What Is Lawn Fertiliser?

Marcus Bergin
Jun 28
2 min read

You’ve probably seen bags of lawn fertiliser in garden centres or heard about professional treatments, but what exactly is it, and why does it matter?

Lawn fertiliser explained

Lawn fertiliser is simply food for your grass. It contains a blend of nutrients that help your lawn grow thick, green, and healthy. The three main nutrients are:

Nitrogen (N): Encourages strong leaf growth and a vibrant green colour.
Phosphorus (P): Supports healthy root development, especially important when establishing new lawns.
Potassium (K): Builds overall strength and resilience against disease, drought, and cold.

These nutrients are shown as an N-P-K ratio on fertiliser packaging. For example, Spring Surge Pro is 17-5-8, meaning it has higher nitrogen for spring growth, with phosphorus and potassium for balanced health.

What’s the difference between lawn fertiliser and general plant feed?

While general plant feeds can help in a pinch, lawn fertilisers are specifically formulated for grass. They release nutrients in a way that suits regular mowing and promote dense, tough growth to handle foot traffic.

Granular vs. liquid fertilisers

Granular fertilisers: Slow-release, providing nutrients over weeks or months. They’re ideal for most lawns as they require fewer applications.
Liquid fertilisers: Fast-acting but short-lived. They green up lawns quickly but need to be reapplied more often.

For most domestic lawns, professional granular feeds like Johnson Lawn Care Direct products offer long-lasting results with minimal fuss.

Why use lawn fertiliser?

Without feeding, lawns become thin and pale, allowing moss and weeds to take over. Regular feeding helps keep your grass dense, green, and resilient throughout the year.

Professional lawn feeding services

If you’re unsure which fertiliser to use or when to apply it, I offer seasonal feeding treatments tailored to your lawn’s needs, using professional-grade products for the best results.