For many people, the extent of their lawn care is making sure they mow the lawns from time to time. Though, have you ever wondered whether it needs more than that?
A quick look through your local garden centre will reveal an abundance of products for lawns to keep them healthy. One of the most prominent ones tends to be nitrogen.
Nitrogen promotes healthy leaf and root growth and can be one of the many ways to give your lawns a new lease on life. If you’ve noticed that your grass is yellowing or thinning, then it might be time to give nitrogen a try.
When to Add Nitrogen to My Lawn
You might think your grass could benefit from nitrogen at any time, but there is a time of the year that is best suited for its application.
When your grass is growing fast in summer and spring, it is more capable of absorbing nutrients. Therefore, once the soil starts maintaining temperatures above approximately 14 degrees, it’s the perfect time to add nitrogen.
You’ll need far less nitrogen in autumn as the mercury drops and almost none at all during winter. In fact, nitrogen application in winter can open the doors for disease and leaf burning.
Will Nitrogen Make My Grass Green?
Yes! Nitrogen will make your grass green. Its role is to promote leaf growth while also assisting in the growing process of aboveground runners, underground runners, and roots. It helps form cells within your lawn that it needs to grow strong, healthy, and green.
You may notice that when you haven’t applied nitrogen, your grass is more likely to feature a yellow tinge rather than a vibrant shade of green.
In saying that, it’s paramount to strike a balance between too much nitrogen and not enough. If you use too little, chlorophyll production is impacted. However, if you use too much, the root development can be impacted, and the cell walls will be thin. That’s why pairing nitrogen with potassium and phosphorus can be a winning recipe.
Some people believe that grass will take care of itself because the earth is made up of such a high percentage of nitrogen. However, your lawn can’t absorb that nitrogen from the air. Sometimes, rain forces that nitrogen to the ground, which is why it can appear greener after rainfall. But that is not enough to keep your lawn healthy and strong, especially in times of infrequent rain.
How Do I Add Nitrogen to My Lawn?
You now know what nitrogen does and when to apply it, but how do you apply it? The application process can depend on any other deficiencies your lawn has. The most common and often the best application method is with a balanced lawn fertiliser mix. These contain trace elements, macronutrients, and micronutrients.
If you are unsure what your lawn is lacking to ensure you get the right balance, it can be worth talking to a grass expert or your local garden centre team.
If you want a patch of grass that’s the envy of your neighbourhood, start focusing on lawn care above and beyond just mowing. Nitrogen application can be an excellent place to begin.
