Short answer: Feed your lawn when it's actively growing and the soil is warm (around 8–10°C or more). In the UK that means a high-nitrogen spring feed around April–May to green it up, an optional light summer feed, and a potassium-rich autumn feed in September–October to toughen it for winter. Don't feed dormant grass in winter — it can't use the nutrients and you'll waste product.
Feeding isn't about pouring on as much as possible. It's about matching the feed type to the season: nitrogen for growth in spring, potassium for hardiness in autumn.
The simple feeding schedule
| Season | When | Feed type | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | April–May | High-nitrogen ("spring/summer" feed) | Promotes green, leafy growth after winter |
| Summer | June–August (optional) | Balanced, slow-release | Keeps colour in a long season; skip in drought |
| Autumn | September–October | High-potassium, low-nitrogen ("autumn" feed) | Strengthens roots and hardiness for winter |
| Winter | November–February | None | Grass is dormant and can't take up nutrients |
Get the timing right
The calendar is a guide, but growth is the real signal. Only feed once the grass is actively growing and the soil has warmed — feeding cold, dormant grass wastes product and can even scorch it. In a cold, late spring, wait; in a mild one, you can start a little earlier. See the month-by-month lawn care calendar for the full seasonal rhythm.
Use the right feed for the season
- Spring/summer feeds are high in nitrogen — they drive leafy green growth when the lawn is growing fast.
- Autumn feeds are high in potassium and low in nitrogen — they build root strength and cold-hardiness. Using a spring feed in autumn is a common mistake: it forces soft growth right before winter, which is easily damaged.
Many spring feeds are sold as "weed and feed" combined with a moss or weed treatment, which can be handy if you're also tackling moss.
Feed, water and weather
Most granular feeds need moisture to work — the granules have to dissolve and wash down to the roots. Apply feed when rain is forecast, or water it in yourself afterwards. Applying feed to a bone-dry lawn in a heatwave risks scorching it.
This is where a fixed feeding date falls down. YardIQ watches your local forecast and tells you when conditions are right to feed — warm enough, with rain coming to wash it in.
How feeding fits with mowing
Feed a day or two after mowing, not immediately before, so you're not cutting off the fresh growth you've just fed. Keep to a sensible mowing height — a well-fed lawn mown too short still struggles.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I feed my lawn?
For most UK lawns, two feeds a year is enough: a high-nitrogen feed in spring (April–May) and a potassium-rich autumn feed (September–October). A light, balanced summer feed is optional for lawns you want to keep looking their best.
Can you over-feed a lawn?
Yes. Too much feed — especially high-nitrogen feed — can scorch the grass, cause a flush of soft, disease-prone growth, and pollute waterways through run-off. Always follow the product's application rate and don't feed dormant grass.
Should I feed the lawn before or after mowing?
Feed a day or two after mowing rather than just before, so you're not immediately cutting off the new growth. Make sure the feed is watered in, either by rain or by watering afterwards.
Can I feed my lawn in winter?
No. Grass is dormant in winter and can't take up nutrients, so feeding is wasted and can encourage weak growth or run off into drains. Wait until spring, when the soil warms and growth restarts.