If you don't take care of your lawn, weeds like clover and dandelions will quickly spread. Although the colorful flowers may initially look nice in the green, it can be extremely laborious and time-consuming to remove the weeds again. A sufficient supply of fertilizer is also helpful in the fight against wild plants that invade the lawn.
Which lawn fertilizer helps against weeds?
A lawn fertilizer against weeds should cover the nutrient needs of the lawn and thus strengthen competition against weeds. Organic-mineral fertilizers are suitable because they are environmentally friendly. Even fertilizer doses throughout the year help to effectively prevent weed growth.
Nutrient deficiency promotes weeds in the lawn
The most common cause of weeds settling in the lawn is a lack of nutrients. The reason: In contrast to many weeds, grass has a very high nutrient requirement that must be met. If regular fertilization is not carried out, the stalks become weaker, the compacting effect of the grass roots decreases and weed seeds can sprout.
In the increasing competition for nutrients, the grasses are losing out. This is particularly noticeable in summer, when drought is already causing problems for the lawn. Clover then quickly becomes a problem because it tolerates a lack of water very well and can produce its own nitrogen through nodule bacteria.
Fertilize your lawn properly
You can effectively prevent weeds through fertilization. You should proceed as follows:
- Have a soil analysis carried out every three to four years. This means you know which nutrients are missing and can fertilize as needed.
- Distribute nutrient doses evenly throughout the year. Most slow-release fertilizers are effective for three months.
- Prefer organic-mineral fertilizers as they protect the environment.
- The first fertilization takes place after the first mowing.
- In June, when the grasses have had their strongest growth phase, fertilization is carried out.
- A further fertilizer application can follow in August on stressed areas.
- Autumn fertilization increases frost hardiness. To do this, use special autumn lawn fertilizer, the release of which strengthens the cell walls of the grass.
- Always distribute the fertilizer with a spreader (€23.00 on Amazon). This ensures that the preparation is applied evenly.
Be sure to avoid driving errors with the fertilizer truck. The strips should not overlap and there should be no gaps between the strips. Over-fertilization causes the lawn to turn yellow and damage the grass, which in turn encourages the spread of weeds.
Tip
Even cheap and poor quality seeds tend to become weedy. Such mixtures are often riddled with weed seeds beforehand. Therefore, always pay attention to high-quality lawn mixtures when planting and reseeding.
