How to Pick Fertilizer Your Plants Actually Need #gardening #tips

Feeding your plants… but are you using the right type? 🌱

Not all fertilisers work the same, because plants don’t “eat” compost. They absorb dissolved mineral ions through their roots. No moisture in the soil? No nutrient uptake.

Here’s where it gets interesting…
💧 Liquid feeds = nutrients are immediately available once diluted. Ideal for rapid correction or when plants are actively growing and flowering.
🧂 Controlled-release / granular feeds = break down gradually, providing steady nutrition over weeks or months — perfect for long-term structural growth.

And those NPK numbers? They represent the ratio of:
🌿 Nitrogen (leaf growth)
🌸 Phosphorus (roots & flowers)
💪 Potassium (strength, resilience & fruit quality)

Too much nitrogen gives you soft, sappy growth and often fewer flowers. Switch to a higher potash feed once buds form, and you’ll see a difference in bloom performance and disease resistance.

Temperature matters too. In cold soil, roots can’t absorb nutrients efficiently — which is why feeding by soil warmth, not calendar date, is the professional approach.

Choosing the right fertiliser depends on what your plant needs — a rapid boost or sustained support.

Get it right, and you’ll see stronger growth, better flowering and healthier plants overall.

Watch the latest episode of Step-by-Step Gardening at Bridgemere Show Gardens.

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David Domoney Chartered Horticulturist
C Hort. FCI Hort. F Wcg. F Cmc.
Fellow of the Warwickshire College Group.
Fellow of the London Colleges of Horticulture.
Recipient of The Prince Edward Award for Excellence in Horticulture.

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