Lawns, practical guide
Lawn feeding basics.
For a lawn that is patchy, thin or just tired after a hard season. When a feed helps, and when to leave well alone.
- FeedWhile the grass is growing
- SkipDrought, frost, waterlogging
- GreenWeekly in the growing season
A lawn through the year
General guidance from the RHS for a UK lawn. Dates shift with the weather and with how far north you are, so let the grass tell you: it should be growing. Liquid feeds are used more often at lower strength, so follow the label on the feed you use.
| Activity | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring feed | January: no | February: no | March: yes | April: yes | May: no | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Late March to April, once the grass is growing and the soil is moist. Never on frozen ground. | ||||||||||||
| Summer | January: no | February: no | March: no | April: no | May: yes | June: yes | July: yes | August: yes | September: no | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Feed only if the lawn needs it, and never in drought. Nothing high in nitrogen after August. | ||||||||||||
| Autumn care | January: no | February: no | March: no | April: no | May: no | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: yes | October: yes | November: no | December: no |
| Scarify and aerate, and feed only if the lawn is growing poorly, with a feed made for autumn. Northern England and Scotland start in September. | ||||||||||||
| Rest | January: yes | February: yes | March: no | April: no | May: no | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: no | November: yes | December: yes |
| No feed on a dormant lawn. | ||||||||||||
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Spring feed
March to AprilLate March to April, once the grass is growing and the soil is moist. Never on frozen ground.
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Summer
May to AugustFeed only if the lawn needs it, and never in drought. Nothing high in nitrogen after August.
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Autumn care
September to OctoberScarify and aerate, and feed only if the lawn is growing poorly, with a feed made for autumn. Northern England and Scotland start in September.
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Rest
January to February, November to DecemberNo feed on a dormant lawn.
A bar shows when this usually applies.
Which lawn have you got?
The right move depends on the state of the grass. Pick the one that sounds like yours.
Established and healthy
Many lawns grow well without feeding, and the RHS says most do not need it. If the grass is thick, green and coping, mow it well and leave the feed in the cupboard.
- FeedOnly if growth is poor
- SpringLate March to April, while the grass is growing
- MowingLittle and often, never more than a third off at once
Thin, pale or tired
A lawn that has had a hard season, or takes a lot of use, is the one that benefits from a feed. The RHS order is to scarify, aerate, then feed while the grass is growing, so the feed reaches the roots.
- OrderScarify, then aerate, then feed if needed
- WhenWhile the grass is actively growing
- WaterFeed on moist soil and water it in
New lawns
Seed and turf need water more than feed in the first weeks. There is no firm rule we can point to for when to start feeding a new lawn, so follow the instructions that came with your seed or turf, and the label on your feed. Keep it watered.
- First weeksWater is the priority
- When to feedFollow your seed or turf instructions
- Watch forDry patches, and foot traffic
Dry, frozen or waterlogged
Feed on a stressed lawn does more harm than good. The RHS avoids feed and weedkiller on drought-hit turf, and feeding dry or frozen ground can damage roots. Leave it to recover first.
- DroughtWater, then wait for recovery
- FrostLeave until the ground thaws
- WaterloggedImprove drainage first
Mowing does more than most feeds
Cut little and often, and never take more than a third of the height off in one go. The RHS suggests 13 to 25 mm in summer, up to 40 mm in spring and autumn. Cutting shorter weakens the grass, and weak grass is where moss gets in.
Moss comes from weak grass, shade, compaction, damp and acid soil. The RHS says no product kills it permanently, so a stronger, better-cared-for lawn is the lasting fix. A feed helps the grass compete, but it is not a moss treatment.
Green is a feed, not a moss killer
A well-fed lawn competes with moss better over time, but Green is not a treatment for an existing moss problem.
Four ways to waste a lawn feed
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Mistake 1
Feeding a drought-stressed lawn
A lawn that is struggling for water cannot use the feed.
InsteadWater, and wait for it to recover.
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Mistake 2
Feeding frozen or waterlogged ground
The roots cannot take it up, and it can do harm.
InsteadWait for the ground to thaw or drain.
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Mistake 3
Mowing too short
It weakens the grass, and weak grass is where moss gets in.
InsteadKeep to the RHS heights, and never take more than a third at once.
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Mistake 4
Feeding unevenly
Stripes of dark and pale grass show where the feed went.
InsteadWater it on with a rose, in even passes.
Green: Lawn Feed
Liquid lawn feed for the bit of the garden that gets mown, walked on and played on all summer.
- How to useShake well, then mix four or five capfuls into a watering can and water over the lawn with a rose. Once a week through the growing season, as it says on the label.
- Size1L bottle
- Also good to know100% natural, peat-free and made without synthetic chemicals.
Questions people ask
Does my lawn need feeding at all?
Not always. The RHS says many lawns grow fine without feeding. A lawn that is thin, pale or hard-worn is the one that benefits, and it needs to be actively growing to use the feed.
When is the best time to feed a lawn?
While the grass is actively growing: late March to April for a spring feed, and only if needed in autumn, with a feed made for autumn. Avoid drought, frost and waterlogged ground. Liquid feeds like Green are used more often, so follow the label.
Will Green help with moss?
Green is a feed, not a moss killer or weed treatment. A stronger, better-fed lawn can compete with moss better over time, but it is not a direct treatment for an existing moss problem.
Can I feed straight after mowing?
Yes, that is generally fine. There is no need to feed immediately before a cut.
How do I apply liquid lawn feed evenly?
Mix it in a watering can as the label says and water it over the lawn with a rose, in even passes, so you do not leave stripes.
What should I know about pets and children?
Keep the bottle where children and pets cannot get at it, and follow the safety notes on the label. The label is the place to check for anything specific.
Is Green peat-free?
Yes, like the rest of the range.
