A Gardener’s Guide to Essential Fertilisers 🌱🌿
Using the right fertilisers can transform your garden, promoting strong, healthy plants. Here’s a quick guide to five common fertilisers and how to use them effectively.
🌾 Growmore
Growmore is a well-balanced, all-purpose fertiliser with an equal NPK ratio of 7-7-7, meaning it provides nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in equal measure. This makes it an excellent choice for general plant health and vitality. It supports vigorous leaf and stem growth, strong root development, and healthy flowering or fruiting. It’s especially useful in vegetable plots, flower beds, and for feeding ornamental plants. To use, simply sprinkle it around the base of your plants at the start of the growing season and lightly fork it into the soil to help it break down and become available to the plants.
🩸🐟 Blood, Fish & Bone
Blood, Fish & Bone is a traditional organic fertiliser that slowly releases nutrients into the soil, making it ideal for long-term plant support. Rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, with some calcium, it helps encourage lush leafy growth as well as strong root development. This blend is particularly beneficial for flowers, shrubs, and fruit trees. Apply it around the base of your plants and gently rake it into the topsoil. When using on leafy vegetables like lettuce or spinach, go easy—too much nitrogen can lead to excessive leaf growth at the expense of fruit or root development.
🦴 Bonemeal
Bonemeal is an organic fertiliser derived from ground animal bones and is naturally high in phosphorus. This makes it ideal for promoting healthy, strong root systems. It’s especially effective when planting new trees, shrubs, or flowering bulbs. Bonemeal can be mixed directly into planting holes during autumn or early spring, giving young plants a great start. For existing plants, scatter it around the base and lightly work it into the soil. It’s particularly useful in perennial borders and for encouraging long-term establishment.
🌱 Vermiculite
Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that expands when heated and is highly effective at retaining moisture and nutrients. It’s especially useful in seed sowing and propagation, as it helps keep compost moist while also improving soil structure and aeration. Vermiculite can be mixed into compost for seed trays or added to the soil in beds and pots to help hold water and slowly release nutrients to the roots. It’s also beneficial when transplanting young plants, reducing stress by maintaining even moisture levels.
🌿 Perlite
Perlite is a lightweight, porous volcanic rock that’s been heat-expanded to improve soil drainage and aeration. It’s commonly used in container gardening and seed propagation, particularly where good drainage is essential. By mixing perlite into your compost, you can prevent waterlogging and root rot, especially in small pots and indoor plants. It’s also ideal for rooting cuttings, as it helps maintain airflow around the developing roots while holding just enough moisture to keep them hydrated.
Using the right fertilisers and soil enhancers at the right time will give your plants the boost they need to grow stronger, healthier, and more productive. 🌼🌿