General
4 min read
How to choose a selective herbicide
Selective herbicides kill broadleaf weeds without taking the grass with them. Choice depends on whether you're treating turf or grazed grassland.
Advice & growing guides
Practical, UK-specific advice on seed, lawns, wildflowers, fertiliser and groundcare — from a family-run supplier since 2004.
UK sowing & feeding calendar
A quick season-by-season guide for grass seed, wildflowers and feed in British conditions. Timings shift with the weather and your region — get in touch if you want a site-specific plan.
Spring
Mar – May
- Sow new lawns and overseed thin or worn turf once soil reaches ~8–10°C
- Apply a spring/summer feed to drive density and colour
- Spring-sow wildflower mixes (autumn is ideal, but spring works with moisture)
- Prepare seedbeds: cultivate, rake to a fine tilth and firm before sowing
Summer
Jun – Aug
Now
- Keep new sowings moist — water lightly and often in dry spells
- Spot-treat weeds and feed established lawns to hold colour
- Cut wildflower meadows after the first flush has set seed
- Plan and order seed for the prime late-summer sowing window
Autumn
Sep – Nov
- Best window of the year to sow lawns and overseed — warm soil, reliable rain
- Sow native wildflower mixes for strong spring establishment
- Switch to a low-nitrogen autumn/winter feed to toughen the sward
- Scarify, aerate and topdress before growth slows
Winter
Dec – Feb
- Hold off sowing — cold, wet soils give poor, patchy germination
- Test soil and plan nutrition and seed mixes for the season ahead
- Service spreaders and sprayers ready for spring
- Keep off frosted or waterlogged turf to avoid damage
Latest guides
General
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How to choose slope stabilisation matting
Coir mesh, coir blankets and jute netting all hold soil on a slope while vegetation takes over, but they last for very different lengths…
General
5 min read
How to choose a slow release fertiliser
Slow release grades run from 12 weeks to 6 months. Match the release window and granule size to your turf before comparing NPK numbers.
General
5 min read
How to choose sports ground and golf grass seed
Winter pitch, golf green, cricket square or fairway: match the mowing height and wear pattern of the sport before the species mix.
General
4 min read
How to choose a spring and summer turf fertiliser
The main choice is quick or slow release nitrogen, then matching granule and cutting height to your turf, from greens to general lawns.
General
3 min read
How to choose tree stakes, canes and cross bars
The right support depends on the tree, not the budget: standards need double staking, whips need something a lot lighter.
General
4 min read
How to choose a total (glyphosate) herbicide
All three of Phoenix Amenity's total herbicides are glyphosate. The real choice is concentration and how it fits your spraying window.
General
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How to choose a tree anchoring system
Staking above ground or anchoring below it: how to choose, and how to size a Platipus system for a rootballed or containerised tree.
General
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How to choose tree and shrub planting products
Tree guards, shrub shelters, stakes and mulch mats: what actually protects new planting, and what just adds cost.