On the cool autumn days we prefer to make ourselves comfortable on the sofa, but there is still a lot to do in the garden. In addition to sowing vegetables and pruning some trees, lawn care is also an important task. Find out here why and how you should fertilize your lawn in autumn.
Fall is an important time for the garden, and knowing what tasks to do now can make a big difference next year. One of the best ways to ensure a dense, dark green and lush lawn free of moss and weeds next year is to fertilize properly. And now is the best time to do it, not in the spring. However, the aim is not to stimulate growth, but simply to prepare the grass for winter.
Fertilizing your lawn in autumn: What should you pay attention to?
After a summer of frequent mowing and extreme heat, the lawn deserves rest and relaxation. The cool temperatures in autumn allow us to properly care for it before the cold winter and prepare it for the cold season. Find out why the most important time to fertilize your lawn is in the fall and how to choose the best time to do it.
Why does fertilization in autumn make sense?
Fertilizing your lawn in the fall brings a number of benefits, the results of which you will continue to see next year and beyond. Autumn fertilization provides important nutrients and strengthens the roots so that the lawn survives the winterabout staying healthy andthrives when temperatures rise.
The fall dew provides moisture, which helps the lawn absorb fertilizer better. In fact, fall fertilization is one of the most important ways to maintain a green, thick lawn.
When is the best time for this?
The lawn should be fertilized in the fall between October and early November, but the best time depends on the weather conditions. When it comes to the best time of day, it is the morning or early evening to avoid the warm daytime temperatures that negatively affect the fertilizer.
Schedule fertilization when the grass has stopped growing but also has enough time to extract all the nutrients before it enters dormancy. Fertilize the lawn immediately after the last mowing of the season, 2-3 weeks before the ground freezes.
Make sure the grass is dry and it is best to fertilize it just before rain so that the fertilizer can penetrate the soil more easily. But avoid heavy rain, which can wash away the fertilizer. If it doesn't rain within 48 hours of fertilizing, you should water it yourself.
Which fertilizer for lawns in autumn?
In autumn the soil needs different nutrients than in summer. Choose a slow-release fertilizer with a higher potassium content as it provides better resistance and protects the lawn from frost and disease.
A high-quality autumn fertilizer also requires other nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus to promote root development and strengthen the plant cells. However, avoid fertilizers with a higher nitrogen content, which are ideal for fertilizing in spring as they stimulate growth.
Use a high potassium NPK fertilizer,a mineral fertilizer such as blue grainor if you prefer natural alternatives, let your lawn benefit from the benefits of organic care.
Use banana peels
Banana peels contain a lot of potassium and are therefore perfect for fertilizing the lawn in autumn. Simply shred them and mix them into the compost to increase its potassium content. Then spread the finished, finely sifted compost onto the lawn. Another option is to simply sprinkle the shredded banana peels on the lawn to promote root development and disease resistance.
Fertilize lawns in autumn: with plant manure
For the lawn in autumn you should only use fertilizers with a high potassium content. A natural option for this are some plant manures that you can prepare yourself. Plants that contain a lot of potassium include bracken, comfrey and dandelion.
Use 1-2 kg of bracken or dandelion leaves or 4-5 kg of comfrey leaves to make a manure. Let them ferment in 10 liters of water for 2 weeks, then strain the liquid and water the lawn with the manure, diluting it in a 1:5 ratio.
Use coffee grounds as fertilizer
Coffee grounds have been around for a long timeas fertilizer for various plantsused. It contains important nutrients such as potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus, which are slowly broken down. This allows the turf to have more time to absorb it.
Simply mix 100 g of coffee grounds with 10 l of water and spray the lawn in autumn. You can also sprinkle the coffee grounds on the lawn and then rake them into the ground.
