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Should I fertilise plants in the garden?
Should I fertilise plants in the garden?
This is an interesting question, one which confuses many people.
This page will try to answer the question, while also pointing out some issues with fertilising and types of fertiliser.
There is no actual need to fertilise existing established garden plants because the soil normally contains enough nutrients for the plants to use.
What we suggest is to add some well-rotted compost from your compost heap to the garden borders each year.
New plants and recently planted plants.
It is a different matter with new plants and or recently planted plants, because these need a little more care.
For new plants, follow these instructions.
Prepare a hole in the ground for the plant, then sprinkle a little bonemeal or slow release fertiliser in the bottom of this hole (about a teaspoon full should be sufficient).
Next, put the plant in the hole and fill around the plant with clean soil and push soil down around the plant with either your hands or feet. Next, give the plant a good watering.
That’s it, you have planted a plant.
There is no need to add any more fertiliser for a while, after about 3 months give the plant a little fertiliser mixed with water according to the fertiliser instructions on the packet.
That’s it. No need to add any further fertiliser.
Maintain the plants as per your plant maintenance schedule, and remember to prune or dead-head after flowers have died.
Plants in tubs.
Plants in tubs will need fertiliser, but only once every two weeks. Make up a mix of fertiliser according to the instructions on the packet and water the plants with the mix. Never over do fertiliser. Adding more fertiliser will not make plants grow faster, it will cause them to die.
Perils of using too much fertiliser.
Using too much fertiliser can cause permanent damage to plants because it can cause a build-up of salts in the soil. It can cause the PH value of the soil to change or increase the salinity of the soil.
However, too much fertiliser can cause the plant stress, and because of the stress this makes the plant more susceptible to disease or pests.
Remember, if you fertilise plants correctly, they will reward you with their beauty.
Image copyright Vera Kratochvil, available from here as a free download.