May 16th, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

Choosing the right fertiliser and creating a fertiliser routine can be quick and tricky – there are so many aspects to consider and there is no one correct answer for all gardens since every garden is different. In this blog, we will discuss the different aspects that can affect your garden care routine from soil types, and plant types to climate as well as some tips for deciding how often you should use fertiliser and what products are the best for you and your garden.

Soil Types

One of the first things to consider when tailoring your fertilising routine is what kind of soil you have, this is probably one of the most important things to consider as it can have such a large impact on how your garden grows and what nutrients it provides and this will impact largely on the kind of fertiliser you need to use and how often you need to water your lawn. If you are not sure what soil type you have this can usually be dedicated to the texture, or alternatively, you can purchase a soil testing kit. These will reveal all kinds of important information about your soil such as its nutrient content, pH, and other properties – Let’s take a quick look at the different soil types you may find in your garden.

Clay Soils

This heavy soil type is incredibly hard to work with, especially for first-time gardeners. This is because they hold a high quantity of water and drain very slowly which can lead to drainage issues and waterlogging, on the other hand, in periods of warm weather with lots of sunshine this soil type bakes hard. These issues are due to the fact this kind of soil is made up of over 25% Clay. Don’t worry too much if this is your soil type as even though it is tricky to get to grips with once you do it can be very rewarding as clay soil tends to be very fertile and nutrient-rich.

To take care of clay soil you should water it very slowly this way you can prevent over-watering which can lead to puddles and drainage issues, it is also advisable to dig in organic matter such as composted bark as this will help to break up the clay making it easier for water and nutrient to reach the root of plants.

Sandy soils

Sandy soils are very light in nature and are often low in nutrients so need a little more TLC in order to help them nurture grass, so you may find that with this soil type, you may require more heavy-duty slow-release fertilisers to ensure your plants can get all the nutrients it needs in order to grow strong and establish healthy roots over a longer period of time. One of the biggest problems with sandy soil is that water passes through very quickly this means your lawn can and plants can be more susceptible to drought during warm weather. This is why it is recommended to water sandy soil more frequently. You can also balance out the loose particles by digging organic matter into your soil so that water and nutrients do not pass through as quickly.

Silt soils

Silt soils are very similar in texture to sandy soil as they consist of fine particles that are prone to washing away and wind erosion where exposed (For example in borders and flower beds) Fortunately this soil type is able to hold nutrients and water better than sandy soils so does not require as frequent watering however slow release nutrients and organic matter are also recommended for this soil type.

Loam Soils

This soil type is largely considered the holy grail and is a gardener’s dream come true as it is the perfect balance of all soil types meaning it holds water and nutrients well and is very fertile when correctly taken care of. So, if you are fortunate enough to have this soil type, you will find fertilising and watering your lawn much easier. Loamy soil should be watered once a week (adjusting as needed) and maintained in its condition with the use of organic matter.

Growth Stage

Another important aspect to consider when planning your fertiliser schedule is the growth stage as grass and plants alike require different amounts of nutrients depending on what stage they are in their growth cycle. For example, during the spring period plants will require nutrients with higher Nitrogen content, while newer lawns will require increased Phosphorous as this encourages strong root growth which is important for ensuring that plants and grass are able to absorb all the nutrients that they need weak roots means a lack of nutrients which will ultimately resort in poor growth and discolouration.  So, it is important to adjust which fertiliser you use depending on what stage of growth your lawn is currently at.

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Climate

Climate can also have a large impact on both fertilising and watering your lawn, as weather conditions greatly affect both your soil, your lawn and how products work. For example, during periods of consistent heavy rainfall, then watering your lawn is not required as frequently, it is also not advisable to use liquid fertiliser during this time as it runs the risk of washing the product away on the other hand, granules are a good choice during rainfall as they often need plenty of water to work efficiently.  Conversely during periods of extremely hot weather when fertilising your lawn, you will be required to water more frequently as some products when left in the sun without sufficient water can lead to scorching and discolouration, so once again it is important to understand that you will need to adjust schedule as needed depending on the season and the weather.

What Are Your Lawns Needs?

Perhaps the most important aspect to consider when creating a fertilising schedule and choosing the right products is your lawn’s specific needs, if your lawn is nitrogen deficient then using a fertiliser with high potassium content will not resolve this issue. So, you should take time and research thoroughly to diagnose the main issue with your lawn and choose a fertiliser that has adequate NPK levels. Choosing a fertiliser at random because it sounds good is not the best approach you need to ensure you are providing the right nutrients, just as humans have to eat the right foods when they are vitamin deficient.

So, there we have some of the most important factors to consider when creating your fertiliser schedule and choosing the right products. Unfortunately, there is no fix-all product and each lawn is different and subject to change. So, you have to remember to approach your lawn care with flexibility. We hope this blog was able to shed some light on the different factors that can impact how often you need to use lawn fertiliser and choose the right fertilisers to use.