Best Lawn Feeds – 2024 Expert Buyers Guide

We really hope that you love the products that we recommend. Just so you know, ToolsReview may collect a share of sales or be compensated through the links on this page, but we think it’s a fair trade for the long hours of research that we put in.

Best Lawn Feed

The best lawn feeds are going to be the key to ensuring that your lawn looks its best! Lawn feeds are there to give your lawn a boost so that it is as healthy as possible – which in turn then provides the grass with nutrients and minerals that it needs. This helps to create a bright, vibrant, thick lawn that is the envy of all of your neighbours!

You may want a lawn feed just because it is good practice and you want to get the best from your lawn, or it could be that you are having problems with your lawn such as brown patches and dried out blades of grass – whatever the reason, there will be a lawn feed for you!

Best Pick – Miracle-Gro Evergreen Complete 4 in 1 Lawn Food

Miracle-Gro Evergreen Complete 4 in 1 Lawn Food - 360 m2, 12.6 kg, Lawn Food, Weed & Moss Control
  • Creates a thicker, greener and healthier lawn whilst killing weeds and moss
  • WaterSmart formula helps absorb water and nutrients more effectively, helping to protect your lawn against drought and stress
  • For ideal results, apply using an EverGreen or Scotts spreader to ensure even coverage
  • After applying this product in accordance with the label instructions keep children and pets away from treated areas until the granules have been watered in thoroughly and the areas have dried
  • Use from April to September

Last update on 2024-12-09 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

In A Hurry?

Craving a football pitch worthy lawn? Wanting a lawn that is the envy of all your neighbours? Then you need to read about these key features that you need to look out for when purchasing the best lawn feed. 

Type of Lawn Feed

There are two main types of lawn feed that you will be able to choose from – granular and water soluble. There are benefits to both so it really depends what is going to be best suited to you and your lawn. 

Granular lawn feeds are your dry option feeds meaning that they are really easy to use as you literally have to shake the lawn feed over your lawn. If you do this on a day when it is due to rain then it is as simple as that – but don’t worry if it doesn’t rain as you can just water your lawn yourself. The granules are going to be pretty easy to spread around your garden, the only issue is that there is the potential of you spreading them unevenly which could lead to uneven lawn growth and even scorched patches if spread too thickly in one place. 

Water soluble lawn feeds come as granules or powder which is then dissolved in water. You then simply water your lawn with the lawn feed mixed into the solution. The main benefit to this type of fertiliser is how fast it is going to work – the water will soak into your soil almost immediately, where it can then be sucked up by your lawn through the roots. Another benefit is the fact that it is much harder for you to overfeed your lawn, as providing you move the watering can around evenly, the feed will distribute evenly! The main downside is that you have to mix the solution and will possibly need to consider having one watering can for your lawn and another for your plants incase of any residual feed. 

Some of the best lawn feeds will be able to work either dry OR when dissolved in water. This allows you greater flexibility to figure out what is going to be best for you and your lawn without wasting money! 

TOP TIP: No matter the type of lawn feed that you choose – you are always going to be better opting for smaller granules. These will dissolve faster in water or spread more evenly into the ground regardless of the type of lawn feed you are going for you. 

Weed Killer? 

Obviously the main purpose of a lawn feed is to feed your lawn! This is achieved by providing the lawn with the various nutrients and vitamins that it needs to grow strong, thick and healthily. But, there are also many lawn feeds that also have weed killers included in the solution! These clever lawn feeds are designed so that they will pick out and kill any weeks or moss that are taking up precious space in your lawn, whilst providing nutrients and life to the grass that is trying to grow! 

The only real downside to this is that you are then going to have to scarify your lawn at a later date (usually around 2 weeks later) to remove the moss and weeds that have been killed by the lawn feed. Not only is this going to create more work for you, but it is also going to leave your lawn a little bare afterwards (but this is so worth it from our point of view for the improvements in your lawn in the long run!). 

The Science 

Lots of ingredients combine together to make different lawn feeds, but there are going to be three main ingredients that you need to look out for. The different levels of these ingredients will determine the benefits that you will see from your lawn, so it is important to be clued up! 

  • Nitrogen (N) – helps with thickness and colour
  • Phosphorus (P) – supports healthy root growth to improve overall growth
  • Potassium – (K) – provides the grass with extra strength and helps to reduce the chance of disease 

When looking at the ingredients of your lawn feed you will receive information on the weight of these ingredients in the overall feed. These will be given as a ratio in the order above which makes it much easier to compare. For example, 15-4-3 will be 15% nitrogen, 4% phosphorus and only 3% potassium. Comparing these figures when you are choosing the best lawn feed will help you to purchase a type of feed that is going to be able to target the problems with your lawn. 

TOP TIP: A generic lawn feed is going to have average levels of everything, so if you are unsure of the type of lawn feed that you need then we would recommend opting for this to help give your lawn a “boost”. However, if you know what your lawn is lacking then look out for a more specific lawn feed. 

Seasonal Lawn Feeds

There are generic lawn feeds that you will be able to purchase and use at any time of the year and they will be able to help your lawn to grow healthily. However, at different times of year and when your lawn is at different stages in its growth, it is going to need different nutrients and vitamins to help it on its way! 

If you are really wanting the best for your lawn then you need a seasonal lawn feed that is going to be able to support your lawn at different points through the year. For example, after a particularly cold spell (such as after winter) your lawn is going to need more phosphorus to help it grow in strength. Whereas autumnal lawn feeds that are helping to prepare your lawn for a damper, colder winter by being low in nitrogen to focus on the other nutrients that your lawn needs to stay protected from diseases. 

NOTE: Some lawn feeds will ONLY be able to be used at specific times of year! Make sure to check for this so that you are not causing damage to your lawn!

Concentration and Application Rate

If you are anything like us then you will be wanting the best value for money that you can find, whilst still getting the best lawn feed as well! One of the best ways to achieve this is by looking at the application rate and the concentration ratio (for lawn feeds that are water soluble). 

The application rate is the amount of lawn feed that you are going to need to use to cover each square metre. The lower the application rate, the less feed that you are going to use at one time. Equally, the concentration ratio is the amount of lawn feed that you are going to need in relation to the amount of water. Some only need one capful for every 4 litres of water, so you find yourself saving money in the long run. 

TOP TIP: Don’t forget to use your own judgement when looking at how much lawn feed your grass needs and how often. If you have a lawn that is in good condition and you simply want to keep it that way, then you will need considerably less lawn feed than with a brown, dry lawn! Overfeeding your lawn could actually cause more damage than good! 

Best Budget – Westland Safelawn Lawn Feed

Westland 20400353 SafeLawn Child and Pet Friendly Natural Lawn Feed 150 m2, Green, 5.25 kg
  • With SafeLawn children and pets need not be excluded from treated areas
  • The grass seed will germinate to fill gaps and help create a lusher, thicker lawn; as the grass becomes stronger it will start to outcompete weed and moss
  • Westland SafeLawn is an organic fertiliser with added lawn seed, made with only natural ingredients
  • This pack will cover 150 m2 (the equivalent of 15 car parking spaces)

Last update on 2024-12-09 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

The Best Lawn Feeds

If you are serious about achieving the best lawn in the neighbourhood, then it goes without saying that you are going to need the best lawn feeds to go with it. Here are some of the additional features that you need to consider to have the lawn of your dreams. 

  • Turf hardening – Sadly, lawns are susceptible to a number of diseases which can really affect the look of your lawn. Not only this, but once your lawn has been damaged badly by disease it is almost always impossible to repair. Look out for lawn feeds that come with turn hardening which will help to prevent diseases such as brown patch and powdery mildew.
  • Non-Toxic – If you have pets or children then we would definitely recommend choosing a lawn feed that is going to be non-toxic and advertised as being pet and child friendly. You will tend to find that these will be organic fertilisers that don’t have any harsh chemicals involved. Also, check for the speed at which the lawn feed will soak into the lawn – the quicker the better so that the chemicals aren’t near your little loved ones! 
  • Spreader – If you are wanting to ensure an even, consistent spread of your lawn feed then look out for models that come with a spreader. These are going to be more expensive initially but will then save you money in the long run. 
  • Absorption speed – Living in the UK, you can never guarantee when you will next be due rain! Therefore, we would always recommend checking the absorption rate as if you have a fertiliser that takes a couple of days to soak up through the roots then you could find it being wasted in a rainstorm! 
  • Application and results rate – The best lawn feeds are going to need infrequent applications (maybe a couple of times a year depending on your lawn) but are also going to show quick results! Check for the time that your lawn feed claims that you will be able to see a difference, this could be as little as a week! 
  • Measuring cap – It sounds obvious but to use the right amount of lawn feed you are going to need to be able to measure it out. Save yourself a lot of hassle and look out for caps that come with measuring levels so that you can quickly see how much you need! 
  • No-scorch – If you are a beginner to lawn feeds and worried about scorching your lawn and causing more damage than is already there, then look out for “scorch free” lawn feeders. These are designed so that even if you put too much lawn feed down, your grass will not become scorched! However, the compromise to this feature is that the lawn feeds are therefore not always as strong and effective!

Best of the Rest

Sale
Nature Safe Fertilizer Lawn Feed & Seed 10kg, Brown, G60122
  • 100% organic based plant material mixed with lawn seed
  • Feeds and seeds your lawn
  • No Chemicals
  • No animal by-products
  • Pollinator (bees & butterflies) Safe

Last update on 2024-12-09 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

No products found.

Aftercut 20400322 Lawn Thickener Feed and Seed, 150 m2, 5.25 kg, Green
  • This product is a duel action product designed to fill in gaps and improve the health of your existing lawn
  • Safe to use in areas visited by children and pets
  • This pack can be used to refill an Aftercut Thickener Even-Flo Spreader
  • This pack will cover 150 m2 (the equivalent of 15 car parking spaces)
  • Note: Packaging may Vary

Last update on 2024-12-09 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Getting The Best From Your Lawn

If you are wanting your lawn to be the envy of all of your neighbours then it may take more than just lawn feed!

It may be worth considering a lawn spreader if you have a particularly large lawn, as this will make it much easier when you are spreading the lawn feed to make sure that you are spreading accurately and easily. We would also recommend looking at either lawn spikers or lawn aerators so that you can increase the drainage and airflow through your lawn.

If you are struggling with weeds on your lawn then it could be that you need a more specialised lawn feed. We found some of the best weed killers for lawns that may be up to the task!

Frequently Asked Questions

Will lawn feeds be able to get rid of worm casts?

Yes! Some of the best lawn feeds are specifically designed to be able to remove or at least significantly reduce worm casts! 

How do I use lawn feed?

Once you have found a lawn feed that is going to be best for your garden then the next step is to set about actually using it. Each manufacturer will have different instructions that you will need to follow, however the general idea is that you calculate the amount that you need (whether this be from concentration to add to water or as a solid lawn feed). Once you have done this, you simply need to add your lawn feed to a spreader, and then move across your lawn making a sweeping motion to ensure that all areas of your lawn are covered only ONCE. Many lawn feeds will then recommend that you water your lawn 24/48 hours later to ensure that it has all soaked into the ground.

When should I use lawn feed?

Most lawn feed manufacturers will recommend using lawn feed four times a year. This should normally be once in early Spring when your lawn is just getting ready to start growing again, twice through the summer and then once when you get towards the end of autumn and you are finishing cutting your lawn for the year.

  • Performance
  • Features
  • Ergonomics
  • Value
About Thomas Paxton 368 Articles
Hey there, I'm Thomas Paxton, your Tool Guru with a Twist! I've been knee-deep in the world of tools since I was a little tinkerer in my dad's shed. Now, I'm running my own website where I share my passion for tools and gardening products through buyers guides and insightful tips. I've got the knowledge and experience to break down complex concepts into simple, easy-to-understand language. I purchased Tools Review from Mike Jones at the start of 2023, he has done a sterling job of building the site and I hope I can continue in his success! When I'm not writing guides, you'll find me in my garden or garage, putting my skills to work and pushing the boundaries of creativity. So, whether you're a pro or just starting out, join me on this adventure, and let's conquer DIY projects together!

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.