Feeding plants

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All living things need food and water and plants are no exception. They mix together plant foods, water from the soil, carbon dioxide from the air, and with the aid of sunlight on the green leaves and stem cells, make sugar in a process called photosynthesis. This sugar has energy to produce leaves, stems, roots, flowers and fruit.

During this process they release oxygen which we all need to live.

Plant foods

It is therefore important that plant food is available as follows:

Main plant foods

Nitrogen for leaf growth Phosphates for root development Potash to produce flowers and fruit

Trace Elements

Calcium, Boron, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese

By applying a range of garden fertilizers the amounts required by plants are assured and our plants reach perfection and perform to their full potential during their lives.

As liquid in the soil is important to hold plant foods, adding organic materials such as well-rotted farmyard manure, garden compost, spent mushroom compost or a proprietory planting compost is important so always making the foods as liquids readily available.

Drainage

Poorly drained soils will prevent plants from absorbing the food they require by water logging their roots, therefore good soil preparation by digging or the introduction of drainage may be necessary.

Fertilizers

Fertilizers can be broken down into two groups: Inorganic Those manufactured by industry from a chemical process or mined.

Today these are formulated into compound fertilizers that over a period of time release a balanced amount of Nitrogen, phosphates and Potash. There are straight fertilizers that supply one of the elements only and these can be used to correct any specific deficiency.

They are applied as a dry powder or in granule form during the Spring, at the manufacturers recommended rate. Some act quickly, others have a slow-release formulation releasing small amounts over a long period.

Some can be applied as both a dry or liquid fertilizer with the liquids applied from late Spring to early Summer.

Applying at the correct time is important to avoid wastage and damage.

Organic fertilizers

These are derived from once living vegetable or animal material such as bonemeal and fish blood and bone. In the main they are slow-acting so careful consideration to the date of application time is important.

On some soils it may be necessary to apply a specific fertilizer to correct a deficiency within the soil. Some specific plants need tailored cocktails of fertilizers and roses are a good example.

	Incorporating fertilizer in the soil with the use of a hoe
	Water well after applying a dry fertilizer.

Applying fertilizer

Fertilizers can be applied either as dry powders or granules in the autumn as with bonemeal or in the spring with the remainder.

Alternatively a liquid fertilizer can be used in late spring and summer.

Rules for feeding

1. Check the application rates, uses and times on the packaging.

2. Apply at the right time to avoid wastage and maximise the benefit to the plant.

3. Ensure adequate soil preparation ensuring it is well-drained but still retains moisture.

4. Keep all fertilizers out of the reach of children.