Gardeners can make 'healthier, greener turf' by adding 4 natural items to soil in autumn

Fertilising the grass in autumn will not just keep the lawn healthy but help make it much stronger so it will have a better chance at fighting off pests, diseases and damage from the upcoming cold weather

Garden enthusiasts should note that October is prime time for one of the most crucial gardening tasks: fertilising your lawn. What many may not know, however, is that creating your own fertiliser can be both cost-effective and simple.

Not only does feeding your grass in autumn maintain its health, but it also strengthens it considerably, enhancing its resilience against pests, diseases, and the harshness of the impending cold season.

The Lawn Squad's guru, Allen, has revealed a nifty trick for whipping up a homemade fertiliser using everyday waste items that would typically be discarded.

Read more: ‘Ideal’ height for your grass during cold months to prevent permanent damage

Read more: Gardener's clever trick for banishing green stains from fences and decking in seconds

He explained: "Turning kitchen scraps and yard waste into composted material is both eco-friendly and garden-smart. It's an excellent way to reduce waste and benefit your lawn."

When it comes to concocting a natural lawn fertiliser, coffee grounds are your go-to ingredient, reports the Express.

Spent coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, a vital nutrient for maintaining lush, healthy grass, and they also draw earthworms to the soil, which enhances aeration.

Aerating the lawn is essential as it naturally breaks up the soil, preventing compaction and allowing the roots to absorb more water, nutrients, and oxygen, thus fortifying them.

Allen shared: "Coffee isn't just my morning essential; it's also great for my lawn. Nitrogen-rich coffee grounds can be sprinkled on the lawn or mixed with water (about half a pound of coffee grounds to five gallons of water) to create a nutrient-packed lawn tonic."

Coffee grounds aren't a complete fertiliser on their own but offer a simple way to pep up your grass, and they can be combined with other elements for a nutrient-packed mix.

Don't overlook the value of your lawn clippings these green treasures are chock-full of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium - the essential triumvirate for maintaining lush lawns.

Allen pointed out: "Don't throw away those grass clippings after mowing. They're a great source of nitrogen. Simply leave them on the lawn to decompose and they'll feed your lawn as they break down."

Grass clippings do double duty by not only nourishing your lawn with vital nutrients as they decompose but also serving as a natural mulch to help retain moisture - lessening your need to water your lawn frequently during the autumn months.

Dish soap might not be packed with nutrients, but when mixed in negligible amounts with a natural fertiliser, it can work wonders, allowing the concoction to reach deeper into the earth to keep your turf in top condition.

Allen has a knack for lawn care tips and surprised many by suggesting dish soap, stating: "A surprising addition to DIY lawn fertilizers is dish soap. When used in very small amounts, dish soap can act as a surfactant."

He continued: "It helps other nutrients penetrate the soil more effectively [and] can also help control certain pests."

Besides aiding nutrient absorption and pest control, did you know that sparingly using dish soap can prevent moss invasion in your lawn while keeping aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, and gnats at bay?

However, remember that a little dish soap goes a long way, and overdoing it could damage your green friends like butterflies, bumblebees, or ladybugs.

Garden enthusiasts often reach for Epsom salts, not just for a relaxing bath soak or part of their skincare routine, but as a natural plant booster thanks to its rich sulfur and magnesium content.

Allen explained: "Epsom salts are rich in magnesium and sulfur, two key nutrients that can help seed germination, chlorophyll production, and the absorption of other nutrients."

Boosting your lawn's magnesium levels with Epsom salts can enhance soil quality, making it easier for grass roots to flourish. Come next spring, you'll be rewarded with a lawn that's greener and more lush.

For a greener turf, dissolve about one or two tablespoons of Epsom salt in a gallon of water before sprinkling it on your lawn.

Join RSVP Live's WhatsApp community to get celebrity news and our top stories