Fertiliser question - would it be worth applying now?

Perissa

Perissa

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 February 2003
Messages
1,976
Location
Hampshire
Visit site
I am in southern hampshire and my winter fields still have large patches of dead grass where we has little rain all summer. I was wondering if its worth chucking on some fertiliser now to give it a boost or have I left it too late?
 
Thought as much.

So another question when would be a good time to fertilise my winter fields next year?

If I fertiliser in the spring I most likely won't get any rain over the summer, hence great patches of dead grass, so any growth would die off. If I fertilise in the summer I have missed the spring spurt and most likely won't get any rain (if the last few years are anything to go by) so the fertiliser will just sit there doing nothing. If I fertilise in the autumn I am too late.

What to do?

PS I'll get a soil test done first!
 
Just asked OH (farmer) he agrees too late to be worth while now.

Thinks it would be worth it in Spring. It doesn't need continuous rain to make it work, just enough to wash it in, and then should start working after nine days. Perhaps you need to sow some grass seeds on the dead bits rather than just fertilising these.:)
 
Agreed for a field use to late but Domestic gardens, Golf courses this question would be, the best time to apply an Autumn and winter fertiliser to harden up turf for the winter reduce the leaching process and apply a high Iron and magnesium feed that will reduce moss.
 
Yes it would be ok, we farm and have applied some to our bottom horse paddock 3 weeks ago. its greened up and is growing beautifully. We dont apply a lot. Its still not too late. Grass stops growing when the temperature reaches 6 degrees Celsius. Its going to be 20-odd this week. Go for it.
April next year,providing its mild is a good time to apply for spring,you can wait until May if you need to for some reason or other.
 
Last edited:
No. Now is not three weeks ago!:D

If you apply in the spring and it doesn't rain, it will just sit there until it does, though I agree some will get dissolved (dew?) and be absorbed into the soil but the grass will be growing a bit anyway so it won't be wasted.
 
I suggest you oversow with wild white clover and fescues in the dead areas in spring, this will work away fixing nitrogen and generally improve the dead partches. You may have to harrow before treatment.
I would do a bit more management, harrowing rolling and topping also check drainage, and lime if necessary. A good sward should be self sufficient if it is not over grazed.
Grass growth depends on the soil temperature, which is lowest at night [obviously] and needs to be above 5 degrees. I put some lawn seed down three weeks ago, and it has taken, but I am 50 50 about puting any more on as it is pretty late but temps are still over 12 degrees night and day at the moment, but too late for grazing I would say.
 
Last edited:
If it's wet and warm the grass is growing you can apply.. September flushes are common and fertiliser will encourage that. Clearly if we have a cold snap don't bother but forecast looks good to me - I put some down 2 weeks ago.

I use 15:15:15 NPK, so not nitrogen rich, and only 2 bags an acre, a lot less than farmers would.

Finally, the companies usually say keep stock off for 2 weeks, i wait a month to be on the safe side.
 
You can also seed at this time of year, looking at the weather forecast, you should be fine till mid October. There is plenty of dew on the ground in the mornings, it's even better than rain, as it clings to grass rather than going straight through the ground. I will be overseeding tonight and fertilising tomorrow :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top