How to Feed your Plants
Plants make their own food in their leaves from sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to create sugars and oxygen. But they also need additional nutrients and trace elements, which they derive from the soil around their roots. Most plants will grow without additional plant food, however they will not thrive and they will not achieve their full potential. It’s easy to get the very best from your plants by ensuring that they have all the nutrients they need and more. Simply feed them at every level to provide for their exacting needs.
Step 1
The first step in feeding your plants is to get the soil right. If they are growing in a container then that’s easy, choose a top quality planting compost that provides feed for several weeks and the correct additional nutrients to support plant growth and plenty of flowers. West+ Container and Basket Compost is a great choice and will feed your plants for up to four months. If your plants are in the garden borders then feed the soil first. Improve the soil before planting with Soil Conditioner or organic Farmyard Manure, and plant with a nutrient rich planting compost. If the plants are already in the border then top dress around them with Soil
Step 2
If you are pushed for time and want to be sure that your plants have the right amount of food, opt for a clever technique that trickle feeds plant food on a regular basis. Choose a slow release fertiliser that gently releases nutrients to your plants over several months. Gro-Sure Slow Release Plant Food granules are activated by warmth, exactly the time when garden plants are growing fast. The granules release food to your plants when they need it the most, all you have to do is to mix them into the soil or compost around your plants.
Step 3
Some gardeners love the routine of weekly or fortnightly feeding; it puts them in touch with their plants. Others just use a liquid feed as a fast food tonic when their plants are ailing or looking hungry. It’s best not to let your plants become stressed from inadequate feeding but when you need to get food into them fast a liquid feed is ideal. For ornamentals choose Gro-Sure All Purpose Plant Food.
Step 4
When you’ve got some specialist plants, they need expert care and attention. That’s why we have formulated a range of dedicated plant foods. Roses are a good example. These heavy feeders have large blooming stems to support and need extra nutrients to perform to their full potential. Choose Westland Rose Food for roses and other flowering shrubs. Acid loving flowerers such as rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias have different needs. For these and other ericaceous plants choose Gro-Sure Ericaceous Plant Food.
Step 5
When you garden plants are also a source of food for the family, consider growing them organically for the healthiest garden produce. Avoid using pesticides and choose organic plant food that feed your plants naturally. The Earth Matters range offers gardeners everything they need for a natural, sustainable alternative. For general plant feeding choose Earth Matters All Purpose Garden Fertiliser or Earth Matters Chicken Manure Pellets.
