Feeding Your Roll-on Lawn Through The First Year

Roll-on lawns are a very convenient way of greening-up your outside space quickly and with minimum fuss.  However, you will need to feed your new lawn correctly during its first year to ensure healthy growth and lush, green grass.  Here's a helpful guide to feeding your new roll-on lawn.

Why feed your lawn?

Feeding your lawn is important for the growth of healthy grass plants.  All proprietary grass feeds contain the same basic constituents; although, the ratio of each varies, depending on the time of year the feed is intended for.

The nitrogen contained in grass feed encourages strong, dense growth, which helps to prevent weeds from coming through.  Phosphorus is important for the development of strong root systems, and potassium gives the plants resistance to disease, climatic variations, and general wear and tear.  Feeds that contain magnesium promote chlorophyll production, which gives the grass a vibrant green colour.

Feeding your new lawn through the year

Spring

You should feed your new lawn once in the spring when the weather begins to warm up.  Before feeding, rake the lawn to get rid of any moss and thatch and to aerate it.  Choose a feed containing a lot of nitrogen to support the growth of the grass plants above ground.

Summer

It's very important that you feed your lawn during the summer.  Choose a feed that does not contain sand or iron, as this can cause scorching.  Use a granular feed and water it in well, especially if there is no rain forecast.  Unless your lawn is in very heavy use during the summer months, you should only need to feed it once.

Autumn

For an autumn feed, choose a product that contains plenty of phosphates and potassium to promote a strong root system that will see the lawn through the cooler months.  Feed your lawn at the beginning of the autumn, when the weather begins to cool down.

Winter

Although the grass plants are 'resting' over the winter, it's still important that you feed them.  Feeding your lawn during the winter will help the plants to resist disease and to cope with the colder weather, preparing them for a burst of fresh growth when the spring arrives.  It's a good idea to feed your lawn before the first frost and then again once the ground has thawed out and the fertiliser is able to penetrate the ground more easily.

In conclusion

It's important that you feed your new roll-on lawn throughout the year to keep it growing well and looking good.  For more advice and information on keeping your roll-on grass in tip-top condition, have a chat with your supplier or ask for help in choosing lawn feed at your local garden centre.

Share