Yes, it's recommended that you fertilise your lawn after mowing it to improve the effectiveness of your fertiliser. Mowing before you use fertiliser makes it easier for the fertiliser to penetrate the soil, which allows your grass's root system to absorb the nutrients quickly. Grasscylcying takes care of 20% of your lawn fertiliser, according to the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, but granular or liquid fertiliser is still crucial for lawn maintenance.
Mowrator manufactures industry-leading remote control lawn mowers that help mow the lawn before applying your fertiliser. We have written this article to help you understand the best time to fertilise grass, the difference between granular and liquid fertiliser, and more.
Key Takeaways
- Mowing before fertilising helps the fertiliser penetrate the soil more effectively, ensures even distribution, and prevents debris from blocking nutrient absorption.
- After mowing, waiting 24 to 48 hours before fertilising is best to allow the grass to recover. Mowing too soon after fertilising can waste nutrients and damage your lawn.
- Granular fertiliser provides slow, long-lasting nutrient release and is cost-effective, while liquid fertiliser offers quicker absorption and uniform nutrient distribution but requires more frequent applications.
Should You Mow Before or After Fertilising?
You should mow before you fertilise your lawn rather than afterwards. There are several benefits if you mow your lawn before spreading fertiliser, including:
- Mowing opens your grass canopy and allows more fertiliser to reach the soil.
- Mowing removes clumped grass, which helps fertiliser spread more evenly.
- Mowing removes any debris that would stop your fertiliser from reaching the soil.
What Happens If You Mow After Fertilising?
If you mow after fertilising, many of the necessary nutrients your lawn needs will likely be wasted. Fertiliser needs time to penetrate the soil and absorb into your grassroots, but mowing too soon after applying it disrupts this process. Mowing after fertilising can also damage your grass and prevent proper soil penetration.
If fertiliser sticks to your lawn mower blades when you mow, it can cause your grass to brown. If fertiliser stays on the grass blades instead of absorbing into the soil, it can cause fertiliser burn and weaken your lawn's overall health.
How Long Should I Wait to Fertilise My Lawn After Mowing it?
You should only apply fertiliser 24 to 48 hours after mowing your lawn. Mowing stresses your turf, so this period allows your grass to recover from the stress of mowing. Once your grass has had time to recover, it will be better able to absorb the nutrients without waste or risk of fertiliser burn.
It's best to wait 48 hours after mowing cool-season grasses. While most Australian lawns have warm-season grasses, cool-season grasses require more time to recover from the stress of mowing. This is because cool-season grasses have to contend with the warmer climate.
How Long After Fertilising Should Your Mow?
You should wait at least a week to allow the nutrients to absorb into the soil fully. Mowing and fertilising work best when your lawn is actively growing (from spring to autumn). If you choose to fertilise after your mow is out of the growing season, your lawn care efforts will be wasted.
What is the Best Way to Apply Fertiliser to Your Lawn?
The best way to apply fertiliser is by evenly distributing it across your lawn, which minimises uneven coverage and maximises your chances for a healthy lawn. There are several ways to incorporate fertiliser into your lawn, including foliar feeding, top dressing, and base dressing.
Foliar Feeding
Foliar feeding involves spraying your liquid fertiliser directly onto your plants or grass. Feeding fertiliser to your plants delivers the micronutrients quickly, creating a more vibrant lawn faster. If you plan on foliar feeding, you should use a sprayer designed for foliar feeding and aim to spray during the cooler parts of the day to minimise evaporation.
Top Dressing
Top dressing is the most suitable fertiliser for lawns and gardens. It involves using fertiliser directly onto the surface of your soil without incorporation. For the most effective top dressing, ensure your fertiliser is soluble and use a spreader to cover large areas.
Base Dressing
Base dressing is the ideal fertilising method for planting new grass or plants. As you're planting your seeds or sowing new sod, you also include the fertiliser into the growing medium. By base dressing, you can jumpstart your lush lawn as soon as possible and help ensure nutrients are readily available for your newly developing roots.
What's the Difference Between Granular and Liquid Fertiliser?
Granular and liquid fertilisers have different application methods, absorption rates, nutrient consistencies, and costs. Granular fertilisers are slow-release, last longer, and are cheaper in bulk, making them suitable for long-term crop health. Liquid fertilisers offer quick nutrient release and are absorbed more rapidly by plants, providing a more uniform nutrient distribution. Take a look at this table that outlines the significant differences between the two types of fertilisation:
| Differences | Granular Fertiliser | Liquid Fertiliser |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Applied using a spreader (broadcast or drop) for even coverage | Applied with a sprayer or hose attachment for easy, consistent application |
| Absorption | Slow-release: nutrients are absorbed gradually as they dissolve in soil moisture | Quick-release nutrients are immediately available for absorption by grassroots |
| Nutrient Consistency | It may have uneven nutrient distribution; each pellet can vary in nutrient content | Uniform nutrient distribution: every drop contains the same nutrient ratio, ensuring even coverage |
| Cost | Generally more affordable, especially when purchased in bulk; longer shelf life | Typically more expensive per application; costs can add up due to more frequent applications needed |
| Frequency | Requires fewer applications (usually 2–3 times a year) due to slow-release properties | Requires more frequent applications (every few weeks) to maintain nutrient levels, especially during active growth periods |
To fertilise after mowing, you need to mow your lawn, and Mowrator has the perfect lawn mower. Our Mowrator S1 Remote Control Lawn Mower 4WD offers convenience and power in a durable package that handles slopes and rugged terrain. Avoid the stress and strain of mowing your lawn and easily manage your lawn care — shop your lawn mower today.
FAQs on Can You Fertilise Your Lawn After You Mow?
What is the best time to fertilise your lawn?
The best time to fertilise your lawn in Australia is during early spring (September to October), when the grass begins to wake from dormancy, allowing for a light application of fertiliser to promote growth. Additionally, a second application is recommended in late autumn (April to May) to prepare the lawn for winter and enhance its resilience.
How long does it take for grass clippings to go away?
Grass clippings typically take about one month to decompose fully when left on the lawn, depending on environmental conditions such as moisture and temperature. If clippings are finely chopped and spread evenly, they can break down more quickly, returning valuable nutrients to the soil without negatively impacting lawn health.
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