Choosing A Summer Lawn Feed Needn't Be A Nightmare

Once the lawn has been watered (see 'Revive A Summer Lawn By Watering Its Roots') and has begun to grow, a feed can speed recovery - but what type? Should you choose a liquid? Or a granular? There are many different options. Choosing can be nightmare - But it needn't.

PROBLEMS WITH TRADITIONAL GRANULAR FEEDS
As outlined last year, the problem with traditional granular feeds is that they're difficult to apply without scorching the grass, especially in dry weather. I used to avoid this by applying lawn fertilizer granules just as the sky was blackening for a thunderstorm - preferably after the first few drops or rain had already fallen, just to be sure. But this is very wasteful as, being soluble, much of the nitrogen washes straight off the surface into the borders.

In the end, I found liquid feeds to be the best value and easiest to apply as I outlined in 'Summer Feeding A Lawn'.

Liquid feeds are also surprisingly economical, quick-acting and easy to apply (they only require a watering can fitted with a rose). So I would still recommend them.

BENEFITS OF NEW SLOW-RELEASE GRANULAR FEEDS
However, there are now a few slow-release lawn feeds around which, because they release their nutrients over about four months (normal granules last about six weeks), minimise scorching. And, once applied, no further action should be required. This is an obvious benefit over liquid feeds, which need applying monthly. However, things might not be quite so straightforward . . ..

Although they don't break down without water, a situation could arise in a dry summer where all the feed could still be on the lawn surface in autumn, then warm heavy rains could cause a rapid release of ureic nitrogen at just the wrong time of year, making the lawn susceptible to disease. So these feeds still need a regular supply of water throughout the summer.

Furthermore, once applied, it is impossible to rake out dead grass from the turf without also removing them in the process. This is not so bad as it sounds, since this dead material soon covers over and breaks down.

Another drawback to slow-release granules is that most of them on the market are difficult to apply by hand at the rate specified. This can be overcome by using a hand-held fertilizer spinner, available cheaply in most gardening outlets.

Things are definintely improving as far as lawn feeds are concerned.