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Creating a lush garden is more than just having a green thumb. You’ll need knowledge and skills to make a gardening routine, which includes fertilising – an important factor in nurturing plants to achieve lush and vibrant growth.
This blog provides essential fertilising tips to help you ensure your plants receive the necessary nutrients they need for overall good health. We’ll tackle the importance of plant-soil composition, how to choose the right fertilisers, apply them at the right times and more. By following these fertilising tips, you can create a thriving garden filled with lush, healthy plants.
Tip #1: Understand Your Soil
The composition of your soil directly impacts its ability to provide essential nutrients to your plants, which means that a soil test will take you a long way in fertilising. When you analyse your soil’s pH levels and nutrient content, you gain insights into its current state and what it needs.
Note that plants require nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium – the top three essential nutrients for growth. If you know the levels of these nutrients in your soil, you’ll be able to tailor fertilisation strategies accordingly. Nitrogen is particularly important if you want lush growth, promoting vibrant foliage and greenery.
On the other hand, if you know you identify any deficiencies or imbalances in your soil, you can select the right fertilisers to supplement the difference to ensure optimal conditions for lush plant growth.
Tip #2: Choose the Right Fertiliser
Now that you understand your soil, it will be much easier for you to choose the right fertiliser. But, other than knowing your soil, having specific goals in mind is essential. For instance, if you want lush growth, look for fertilisers with a higher nitrogen content since it’s the primary nutrient that helps promote vibrant, and green foliage.
Additionally, there are fertilisers designed to provide the necessary nutrients for the optimal growth of flower gardens, vegetable patches, or lawns. Take note of this while browsing, or ask the right people about what’s the best fertiliser for your garden. Remember, using the right fertiliser in your routine can make a significant difference in the health and appearance of your plants.
Tip #3: Timing is Key
Timing fertiliser application is very significant when you want to support the health and vigour of your plants.
Generally, early spring is an ideal time to begin fertilising since it’s when plants emerge from dormancy and begin actively growing. During this time, plants have a higher need for nutrients. So, if you provide them with the right fertilisers at this stage, you’re sure to give your plants the boost they need to thrive throughout the growing season.
Make sure to avoid late-season fertilisation, especially with nitrogen-rich fertilisers. Late applications will result in tender growth and plants may not have grown enough to be prepared for winter, meaning they’re more prone to damage. This is why proper timing is key when trying to create a lush garden.
Tip #4: Follow Application Instructions
Not every fertiliser is the same. There are organic, synthetic, granular, liquid, and others. Each of them comes with specific guidelines on how much to use, how often to apply, and the best method of application. Take note of these instructions to avoid over-fertilising or under-fertilising.
Over-fertilising can harm your plants since it causes nutrient burn – plant roots absorb too many salts, leading to brown, scorched leaves and stunted growth. Meanwhile, under-fertilising will result in insufficient nutrients, leading to poor plant health and overall weak growth. This just shows that proper application ensures that plants receive the right amount of nutrients they need without being too much or too little.
A helpful fertilising tip here is to always measure accurately, apply evenly, and follow the recommended schedule to fertilise to achieve the best results.
Tip #5: Consider Slow-Release Fertilisers
Slow-release fertilisers are one of the effective strategies for growing lush greenery. As the name suggests, these types of fertilisers are made to provide a steady, gradual supply of nutrients over an extended period which is actually beneficial for maintaining consistent plant health.
Traditional fertilisers release nutrients quickly and might lead to a surge in growth followed by a decline. This is the opposite of slow-release fertilisers that ensure plants receive a balanced diet throughout a period of time. They are especially helpful for perennials, shrubs, and trees, such as the Teddy Bear Magnolia tree, known to benefit from consistent feeding throughout the growing season.
Nutrient leaching is another issue that slow-release fertilisers address. Nutrient leaching happens when excess nutrients wash away with water, leading to polluted groundwater and wasted resources. Slow-release fertilisers reduce this risk which actually makes them an environmentally friendly choice for gardeners.
Also, as per the previous fertiliser tip, just make sure to follow the application instructions for these types of fertilisers. It’s usually straightforward, meaning it’s easy to add them into your gardening routine and ensure lush plant growth.
Tip #6: Water Properly
Fertilising alone will not show the right results if your plants don’t receive adequate water. After all, watering correctly will help dissolve the fertilisers which allow the nutrients to penetrate the soil and reach plant roots.
So, another fertilising tip for you is to water your plants adequately after applying fertiliser. Initial watering helps activate the fertiliser, ensuring it breaks down and becomes available for plants. Of course, balance is crucial. Overwatering can wash away the nutrients before plants have the time to absorb them, while underwatering can prevent nutrients from reaching the roots effectively.
As always with watering, consistency is key as regular watering will ensure that plants maintain steady growth and continue to absorb nutrients efficiently. Doing the opposite will cause nutrient deficiency, stunted growth, and weak plant health.
You also have to keep your plant’s specific watering needs in mind. Some plants, like the Silver Lady Fern, prefer a consistently moist environment, while others prefer drier conditions. Tailor your water schedule and fertilising routine to your plant’s needs and you’re guaranteed great results.
Tip #7: Monitor and Adjust
If there’s one thing you need to keep in mind when starting a fertilising routine, it’s not going to be perfect in one try. You’ll have to monitor the effects of the fertiliser on your plants. Regularly inspect them for any signs of nutrient deficiencies or excesses. Some of the common indicators may include yellowing leaves, stunted growth, or burnt leaf edges.
When you notice these signs, adjust your fertilisation routine by fine-tuning the type and amount of fertiliser you use. For instance, if there is nitrogen deficiency, you may increase the application of nitrogen-rich fertiliser. But, in the case of over-fertilisation, such as salt buildup on the soil surface or overly lush, floppy growth, try to reduce the frequency or concentration of your feeding.
Again, different plants have different nutrient requirements. If you know the specific needs of your plants, then you can tailor your fertilising approach to meet them. Just stay attentive and responsive to plant conditions and create a flexible fertilising strategy to create a thriving garden.
The fertilising tips in this blog provide you with a guide to support your plant’s growth and health. Start by understanding your soil, finding the right fertilisers, and timing your applications. Then, you might want to consider slow-release fertilisers for a balanced approach and don’t forget about proper watering practices to assist the absorption of nutrients. Finally, monitor and adjust your fertilising routine based on your plant’s responses. You won’t get it on the first try. So, be flexible and have patience like all good gardeners.
Have a few fertilising tips you’d like to share? Head over to the comments or our social media accounts and connect with us! For more gardening tips and other resources, check our Local Botanist blogs for a variety of helpful topics to get you started with creating lush indoor or outdoor gardens. You may also explore our selection of plants and plant pots if you’re looking into adding new greenery to your home.
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