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Phosphorus, potash, calcium, magnesium and sulphur should be applied according to soil test (note that there should always be less magnesium than calcium in the bulli and that superphosphate should be not be applied too liberally because the sulphur it contains will promote crumbling).

Nitrogen is applied according to demand. It should be applied regularly through the season - the smaller and more often the dressings are applied, the better. Nitrogen stimulates growth, darkens the green colour of the grass and promotes succulence. As a general rule, no more that about 6 g N/m2/month should be applied and around 3 to 4 g/m2/month should be sufficient (this translates to 15 to 20 g Ammonium sulphate or 11 to 14 g LAN). If too much is applied, the grass will become too soft and will wear poorly.

Nitrogen is generally applied as LAN, but Ammonium sulphate can be applied if sulphur is in short supply. A slow release form of nitrogen fertiliser can be useful in that it provides the grass with a more regular supply of nitrogen.

If the pH level is above 7, uptake of micronurtrients (Copper, Manganese, Zinc, Boron and Molybdenum) will be inhibited. To reduce the pH of bulli is almost impossible, so in these circumstances, one should rather make use of foliar feeds such as Supafeed to provide the necessary nutrients and to spray it directly onto the turf with a knapsack sprayer at least twice in the season.

Note:

(i) Phosphorus promotes root growth. It normally needs to be applied only once a year, in early spring. Where wintergrass in a potential problem, it should not be applied in the autumn as application at this time will promote the growth of this weed.
(ii) Potash promotes hardiness and so is important for increasing the 'wearability' of the turf. It should be applied regularly through the season (perhaps in three applications - early spring, mid-summer and in autumn, remembering that excessive levels of potash will reduce the strength of the bulli).
(iii) nitrogen promotes growth and succulence. Excessive amounts decrease the tolerance of the grass to wear and disease, and if applied too late in the summer and autumn can increase wintergrass problems where this weed is a potential problem.

It is important to note that the proper way to manage fertilising is to have the soil analysed each year. The analyses should then be interpreted and an appropriate fertiliser programme, based on these analyses, worked out.

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