So here’e the structure of this article. If you want to just jump to the section that intrigues you most, go ahead. However, if the health of your lawn needs a bit more help than just a bi-annual feed application, you will probably want to choose a product without weed-killing properties. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for the recommended application rate. Over-applying fertilizer will scorch or “burn” the grass because of the salts in the product. Make sure the lawn isn’t dried out and tired. Applying weed killer at this point could actually do more harm than good. Again, this will be your team of 1 star reviewers missing the correct plan. Ensure the lawn is not dry prior to spreading. Hopefully you’ll get a lovely steady bit of rain and you can time this, otherwise, you can use a garden sprinkler if you don’t have a hosepipe ban. I certainly hope not in May anyway!! When applied on newly germinated seed, this fertiliser can really boost growth, able to help with reseeding bare patches as well as improve the general overall health of the garden.

Be aware that artificial fertilisers take a lot of energy to manufacture and may have detrimental effects on the environment, so only apply if specifically needed and use the minimum amount to keep your grass in good shape – see our guide to using fertilisersand our guide to organic gardening. You’ll get the best results from scarifying a few days before but otherwise this will give you great looking lawn improvements in two weeks. A lot of people won’t use any other product after using liquid Vitax. That says plenty about this handy liquid version. Apply liquid formulas early in the morning, or in the evening. If it gets too hot then the formula will evaporate before it’s had time to be absorbed.

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Having a soluble formula also means that there is less likelihood of scorching – this happens when a high concentration of product is applied to one place and burns it and is more common with granules. Top dressing is the next step after aerating. Itinvolves applying a mixof loam, sand and well-rotted organic mattertofill the aeration holes. It’s particularly useful on heavy soil, as it willimprove the soil’s texture and drainage, which should encourage better rooting and denser grass.

Try not to be overzealous if you apply by hand or similar. You’ll end up with brown patches if you over apply the mix. This is why I prefer a spreader so much more so it’s bulletproof. Most lawns will recover well after summer’s wear and tear or drought without any feeding, and will be a rich green carpet againby the following year. But if your lawn is in need of a boost, you can apply an autumn lawn feed – just make sure it’s specifically formulated for autumn application. Autumn lawn feedencourages root growth through winter, rather than leafy growth.So today, we’ll teach you all about when to apply weed and feed and how to do it properly. What Is Weed and Feed and What Types Are There? With most products, you want to apply weed and feed to your yard in the spring after the weeds start popping up. If the spring application doesn’t remove all the weeds, and you think you must apply it again, wait until fall to apply a second dose. It uses SmartWater technology that’ll help your grass absorb and hold onto as much of the available water as possible. Naturally, in a drought or hot summer cycle, this will considerably improve your chances of holding a lush green grass. Two of the most commonly used herbicides, 2,4-D and Atrazine, have been linked to numerous health and environmental problems. 2,4-D is a hormone-disrupting chemical that can cause cancer, birth defects, and developmental issues in children. Atrazine is a highly toxic herbicide that can contaminate drinking water, cause birth defects, and harm wildlife. Be aware of the potential dangers of chemical-based weed and feed products and opt for natural or organic alternatives that are safe and effective whenever possible. FAQs If you have a large garden the 20kg bag is a great buy and on par with EverGreen 400sqm Complete 4-in-1 Lawn Care for value. I still prefer the Evergreen though.

There are a few benefits of buying a lawn feed with a built-in spreader: you have everything you need for application within the product itself, which helps you save money if you just want to fertilise your lawn on a one-off basis, and the spreader has been specifically designed for the product, so you shouldn’t have issues with the distribution. Weed and feed comes in two forms: liquid and granular. Although the liquid forms are easier to apply and provide faster results, using the granular form is more economical. Weed killer spray or liquid weed and feed is designed for small yards. Granular weed and feed covers more area, often 5,000 square feet or more, and is available in 18-lb bags and larger. Granular versions offer a better value, but users do need to water their lawns after application for it to penetrate the grass. Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement. Measure your lawn: It’s good to know which part of the yard you want to fertilize with weed n feed product. This fact is also useful when you calculate the quantity of fertilizer that is allowed to spread.Apply evenly over the marked area with the spreader, by hand or wheeled spreader. Find your spreader settings here. Your lawn may look a bit patchy and rough afterwards, but don’t worry, it will soon recover and in the longer term will look and grow better as a result Apply weed & feed no more than twice a year. Over-application increases the potential for fertilizer components to run off into nearby waterways, threatening fish and plants. With the lawn cut take out your scarifier. I like to use a scarifier and lawn raker. My preference is the Bosch lawn raker and scarifier. Some prefer to go with a lawn scarifier and aerator in one. In that situation I would use the Einhell scarifier and aerator as it’s my favourite choice at the moment. Children and pets should be kept off the area until the granules have been watered in; a process that can be sped up by actively watering the garden instead of waiting for rainfall. However, to save water and time, this lawn feed can be applied when rain is imminent, allowing nature to take care of the after-care treatment.

The 6% phosphorus and 8% potassium provide the ideal blend for strengthening grass roots, enhancing your lawn’s stress tolerance, and encouraging protein synthesis (crucial for building and repairing tissues) – all of which support a healthy lawn over the cooler seasons. The 4% iron should also deal with light moss and make it easy to remove with raking. It’s important to apply weedkillers carefully and only when absolutely necessary, in a minimal and targeted way. Also bear in mind that some chemicals could potentiallycontaminate the lawn clippings following application, so they may not be suitable for composting – see Frequently asked questions, below. A granular fertiliser for lawns usually has an application rate of 35 grams per square metre (g/m²), while a liquid feed usually has specific instructions for dilution and application on the bottle.

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It’s essential to use the right amount of fertiliser for your lawn size. Use too little, and you probably won’t make much of a difference to your grass health. Use too much, and you risk burning your lawn. Well, that’s what lawn feed can do. Of course, there are some products which are just lawn food, and some which will also deal with weeds and/or moss. It’s up to you to choose which is most appropriate for your situation. But whatever you go with, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. Value for Money Lawn grass can suffer substantially during the winter months, so it’s worth employing the advice of the well-known saying – the best form of defence is a good offense.