Take the Guesswork Out of Lawn Feeding
Our Year Round Bundle delivers the right feed at the right time – spring, summer, autumn and winter treatments in one box. No more wondering what to apply when.
Feeding your lawn at the right time is the difference between a thick, green carpet and a patchy, weed-infested mess. Get the timing wrong and you’ll either waste money on feed that doesn’t work, or worse, damage your grass when it’s vulnerable.
The good news? Once you understand the basics, lawn feeding becomes straightforward. Your grass has different needs at different times of year, and matching your feed to the season is the key to success.
Why Timing Matters More Than You Think
Grass isn’t just grass. It’s a living plant with an annual cycle – periods of active growth, dormancy, and recovery. Feed at the wrong time and several things can go wrong:
X Spring feed applied in autumn promotes soft growth that frost will kill
X Nitrogen-heavy feed during drought stresses already struggling grass
X Feeding dormant grass in winter is simply money down the drain
X Wrong formulation at the wrong time encourages disease
But get the timing right and you’ll see:
– Thick growth that naturally crowds out weeds
– Deep green colour that lasts between feeds
– Strong roots that survive drought and frost
– Faster recovery from wear and tear
The UK Lawn Feeding Calendar
Here’s exactly when to feed your lawn throughout the year, and what type of feed to use at each stage. For a complete month-by-month breakdown of all lawn tasks, see our lawn care calendar.
Spring Feed: March to April
This is the most important feed of the year. Your lawn has been dormant through winter, surviving on stored reserves. By March, those reserves are depleted and the grass is hungry.
Spring feed should be high in nitrogen to kickstart growth. This is also the perfect time for a combined treatment that tackles moss and weeds at the same time – they’re actively growing too, which makes them vulnerable to treatment.
When exactly? Wait until you see the grass actively growing – usually when daytime temperatures consistently reach 8-10°C. In southern England, this is typically mid-March. In Scotland and northern areas, late March or early April is more realistic.
What to look for: A spring lawn feed with high nitrogen (N) content. Combined feeds that include moss killer (iron sulphate) and selective weedkiller save time and effort. If you have a serious moss problem, this is the time to tackle it.
Late Spring/Early Summer: May to June
By now your lawn should be growing strongly. Some people apply a second feed around late May or June, but this is optional rather than essential.
If you’re leaving grass clippings on the lawn (which you should – they’re free fertiliser), you may not need a summer feed at all. The clippings break down and return nitrogen to the soil naturally.
When to consider it: If your lawn looks pale or growth has slowed despite adequate water, a light feed can help. Also useful if you’ve been removing clippings or if the spring feed has clearly worn off.
Summer Feed: July to August
Summer feeding is the most misunderstood part of lawn care. Many people reach for the fertiliser when their lawn goes brown in a heatwave – but this is exactly the wrong response.
The golden rule: Never feed a drought-stressed lawn unless you can water it regularly. Fertiliser stimulates growth, which increases water demand. On a lawn that’s already struggling for moisture, you’re making things worse.
If your lawn goes dormant and brown during a dry spell, leave it alone. It will recover when rain returns. British lawns are remarkably resilient.
However, if you have irrigation or we’re having a typically damp British summer, a summer feed helps maintain colour and density. Use a balanced formulation – not too high in nitrogen, as this encourages the soft, leafy growth that struggles in heat.
Autumn Feed: September to October
If spring is the most important feed, autumn is a close second. What you do now determines how your lawn survives winter and how quickly it recovers next spring.
Autumn feed has a completely different formulation to spring and summer feeds. It’s lower in nitrogen (you don’t want to encourage soft growth before frost) and higher in potassium and phosphorus. These nutrients strengthen cell walls and promote root development – exactly what grass needs to survive the cold months ahead.
When exactly? September is ideal – the soil is still warm from summer, but growth is slowing. This gives the grass time to absorb nutrients and toughen up before the first frosts. Don’t leave it later than mid-October.
Autumn is also prime time for lawn renovation – scarifying, aerating, and overseeding. If you’re planning to overseed, feed afterwards to help the lawn recover. For a complete guide to autumn tasks, see our article on preparing your lawn for winter.
Winter Feed: November to February
Winter feeding is optional but beneficial, particularly if you want to keep your lawn looking green through the dullest months.
Winter feeds are specialist products – very low in nitrogen, high in iron and potassium. The iron gives the lawn a deep green colour without promoting growth, while potassium continues to strengthen the grass against frost and disease.
When to apply: A single application in November or early December is sufficient. Don’t feed if the ground is frozen or waterlogged – wait for a dry, mild spell.
Many people skip winter feeding entirely, and that’s fine. A well-fed lawn going into autumn will survive winter without additional help. But if you want that Instagram-worthy green lawn in January, a winter feed makes the difference.
How to Apply Lawn Feed
Getting the application right is just as important as timing. Too much feed in one area burns the grass; too little leaves patches unfed.
Check the weather forecast. Ideally, apply when rain is expected within 24-48 hours. The rain waters the feed into the soil where roots can access it. If no rain comes, water the lawn yourself after applying.
Don’t apply before heavy rain. A downpour can wash granules off the lawn before they dissolve, wasting product and potentially feeding your flower beds instead.
Apply evenly. For granular feeds, either use a spreader or apply by hand in a methodical pattern. Walk at a steady pace, overlapping each pass slightly. If you can see where you’ve been (distinct lines of granules), you’re applying too heavily.
Water in if needed. Most granular feeds need moisture to activate. If the lawn is dry and no rain is forecast, give it a good soaking after application.
Keep off the lawn. Most feeds need time to work into the soil. Check the product instructions, but typically you should keep children and pets off the lawn until it’s been watered in and dried.
Common Feeding Mistakes
Feeding by the calendar, not conditions. “It’s April, time to feed” doesn’t work if we’ve had a late cold snap and the grass isn’t growing yet. Watch your lawn, not the date.
More is not better. Overdosing lawn feed causes fertiliser burn – brown patches that can take weeks to recover. Always follow the recommended application rate.
Using the wrong feed for the season. Spring feed in autumn, or vice versa, does more harm than good. The formulations are different for good reason.
Feeding a weedy lawn without treatment. If you feed a lawn full of weeds, you’re feeding the weeds too. Deal with weeds first, or use a combined feed-and-weed product.
Forgetting autumn. Most people remember the spring feed but skip autumn. This leaves the lawn vulnerable going into winter and slow to recover in spring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I feed my lawn?
For most UK lawns, 2-4 times per year is ideal: spring (essential), optional summer, autumn (essential), and optional winter. At minimum, feed in spring and autumn.
Can I feed my lawn in winter?
Yes, but use a specialist winter feed that’s low in nitrogen and high in iron. Don’t feed if the ground is frozen or waterlogged. Winter feeding is optional but keeps the lawn greener.
What happens if I feed my lawn too much?
Overfed grass develops “fertiliser burn” – brown, scorched-looking patches. Water heavily to dilute the excess nitrogen. The lawn will usually recover in a few weeks.
Should I feed before or after mowing?
Either works, but feeding after mowing is slightly better – the feed falls directly onto the soil surface rather than sitting on long grass blades.
How long after feeding can I mow?
Wait until the feed has been watered in and the lawn is dry – usually 24-48 hours. This gives granules time to dissolve and work into the soil.
The Simple Approach
If all this sounds complicated, it doesn’t have to be. For a healthy lawn with minimal effort, just remember two essential feeds:
– Spring (March-April): High nitrogen feed to kickstart growth
– Autumn (September-October): Potassium-rich feed to strengthen for winter
Get these two right and your lawn will outperform most of your neighbours’. Add summer and winter feeds if you want to go the extra mile, but the spring-autumn combination covers the essentials. For more feeding tips and comprehensive lawn guidance, explore our lawn care guide.
Want to simplify your lawn care? Our Year Round Lawn Treatment Bundle includes all four seasonal feeds in one box – spring, summer, autumn and winter. Each treatment is clearly labelled with when to apply, taking the guesswork out of lawn feeding completely.
