There’s a lot that goes into caring for any lawn – mowing and watering, taking care of shifting seasonal requirements and looking after edges – to name a few.
However, one of the most crucial steps in caring for a lawn in New Zealand is fertilising it. From season to season, your lawn needs different nutrients to be as sturdy and vibrant as possible. With the right fertilising schedule, you can ensure your lawn receives all the necessary nutrients at the right time.
That said, there are numerous options for lawn fertilisers to choose from. This can make it fairly intimidating to make your selection, as choosing the right one can make a significant difference for your lawn.
We’ve got your back. Read on for an explanation of why fertilising your lawn is so important, and get our take on the options for the best lawn fertiliser NZ property owners should be looking for when it comes to a property care partner..
Why Using the Best Lawn Fertiliser NZ-Wide Matters
If you want a lawn that’s green, lush, and the envy of the street, fertilising is a must. It gives your grass the nutrients it needs to grow well and stay healthy, especially when your soil isn’t doing the job on its own.
Most lawn fertilisers in NZ are a trifecta of key nutrients your grass needs to grow healthy and strong:
- Nitrogen (N) – for vibrant, green growth.
- Phosphorus (P) – to help roots grow nice and strong.
- Potassium (K) – to boost overall resilience, especially during tough weather.
You can find other types of fertiliser (or mix your own) to include more nutrients in the mix or to create a custom blend for tailored lawn growth.
What Makes Kiwi Lawns Unique?
Lashing rain and howling wind in winter, baking sun and high humidity in summer; the subtropical climate in Aotearoa can create some unique challenges for any lawn. Whether you’re up north dealing with drought or down south managing frost, the weather plays a significant role in how well your lawn grows and what it needs.
Add in different soil types across the country, and you’ve got a good reason to be a bit more strategic about what fertiliser you’re using and when.
Picking the Best Lawn Fertiliser for NZ Properties
1. Understand Your Options
Let’s start with the basics. There are two main types of fertiliser: synthetic and organic.
- Synthetic fertilisers are fast-acting and targeted, so they’re great when your lawn needs a quick pick-me-up.
- Organic fertilisers are made from natural sources, like manure. They release nutrients slowly, thereby incorporating them into the soil’s overall composition to improve its long-term health.
For a show-stopping lawn, you’ll want something with a decent dose of nitrogen, especially during the warmer months, when your grass is growing quickly. To make sure you’re striking the right balance, test your soil and check the N-P-K ratio on the fertiliser label. It will help you identify which fertiliser will address your lawn’s unique requirements.
2. Think Seasonally
Much like everything else in your garden, your lawn’s needs change with the seasons. In other words, there isn’t just one best lawn fertiliser that NZ gardeners should rely on year-round. Here’s a quick season-to-season guide to help you stay on track:
- Spring is the time to wake your lawn up, so a nitrogen-rich fertiliser will encourage fresh, green growth.
- Summer is the best time for a slow-release blend to help your grass cope with heat and aridity.
- Autumn is the time when your lawn is craving something balanced to support its root growth as the lawn gets ready for winter, and it helps it stand up to lawn mowing much better, too.
- Winter, in warmer parts of the country, is the best time for a light feed. In more southern regions, it’s usually time for a break.
When in doubt, don’t overdo it. Fertilising is great for keeping your lawn healthy, but too much of a good thing can damage your lawn.
3. Check Local Advice
Because our island is so volcanic, soil quality changes significantly across different regions of New Zealand. It’s a good idea to have your soil tested or consult with a local team of gardening experts before selecting your fertiliser. Most areas in Aotearoa have naturally acidic soil that can benefit from a small amount of lime to balance the ph levels. Others might need help retaining moisture during summer.
As you can see, selecting the best fertiliser for NZ lawn-lovers is a matter of knowing what you are specifically dealing with.
If you’re fairly confident in your skills, test different fertilisers on patches of lawn to establish what your grass loves most, and go from there! Broad guidelines are helpful to narrow the field, but if you’re unsure, your best port of call is a soil test and a recommendation from a professional.
Enjoy a top-tier lawn without the stress thanks to your elite property care partner.
Paramount Gardening has been raising and maintaining award-winning gardens across New Zealand for years. Our team of specialists is ready to help build a tailored lawn-care plan for your garden, including using the best lawn fertiliser for NZ conditions in your area.
Curious about how we can help? Reach out to book your free quote today.
