass.
• Improved Lawn Health: Regular fertilisation helps prevent nutrient deficiencies, which can lead to issues such as yellowing of the grass, stunted growth, and increased susceptibility to diseases and pests. A well-nourished lawn is more likely to resist stressors and recover quickly from environmental challenges.

What To Look for In Your Fertiliser

Like all plants, lawns require essential nutrients for growth and development. Fertilisers supply these nutrients to the soil, ensuring the grass has access to the elements necessary for its metabolic processes. These nutrients are often represented by the three numbers on fertiliser bags, indicating the ratio of N-P-K:

• Nitrogen (N): Nitrogen encourages the development of leaves and stems, contributing to a thick, lush, and healthy lawn.
• Phosphorus (P): Phosphorus supports the growth of a solid and extensive root system, which enhances the plant’s ability to access water and nutrients from the soil, promoting lawn density.
• Potassium (K): Potassium is essential for overall plant health and stress resistance, enhancing its ability to resist diseases and drought.

A well-balanced fertiliser containing these nutrients will provide comprehensive care for your lawn during early Springtime.

Choosing Your Fertiliser

When selecting fertiliser for your lawn, opt for slow-release, granular fertilisers that provide a gradual, consistent release of nutrients over an extended period. Granular fertilisers help prevent the risk of nutrient runoff and ensure a steady supply of nourishment to the grass, promoting sustained growth throughout the season.

Formulated with a high nitrogen content, our Envy Spring/Summer Fertiliser is a slow-releasing pellet formula designed to provide a steady stream of nutrients during the Spring and Summer months.

By fertilising your lawn in early Springtime, you set the foundation for a healthy, vibrant, and resilient lawn you can enjoy throughout the growing season.