2 weeks Ago By Angela Patrone
Lawns will remain stunning, robust and healthy if gardeners follow the right car in November and early December. Experts say late autumn is when you should be nourishing your lawn with fertiliser , so it can weather the winter and emerge lush in the spring. Yet, before you fork out on expensive chemical mixes, David from Eagle Wood Farms has shared a few “simple” natural alternatives that are pet-friendly.
David explained: “Organic homemade lawn fertiliser is the best option for lawn care when you have pets at home.” Adding these concoctions not only promote grass growth but also safeguard a healthy habitat since “these fertilisers help the grass grow naturally and they maintain a healthy environment as they are harmless for your pets”. David shared: “Organic homemade fertilisers improve the natural resistance of the grass towards pests and insects, and can greatly benefit the soil.
The best way to make your own homemade fertiliser is through composting.” High on the ingredient list, calcium’s role is vital as it supports root strength and enhances drainage, letting the grass absorb sun, water, and nutrients more efficiently. David explained: “Calcium is the single most important mineral needed for plant and soil nutrition.
When calcium is flowing in your soil, everything is flowing.” For those looking to give their lawns a calcium boost, crushed-up eggshells are an excellent choice. Simply wash the eggshells well to remove any yolk residue, which can attract unwanted pests.
Next, bake them in the oven until they’re completely dry before crushing them into small fragments. If you’re seeking alternative natural sources of calcium, consider oyster shell powder, limescale, or calcium sulphate. When it comes to nitrogen and carbon, these nutrients are vital too.
Nitrogen, in particular, contains chlorophyll, which imparts a lush green hue to grass. Beyond aesthetics, “nitrogen-rich grass grows greener and thicker”, helping to prevent weeds and moss from taking hold. It also bolsters the lawn's health, keeping it robust against diseases through the winter months.
Coffee grounds can be used as a natural nitrogen source for your lawn, but caution is advised due to their acidity and potential toxicity to pets, which might deter some gardeners. A safer bet would be to use grass clippings and decaying leaves already on your lawn, which are rich in nitrogen. Just remember to chop them up and spread them evenly to ensure they decompose swiftly.
Leaving whole foliage that is not shredded in piles can obstruct sunlight and hinder grass growth. Autumn leaves are also a rich source of carbon, providing grass with the energy it needs to stay healthy and resilient during the harsh winter months. David advised that when creating homemade fertiliser, half of your compost pile should be made up of nitrogen-rich items, such as grass, weeds and garden clippings that are still green, food scraps, and fruit and vegetable peels.
“The other half should be made up of carbon-rich items such as dried leaves and grass, wood chips, straw, and paper. Mix these together well. “Calcium should be added to this lawn fertiliser to meet the calcium requirements of your lawn, and to aid in the composting process by reducing nitrogen losses.
” Once your biodegradable materials have fully broken down in the compost, spread it onto your lawn and you’ll be rewarded with greener, stronger, and thicker grass next year..
