The perfect start to the gardening season: tips for fertilizing your lawn
With the start of the new gardening season, lawn care is at the top of every garden lover's agenda. A lush, green lawn is the centerpiece of every garden and the dream of every amateur gardener. To make this dream come true, the right fertilization is crucial. Because only if the grasses are supplied with sufficient and balanced nutrients can they develop a dense sward and are thus able to suppress moss and other undesirable species.
1. The optimum time for fertilizing and its importance:
Timing is crucial when fertilizing the lawn. The ideal time for the first fertilization is in spring, when the days are getting longer and temperatures are rising, which signals to the grasses that it is time for growth. Early fertilization, after the last frost has passed, provides the plant with the nutrients it needs for vigorous growth. The first nutrient boost at the beginning of the growing season is initially needed for strong root development. Strong root growth is essential for the entire season, as it improves the grasses' resistance to stress factors in the long term. If the growing conditions become more favorable, the nutrients are transferred from the roots and used by the plant to build up the green leaf mass.
The right soil temperature plays a significant role here, as some nutrients, especially nitrogen (N), can only be released in the soil above a certain temperature and thus effectively absorbed by the plants. Nitrogen influences the intensity of growth and green coloration of the blades of grass.
2. The importance of organic fertilizer for your lawn:
Organic fertilizer is vital to the health and growth of your lawn. In contrast to an exclusively inorganic fertilizer, an organic component promotes the activity of beneficial soil organisms. A large variety and number of living organisms in the soil has a decisive influence on the health of lawn grasses. The predominant use of organic fertilizers can improve the soil structure over time, which in turn has a positive effect on the lawn's resistance to extreme weather events.
3. First cut and scarifying - timing and technique:
The first cut and scarifying are critical maintenance tasks, but they have a significant impact on the appearance and health of your lawn. It is important to wait until the lawn has reached a height of around 5-6 cm before the first cut. This ensures that the grasses have had sufficient time to establish and strengthen. Cutting too early can stimulate growth and make the lawn susceptible to diseases and pests. When pruning, no more than a third of the leaf height should be removed to minimize stress on the plants and maximize photosynthesis.
Scarifying to remove moss and thatch should only be carried out later in the spring or early summer when the lawn is actively growing and can recover well from the treatment. Scarifying too early can damage the lawn, especially when it is just coming out of hibernation and growing conditions are not ideal.
By following these detailed tips and techniques, you can ensure your lawn has a healthy start to the new gardening season. Organic fertilizer, proper timing and careful maintenance are the keys to a dense, robust lawn that you can enjoy all summer long.
Gardena offers a range of high-quality products to help you take the best possible care of your lawn and implement the above tips effectively. Not only is the precise Gardena spreader L ideal for evenly spreading organic fertilizer on your lawn and enabling efficient and convenient fertilization, but also after fertilizing and as soon as your lawn has reached the right height for the first cut, the Gardena PowerMax electric lawn mower comes into play.
