How to fertilise your lawn this summer

Before spreading fertiliser, inspect your lawn to avoid encouraging more weeds. A daisy grubber is the ideal tool for removing weeds as it extracts the plant with its taproots intact – which helps to prevent regrowth. Once the weeds have been extracted, it’s time to add nourishment.

• A potassium-rich fertiliser is important during the summer as it supports the grass in managing the effects of intense heat. 

• A slow-release fertiliser will help to protect your grass because there is less chance of damage if too much is applied.

• Rather than using the whole seasonal dose at once, divide your fertiliser into three equal amounts. 

• Splitting the fertiliser into three applications gives the grass the opportunity to absorb nutrients over a longer period, giving it more consistent nourishment. 

• When using granular lawn feed, it's best to use a wheel-based feed spreader that ensures a more even distribution. This means the grass absorbs a balanced concentration of fertiliser to create a uniform effect.

• Hand spreading is difficult to manage – even for experts – as it tends to result in areas of overly concentrated fertiliser. This can cause grass burning and  differences in growth rate and colour changes – all leading to an uneven looking lawn.

• After spreading fertiliser, water the grass immediately using a sprinkler or a watering can with a rose head attachment.

• This helps to drive the granules towards the soil, washing them off from the leaves and carrying the nourishment down to the roots. 

If you have a mulching mower, your lawn tends to require less fertiliser. This is because the grass trimmings spread by the mower provide around 30% of the nutrients your lawn needs to thrive.