When to Feed Your Lawn

When to Feed Lawn

Feeding your lawn at the right time of year is essential for strong, healthy grass. A well-timed feed supports root development, boosts colour, improves drought resistance, and helps the lawn outcompete moss and weeds. But knowing when to apply fertiliser is just as important as knowing what to apply. Feeding too early, too late, or with the wrong product can stress the lawn or encourage the wrong type of growth. With a seasonal approach, your lawn will stay greener, thicker, and more resilient throughout the year.

The First Feed of the Year

The first lawn feed of the year should usually happen in early to mid-spring, around March or April, depending on soil temperature and weather conditions. This is when grass starts growing again after winter and needs a boost to recover from dormancy. Look for a spring-summer fertiliser high in nitrogen to support leafy growth and vibrant colour.

Apply the feed once the lawn has had its first cut of the season, the soil has warmed up, and growth has begun. Avoid feeding too early while the grass is still dormant, as nutrients won’t be absorbed properly and may leach away with rain.

Feeding Through the Growing Season

As the season progresses, grass continues to grow actively and uses up nutrients in the soil. A second feed in late spring or early summer helps maintain thickness and strength. In high-traffic lawns or areas prone to wear, this mid-season application is especially important to support recovery and root structure.

During hot, dry spells in mid-summer, reduce or pause feeding unless you're able to water the lawn regularly. Fertiliser applied to dry soil can scorch the grass and cause more harm than good. If you're feeding in summer, choose a slow-release formulation and apply during cooler periods or just before expected rainfall.

Autumn Feeding for Root Strength

The most important feed for long-term health happens in autumn, typically between late September and early November. This feed is different from spring or summer fertilisers. It’s low in nitrogen and higher in potassium and phosphorus, which strengthen the roots and prepare the grass for winter stress. A proper autumn feed helps the lawn stay greener through winter and bounce back faster in spring.

Avoid using spring or summer feed products in autumn, as they encourage top growth at the wrong time of year, which can lead to soft blades and increased disease risk.

Feeding New Lawns

For newly seeded or recently turfed lawns, hold off on feeding until the grass has been mown at least two or three times. This ensures the roots are established enough to absorb nutrients without being overwhelmed. Once the lawn is settled, you can apply a gentle starter fertiliser to support early development.

Soil Temperature, Not Just the Calendar

Fertiliser is only effective when the grass is actively growing and soil temperatures are consistently above 8°C. If applied too early in spring or too late in autumn, nutrients can sit unused or be washed away before they’re absorbed. Early feeding is best delayed until the lawn has greened up and had its first mow, which confirms the grass is growing and ready to take in nutrients.

Granular vs Liquid Feeding Schedules

Granular fertilisers are slower-releasing and ideal for main seasonal feedstypically in spring, summer and autumn. Liquid feeds act faster and are suited to quick fixes or in-between boosts, especially in summer when weather conditions change rapidly. However, liquid feeds require more frequent reapplication and careful timing around rainfall or irrigation.

Avoid Feeding Before Heavy Rain

While moisture helps activate fertiliser, too much rain too soon can wash nutrients off the surface or deep into the soil where they’re less accessible. Apply feed when the ground is moist, but not saturated, and try to time applications around mild, dry days with rain expected 12 to 24 hours later.

Lawn Condition Affects Timing

Lawns that are recovering from drought, disease or moss treatment may benefit from an early or late-season feed to support regrowth. However, stressed grass also needs gentler handling. Use a low-strength or specialised recovery feed, and always wait until the grass has shown signs of bounce-back (e.g., upright growth or colour return) before applying any products.

High-Nitrogen Feeds Can Backfire in the Wrong Season

Nitrogen promotes lush blade growth, but using high-nitrogen feeds in late autumn or early spring can make the lawn more vulnerable to frost damage, disease, or thatch build-up. Always match your fertiliser blend to the season, don’t just use whatever’s leftover from earlier in the year.

Moss and Weed Treatments Can Delay Feeding

If you've recently applied moss killer or a selective weedkiller, it's best to delay fertilising for at least 7 to 10 days, or until the product instructions allow. Applying fertiliser too soon can either weaken the chemical treatment or stress the grass as it recovers. Likewise, avoid feeding immediately before treating moss or weeds.

Organic Fertilisers Follow a Different Cycle

Natural or organic lawn feeds release nutrients more slowly than synthetic options, which can change your timing. These products are best applied a few weeks before peak growth periods, allowing the nutrients to build up gradually in the soil. If you’re switching from synthetic to organic feeding, be prepared for a longer lead-in time but more sustainable long-term results.

Final Word

Feeding your lawn at the right times of year keeps it healthy, strong and able to withstand seasonal stresses. Spring boosts growth, summer maintains performance, and autumn prepares the roots for the colder months ahead. Matching your feed type to the season ensures your lawn gets exactly what it needsno more, no less. With a consistent feeding routine and good mowing habits, you'll enjoy a greener, thicker, and more resilient lawn all year round.