What does fertiliser do?
Fertiliser maintains the health of the grass and appearance of the pitch. It does this by providing building blocks for growth.
Without it, you’re going to see slow growth, poor recovery after damage, and unsightly grass plants aswell as other potential factors such as disease.
Proper soil analysis is recommended to determine how much and what type of fertiliser is needed but here’s a tip: healthy grass is a lush green, undernourished grass is tinged yellow.
What is it made of?
Fertiliser can be liquid, granular or powdery. It can be a mixture of three major nutrients, as well as some minor nutrients.
Major nutrients are the ones that need to be replenished in the soil most often.
Nitrogen (N)
Phosphorous (P)
Potassium (K) (sometimes labelled as potash)
The trio is sometimes referred to as NPK. The NPK ratio (N:P:K, percentage by volume) is expressed as three numbers joined by dashes.
For example, 10-6-10 is 10% nitrogen, 6% phosphorous and 10% potassium. It doesn’t add up to 100% as the pure elements are combined with other materials to make them stable and practical to store and use.
Minor nutrients you may find in the mix: iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron, magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S).
Take care not to overapply nitrogen especially in the late autumn or winter! It can produce soft, weak growth. Grass will damage and wear easily and won’t recover well.
Do not apply liquid or granular fertilisers in hot, dry weather! It can scorch the grass.
Yellow grass and signs of wear and tear may suggest the pitch would benefit from fertilisation.
When do I apply it?
It’s important to plan your application of fertiliser (your ‘feeding’ programme) around your pitch’s needs.
- Most conventional granular fertilisers can be applied every 4-6 weeks but may not be the most cost effective in for grassroots pitches. Controlled release fertiliser can last up to 4-6 months in fertile clay soils and provides a steadier, even pattern of growth.
- Apply as required after soil analysis.
- Applying after long periods of play can help the pitch to recover more quickly.
- A slow-release granular fertiliser can be used in Spring to aid steady growth without becoming overwhelming.
- A conventional (straight) release fertiliser can produce rapid growth to aid recovery but wont last as long.
