What to Know About Selecting Fertiliser for Your Garden

When you are just starting to create a garden, there are many things that you will need to learn. Different plants need different conditions to thrive. Fertiliser is something that is required when it comes to ensuring the plants get sufficient nutrients. But how do you choose which fertiliser is best for each plant?

There are so many types of fertilisers and you may see many advertisements claiming that certain brands can transform your garden. But you need to understand what is actually included in the fertiliser. Fertilisers are able to provide nutrients to the plants that they may not be able to find in the soil. The main elements that will be fed through fertiliser are phosphorous, potassium and nitrogen. Phosphorous is used to encourage root growth. For example black grit contains 8% phosphorous and it can be used in low fertility acid soil. Nitrogen is a common element in many fertilisers. It helps the plants to have thick and dense leaves and you will be able to see rich green once the plants receive this element. Potassium works with nitrogen to improve the strength of roots and leaves. The plant will have better resistance to wear and tear, cold weather and diseases.

There are many places where you can buy fertiliser. You can visit a garden centre to find a fertiliser that carries these elements. The percentages of the elements included will differ according to different fertilisers. You can also ask the garden centre operatives about which type of fertiliser is best for your plants as they will have a lot of experience in the subject. Make sure that you read the packaging of the fertiliser to understand the percentage of the elements included. If you live in a country that experiences seasons, you need to prepare the plants for winter. You can use a fertiliser blend that has more potassium for this. You need to understand what each plant needs. And this can be determined by considering the time of year, the climate of your region, type of soil in your garden and the types of plants that you have. You can check online regarding the fertiliser requirements of the plants. 

The fertilisers will also come in different forms. There are granular fertilisers that can be fast or slow releasing. Granular fertilisers are commonly used because they are easy to work with and they have a long shelf life. Make sure that you reach the instructions given in the package. You need to know when to use the slow and fast release types. The fast release types are better suited for colder weather when the plants need nutrients faster. These are cheaper than slow release granules. The slow release granules will release nutrients to the plant for about 6 months maximum. The duration will depend on temperature and moisture. There are also liquid fertilisers. Then there are organic and synthetic fertilisers. The blends of fertilisers will sometimes specify a season according to the requirements of the plants.

 

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