UK lawns need feeding 3-4 times per year to stay thick and healthy. Spring feeds use high-nitrogen formulas (typically 20-5-10 NPK) to drive leaf growth, while autumn feeds shift to high-potassium blends (3-5-12 NPK) for root strength and winter hardiness. A 50m2 lawn costs roughly 8-15 pounds per year to feed. The RHS recommends the first spring feed in late March or early April, once soil temperature reaches 8 degrees Celsius.
Key takeaways
- Feed your lawn 3-4 times per year: spring, early summer, late summer, and autumn
- Spring feeds are high in nitrogen (N) for leaf growth; autumn feeds are high in potassium (K) for root strength
- Never feed during drought, frost, or when the ground is waterlogged
- Water in granular feed within 48 hours of application if rain does not fall
- Overfeeding causes fertiliser scorch, leaving brown or yellow patches that take weeks to recover
- Organic feeds release nutrients more slowly but improve soil biology and structure over time
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Our team produces practical UK gardening guidance from source research, contributor records and established horticultural practice. Editorial standards are overseen by Matt W.
