Most people know what kind of lawns they want to have. The green, plush, squishy-under-foot type, right? Wanting them and knowing how to get them are two different things. However, with a little bit of knowledge, and maybe even a helping hand from lawn care experts, you can have those gorgeous green lawns you’ve been dreaming of.

Read on to learn the type of fertiliser you need in your lawn and garden. The whole process is easier than you might think!

Time for testing

Before you purchase any random type of garden and lawn fertiliser and hope for the best, it’s crucial to establish what you need to achieve. Why does your yard not look at its best right now? Grass can’t talk, and while it would be helpful if it did, there are other ways to work out why it’s so sad. Primarily, a soil test. 

A soil test can work out what your lawn is lacking so that you can give it more of what it needs. You might be mowing, gardening, and doing everything else right, but you can’t achieve healthy grass growth when your soil is not at its best.

A soil test measures the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels of your lawn, which are displayed as N-P-K.

Nitrogen is responsible for your garden and lawn’s growth and colour, phosphorus for root and flower growth, and potassium for a plant’s ability to make use of the nitrogen. Not enough of all three, or even one, can result in a pretty sad-looking lawn!

Once you carry out the soil test, you can then match the results to a fertiliser that will provide the best results for your unique situation. 

What fertiliser types are there?

Some people see that their lawn looks miserable, then pop along to their local garden store to find the magic cure. Once they see shelf after shelf of options, they quickly realise that there’s no single product to make everything all better. There are many. To throw a spanner in the works, some of those products can kill your lawn, and others can make it thrive. It’s like playing Russian Roulette with your back yard.

Let’s first separate the fertiliser types into two varieties: organic and synthetic. Organic fertiliser comes from once-living organisms and their byproducts. They are safe for use around animals and children and can make a homeowner feel far better about their use.

The other option is synthetic fertilisers. These are chemical-based and work fast to make your lawns appear far greener and more vibrant.

You can then further break down those two varieties into granular and liquid/water-soluble fertilisers. Granular fertilisers can be slow-release or time-release, and they are fast and easy for people to apply themselves. However, you can still call in lawn mowing and gardening businesses to take care of the process for you.

Liquid fertilisers are easy to apply with a hose and allow nutrients to quickly enter the grass with minimal effort and hassle.

What about more natural options?

It can be quite tricky trying to find a fertiliser that works for your property, particularly if you haven’t previously paid much attention to how it all works. If you lack the time or inclination to read labels, or even pick up the phone to call in the lawn care experts, then what else can you do? Do less than what you’re doing now. 

Believe it or not, by not picking up your lawn clippings or raking the leaves after heavy winds, you could be doing your lawn a world of good. Make sure the clippings are spread evenly after a short cut. The less there are, the quicker the time it will take for them to compost and add nutrients into your lawn.

The leaves and clippings add both carbon and nitrogen, and your lawn will thank you for it. The best part is, this process doesn’t cost you a cent. 

How to tell if your lawn or garden needs fertiliser

Unless you spend a lot of time outside, you probably don’t notice whether your lawns and gardens are at their best or not. However, upon closer inspection, it’s easier than you might think. Lawns that require fertiliser are probably pale and with a yellow tinge. If you notice a brown lawn, then it’s more likely to be a fungus problem, rather than a lack of nutrients.

And what about the gardens? If your gardens aren’t producing the growth you would have liked or expected, then there’s every reason to believe they are not getting enough nutrients. Once again, purchase a soil test and establish what’s missing before you act.

Fuss-free fertilisation

Fertiliser application is a lot easier than you might think. Still, a lack of knowledge or willpower can see it fall by the wayside. If your lawns and gardens are looking dismal at best, then why not call in the big guns? Look for lawn care and garden experts near you to have your grounds looking in tip-top shape once more.