How to properly fertilize is already described in detail in the guide. Here you can find out which ingredients and compositions you should pay attention to when fertilizing. This belongs in the lawn fertilizer in the spring.
In a nutshell
- In spring, lawns place special demands on the composition of lawn fertilizer
- Ingredients differ in spring fertilization from autumn fertilization
- timely, correct fertilizing in spring for lush green lawns and greater resistance
- Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and sulfur main components
Best time to fertilize
In order to achieve the best possible effect of suitable lawn fertilizer, application in early spring around mid/end of March is ideal. The prerequisite is weather conditions that no longer produce long-lasting ground frost.
If you fertilize later than the beginning of April, you risk starting the season with a nutrient deficiency. This can be corrected later with appropriate fertilization, but full recovery may take weeks or months.
Tip: The ingredients are available to the lawn more quickly if the fertilizer is applied in the evening shortly after a rain shower.
Recommended ingredients
Spring fertilization depends on the right ingredients. The following are essential for the lawn to grow quickly and healthily after the stress of winter and cold:
ingredient | properties |
---|---|
nitrogen (N) | - stimulates growth of green plant parts - strengthens grass - healthy growth - Provides green coloring |
Phosphorus (P) | - works in the root area - boosts grass growth - intensifies green colour - regulates energy balance - Ensures even growth - maintains life-sustaining functions |
Potassium (K) | - Regulation and optimization of the water balance - "protective fertilization" - Strengthens lawns against the heat and drought of summer - increased defense and resistance to diseases - as protection against the cold, also ideal as an autumn fertilizer |
Magnesium (Mg) | - Energy supplier - supports photosynthesis processes - important component of further metabolic processes |
Sulfur (S) | - optimizes protein metabolism and enzyme formation - supports plant growth - improves absorption of important nutrients - Prevents fungal and pest infestations |
In addition, lawn fertilizer often contains a large number of trace elements, which have different effects when fertilized in spring. The best known of these secondary substances are:
- boron (B): to improve shoot and root growth; activates growth hormones
- iron (Fe): required for chlorophyll build-up; Promotion of leafy greens by
- Calcium (Ca): promotes nutrient uptake by roots and is required for cell walls - caution: increases pH
- copper (Cu): essential for photosynthetic function and chlorophyll formation
- Manganese (Mn): improves nitrogen uptake, photosynthesis and enzyme activation; to be administered especially in sandy soils
- Zinc (Zn): Influencing protein metabolism and regular growth; if the phosphorus content is high, zinc absorption is disturbed and should therefore be administered additionally; too much zinc prevents iron absorption and should therefore only be fertilized slightly
composition
For the best possible effect of spring fertilization, an ideal composition of all components is required:
- Nitrogen: 25 to 30 percent share - about ten to 25 grams per square meter depending on the lawn load
- Potassium: about 15 percent
- Phosphorus: around ten percent
- Sulphur: around ten percent
- Magnesium: about five percent
- Secondary materials: in equal proportions up to 30 percent total content
Tip: Fertilizers are commercially available that are specially composed for the special lawn demands in spring. If you rely on high-quality fertilizers from well-known brand suppliers, they usually already have the right composition.
frequently asked Questions
Can autumn fertilizer also be used for spring fertilization?No. Suitable autumn fertilizer for the lawn usually has a significantly higher potassium content, which is not good for the lawn in March/April. In addition, very little nitrogen is used in autumn lawn fertilizers so that the lawn is not stimulated to grow when it is about to go into hibernation.
Which lawn fertilizer is suitable for reseeding and reseeding the lawn in spring?A starter fertilizer is recommended if lawn areas are reseeded after the winter or have been completely reseeded. This is a phosphorus-rich composition, while nitrogen dominates in older lawns. In newly planted turf, phosphorus leads to improved "integration" of the seeds in the soil and the deep root growth of seedlings is promoted. Nitrogen would not do anything beneficial for the seedlings in this case because a healthy root system should be in place first before the grass shoots up.
Does the lawn fertilizer replace reseeding in the spring?That depends on how extensive the clear spots on the lawn are. Basically, lawn fertilization with the right composition of ingredients strengthens the grass and also stimulates growth in width. Smaller clearings can be closed tightly in this way without having to overseed.