Fertiliser Storage and Shelf Life
The shelf life of fertilizers can vary widely based on factors such as the type of fertilizer, storage conditions, and packaging. Here's a general guideline for some common types of fertilisers:
Granular or Pelleted Fertilisers
These are typically very stable and have a longer shelf life compared to liquid fertilizers. If stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area, granular fertilizers can remain effective for several years. However, over time, they may lose some of their nutrient content due to volatilisation, so it's recommended to use them within the first two years.
Powdered Fertilisers
Most powdery fertiliser is of the weed and feed variety. They will take on moisture very quickly so keep well sealed. This also means they may have a limited shelf life and may have a use by date.
Soluble Fertiliser
Soluble fertiliser is also very prone to absorbing moisture which is why ours comes in a resealable tub. If kept sealed they should be good for at least 2 years.
Liquid Fertilisers
Liquid fertilisers tend to have a shorter shelf life compared to granular fertilizers. Depending on the formulation and storage conditions, liquid fertilizers can last anywhere from 6 months to a year. They are more prone to degradation due to exposure to air and sunlight, which can cause nutrient breakdown. Most seaweed products will only last 12 months once the container is opened.
To Maximize the Shelf Life of Fertilisers
- Store them in their original, tightly sealed packaging to minimize exposure to air and moisture.
- Keep fertilizers in a cool, dry, and dark place. High temperatures and humidity can accelerate the breakdown of nutrients.
- Avoid storing fertilizers near sources of heat, direct sunlight, or moisture
- Do not allow liquid products to freeze
- Regularly inspect stored fertilizers for signs of clumping, caking, or changes in texture, as these could indicate deterioration.
It's important to note that as fertilizers age, their nutrient content may degrade, affecting their effectiveness. If you're unsure about the quality of your fertilizer, consider conducting a simple test on a small area of lawn before applying to the whole area. If in doubt, it's better to replace old fertilizers with fresh ones to ensure optimal plant growth and health.
Please do not discard fertiliser into drains or near water courses. Most household recycling centers can take unwanted fertiliser.
More Lawn Food Do's and Don'ts
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Follow a few simple rules to apply your lawn fertiliser and get the best results from your grass whether it's a spring, summer or an autumn feed
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For convenience you can fertilise the seeded lawn area on the day of sowing however, due to changing weather patterns this may not always be best.
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Lawn Food Do's and Don'ts
You can save time and money and get a better result if you use the correct fertiliser for your lawn. Adjust for these and your grass is 90% of the way there.
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The soil in your lawn controls the amount of fertiliser, air and water to the grass roots, therefore sandy and poor soils should be fed more than clay soils
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Lawn Food Do's and Don'ts
Knowing what to use to feed your grass in spring can make a big difference to your lawn whilst saving you time and money.
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Lawn Food Do's and Don'ts
In summer you can use a granular or liquid fertiliser. However, the conditions for application are very important during the warmer and dryer summer months.
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Lawn Food Do's and Don'ts
Autumn fertiliser needs to be able to support the grass nutritionally, give maximum colour to make use of lower autumn light levels and promote deeper roots.
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Lawn Food Do's and Don'ts
There is plenty of root growth in winter as the lawn soil at root depth is invariably warmer than the air. Keeping the roots fed means a healthy resilient lawn.
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Lawn Food Do's and Don'ts
Clay soil tends to be heavy and dense, with poor drainage and good nutrient retention. Your lawn feed should take this into consideration.
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Lawn Food Do's and Don'ts
Sandy soil tends to drain quickly and lacks essential nutrients, so the best lawn fertilizer should provide a generous level of prime nutrients to compensate.
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Seaweed promotes health, goodness and biological activity within the grass and the soil producing a greener, stronger and more disease resistant lawn.
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Lawn Food Do's and Don'ts
Using a proven mix of nutrients you can rapidly enhance the green in your lawn in less than a day. Ideal for application between seasonal feeds or as a standalone fast green-up before an event.
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Lawn Food Do's and Don'ts
Liquid feeding of the lawn is suitable from late spring to early autumn during the main growth period in warmer weather.
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Lawn Food Do's and Don'ts
Here are two simple ways to use weed killer and soluble or granular lawn fertiliser that is easy for you, safe for the grass and deadly for the weeds.
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Lawn Food Do's and Don'ts
When spreading fertiliser on the lawn you need to do two simple things otherwise you'll damage the grass: spread the correct amount and put it on evenly.
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Lawn Food Do's and Don'ts
There is only one way to spread fertiliser on your grass safely and evenly and that is with a rotary or broadcast spreader; not by hand or with a drop spreader
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Lawn Food Do's and Don'ts
Watering-in a fertiliser treatment is necessary for fine powdery products such as weed and feed so try using a fertiliser that doesn’t need watering in!
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Lawn Food Do's and Don'ts
There are three factors that control how long fertiliser takes to work. The availability of moisture, the temperature and the type of fertiliser.
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Lawn Food Do's and Don'ts
Lawn fertiliser may not completely dissolve in to the grass for a variety of reasons. Most of them are good and better for a healthy lawn!
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Lawn Food Do's and Don'ts
Use a granular or pelleted feed without weed killer or iron that is slow-release. These settle deep into the grass pretty much out of reach of dogs and cats.
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Lawn Food Do's and Don'ts
Aftercut is very similar to ‘weed and feed’. There are those with weed killer and those without. Do not use the one with weed killer on a regular basis.
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Lawn Food Do's and Don'ts
'Weed and feed' is a clever lawn care idea. The problem is, for most people it doesn't work leaving stripes, burnt grass and even bigger weeds