| Feeding your plants |  |
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| Like other living things plants need food and water not only to survive but flourish. Plants absorb nutrients from the soil, carbon dioxide from the air and with the aid of sunlight convert this into energy to produce leaves, roots, stems, flowers and fruit. During this process plants also release oxygen, which is so vital to us.
Most garden plants such as bedding plants, basket plants, climbing plants, herbaceous perennials, shrubs, conifers have very minimal requirements and ofeten benefit from a general purpose plant food. Fruit trees, vegetable plants, herbs and fruit bushes can require more specific fertilisers to help ensure they produce healthy fruit. |
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| Different types of plant food | | There are three main types of plant food: | • | Nitrogen promotes leaf growth. | | • | Phosphates help root development. | | • | Potassium (Potash) helps produce flowers and fruit, and makes fruit taste better. It also increases winter hardiness. |
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| These foods are available in a number of forms: | • | Bonemeal - A good all round fertiliser that releases its nutrients slowly and is a good source of phosphate. It is best applied to the soil in the autumn. | | • | Chicken manure pellets - A balanced fertiliser that can be spread around borders or on the surface compost of container plants from spring to autumn. | | • | Fish, blood & bone - Best used as a general balanced fertiliser in spring as nutrients are released slowly during the growing season. | | • | Garden compost - This is formed from organic waste such as grass cuttings and vegetable waste. It contains a good range of nutrients but is often high in nitrogen. Can be applied as a mulch or dug into the soil before planting. | | • | Growmore - A balanced processed fertiliser that releases its nutrients over a short period and can be applied throughout the growing season. | | • | Liquid seaweed extract - Contains nitrogen, phosphate and potash and is best applied to the leaves and soil around plants when they are actively growing. | | • | Liquid and powdered general feeds - There are a number of these quick acting, balanced feeds which are diluted with water and can be applied to the roots and leaves of most plants to give them a fast acting boost. Usually applied from spring to early autumn. | | • | Mushroom compost - Contains a range of nutrients but has high levels of calcium and so is not suitable for acid loving plants such as rhododendrons and azaleas. It can be applied as a mulch or dug into the soil before planting. | | • | Sulphate of Ammonia - Contains concentrated nitrogen and is best applied to plants in early spring to encourage growth or at other times if plants are showing signs of Nitrogen deficiency (usually a yellowing of the leaves). | | • | Sulphate of Iron - This is for acid loving plants and helps adjust the pH balance of the soil. | | • | Sulphate of potash - A good source of potassium and particularly useful in encouraging plants to flower and then produce good fruit. | | • | Tomato food - Generally available as a concentrated liquid it is a good source of potassium and is used to help plants produce healthy better fruit. It can be used on a wide range of fruiting plants, especially those grown in containers or restricted soil areas such as a greenhouse. | | • | Well-rotted manure - Has similar properties to garden compost. | | • | Wood ash - contains a small amount of potassium and should be forked or dug into the soil. |
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| How to use plant food | | | • | Choose a plant food that is formulated to the specific needs of the plant you are feeding and to the time of year. The general rule is that you apply a fast acting balanced fertiliser such as growmore in spring and autumn or a longer lasting one such as bonemeal in the autumn. Fast acting liquid feeds such as Tomato food, MiracleGro or Phostrogen are applied when the plants are actively growing in spring and summer. | | • | Always check the instructions on the packaging to make sure you apply the food at the correct rates and intervals as it is possible to overload plants with too much feed. | | • | Well-rotted manure or compost is best applied either in early spring or in the autumn. A 5-7.5cm (2-3") layer is best which can either be left on the surface as a mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weeds or dug into the soil if using for vegetables or for part of a planting mix for new border plants. | | • | When using liquid fertilisers always make sure you wash the watering can or applicator out well after use. | | • | For your own safety, always wear gloves when using fertilisers and avoid breathing in vapour or dust. | | • | Always store fertilisers in a cool, dry and preferably dark place away from children and animals. |
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| Drainage | | Poorly drained soils will prevent plants from absorbing the nutrients they need so it is essential to prepare the ground well before planting. If necessary you may need to consider additional drainage but quite often simply adding grit and well-rotted manure or compost will improve conditions. |
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