Fertiliser cheat sheet

Ever walked around the fertiliser aisle at your local garden centre and felt overwhelmed with the vast array of different fertilisers? Choosing the right fertiliser does not need to feel hard if you follow these simple ideas.

Looking at the different fertilisers on the market can make you feel that we need to buy a separate fertiliser for your camellias and another one for your roses and another for this plant and another for another plant. This is not true! If you had an extensive rose garden, then yes purchasing a specific rose fertiliser is a good idea, but if you have a few roses planted around your garden mixed in with other plants then you really don’t need to do this. For most home gardens you can get by with a good quality general garden fertiliser and a liquid fertiliser for giving certain plants a quick boost.

Before fertilising your garden, you need to consider if your plants really need them. For example, if you have a dense healthy established hedge then it most likely doesn’t need any additional nutrients. Also consider the time of the year. I routinely spread fertiliser when the uptake of nutrients from the plant’s roots is going to be most effective. In Melbourne this is in early Autumn when the soil can be depleted from the rapid growth during Spring and Summer, and the other time is late Winter when plants are starting to come out of their dormancy. Many people only start fertilising in the middle of Spring and as a result miss a few weeks when the plants are ready for a feed. Fertilising in late winter allows you to maximise growth over the whole growing season.

Organic vs non-organic fertilises

Both are effective in feeding your plants, however the bonus with organic fertilisers is that they improve soil structure by encouraging worms and microbial activity which subsequently improves draining, water holding capacity and plant uptake of nutrients. If you’re super keen adding compost to your soil and an organic mulch that breaks down will minimise the need for additional fertilisers.

Liquid fertilisers

Think of liquid fertilisers as a quick fix for your plants. Some plants are heavy feeders and applying a liquid fertiliser fortnightly during the growing season is a great way to ensure they put on a show. I use liquid fertilisers as an extra boost for annual plants, vegetables and plants in pots.

I’m hoping this is all helpful information for you. If possible, try to plant drought tolerant plants that don’t require additional fertiliser. There are lots of options available. If you require any further advice, send me a message!