To help your garden survive the cold winter months, a gardening expert has shared some handy tips.
A gardening expert has shared three ingredients that will leave your garden green this November.(Image: Getty Images)
A gardening expert has shared three simple ingredients that will leave your garden luscious and green this November, and protect it through the chilly months.
While avid gardeners will attend to their lawns throughout the spring and summer months, many of us decide to tuck the lawn mower away as we enter into the autumn and winter season.
However, what many homeowners may not know is that November is actually a vital time to make sure your grass’ health is maintained.
In order to make sure that your garden will be able to survive the cold, harsh winter so it can flourish when spring once again rolls around, late autumn is the optimal time to fertilise your lawn, reports the Express.
Late autumn is the prime time to fertilise your grass ahead of winter.(Image: Getty Images)
Now while some gardeners may be worried that they will need to spend a lot of money on expensive fertilisers that could be harmful to wildlife, a gardening expert has revealed that this isn’t the case at all.
Expert David, from Eagle Wood Farms, has shared how homeowners can naturally enhance their lawns using “simple” ingredients that are safe for animals.
He stated: “Organic homemade lawn fertiliser is the best option for lawn care when you have pets at home. These fertilisers help the grass grow naturally. They maintain a healthy environment as they are harmless to your pets.”
To make a homemade fertiliser, the key ingredients are carbon, nitrogen and calcium. David explained: “Organic homemade fertilisers improve the natural resistance of the grass towards pests and insects, and can greatly benefit the soil. The best way to make your own homemade fertiliser is through composting.”
Crushed egg shells can be a great source of calcium for your garden.(Image: Getty Images)Calcium
Calcium is a key ingredient to create a compost fertiliser as it will strengthen the grass roots and enhance the drainage. This will then allow the grass to absorb nutrients, water or sunlight more efficiently.
David said: “Calcium is the single most important mineral needed for plant and soil nutrition. When calcium is flowing in your soil, everything is flowing.”
For lawns specifically, crushed egg shells can be an excellent source of calcium. It is important to make sure you first wash the shells thoroughly to remove any yolk. This will prevent unwanted pests taking over your garden.
From there, you should place the shells in the oven until they are completely dried, before crushing them into small fragments.
Alternative sources also include oyster shell powder, limescale and calcium sulfate for those looking for other options.
Nitrogen and Carbon
It is equally crucial to ensure that there are adequate nitrogen levels, as the nutrient contains chlorophyll, which gives the grass its rich green hue.
Additionally, nitrogen also helps grass grow more densely, which will help prevent weeds and moss from taking over. This will also boost the overall health of the grass, allowing it to survive the winter chill.
One natural solution is coffee grounds. However, this should be used sparingly as they hold high acidity levels and can be toxic to pets.
Alternatively, grass clippings and decomposing leaves on your lawn can serve as natural sources of nitrogen. Simply chop them up and distribute them evenly to ensure quick decomposition.
In terms of carbon, autumn leaves can help give your grass more energy so it can thrive throughout the winter months.
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