FERTILISER GUIDE:

It’s that time of year again so don’t leave your hungry plants waiting. Now is the perfect time to fertilise and help encourage that beautiful Spring growth!

Adding fertiliser to your garden helps keep your plants in optimum health and ensures your blooms, colour and fragrance are the best they can be. Choosing the right type of fertiliser and adding the right amount depends on your soil and the plants you’re growing. ANL have answered all your key questions when it comes to understanding what fertiliser is best to use in your garden.

WHAT TYPES OF FERTILISERS ARE AVAILABLE?

Feeding your plants is similar to feeding yourself: you have to give it the right amount of nutrients. When it comes to fertilising, more does not mean better. It is possible to overfeed and damage or even kill your plants. Before applying any fertiliser, it’s a good idea to know what nutrients that your plant needs. There are specific fertilisers for different types of plants such as citrus, roses, fruit and vegetables, natives, azaleas and camellias. By using the correct fertiliser it will help your plants to healthier more vibrant and longer lasting flowers, leaves, fruits and vegetables.

Slow Release Fertiliser

With the warmer weather well on its way, now is a great time to be using a slow release fertiliser on the garden such as our Troforte Controlled Release range.It is by far the easiest method to feed your plants and not only will it give them all the nutrients they could ask for over a long period, it also acts as a soil conditioner with its mineral enriched and microbe coated prills to help with microbial activity and nutrient uptake. Troforte comes in various formulations to suit any garden, whether it be natives, fruit & citrus, acid lovers or just the all purpose, we’re confident you will see the results this fertiliser boasts!

Organic Fertiliser

Many organic fertilisers contribute organic matter to your soil, improving its structure, feeding soil microbes, helping to fight fungal and bacterial diseases, and contributing micronutrients. Most organic fertilisers supply a slow but steady food for plants.

Types or organic fertiliser:
-Manures
-Compost
-Marine by-products such as fish emulsions
-Minerals

Suitable for most gardens, organic fertilisers are a great way to improve your soil and feed your plants. Try using our new range of Katek fertilisers to improve your plant growth and boost the organic content in your soils.  Super Booster is specially blended to contain composted poultry manure as well as added humates and beneficial soil microbes. This fantastic product delivers slow release nutrients to your plants as well as improving nutrient holding capacity and stimulating beneficial fungi in your soil for great plant health. Super Growth is based on composted biologically active poultry manure and a special blend of other ingredients chosen to enhance plant growth, promote strong root and shoot development and improve fruiting and flowering. It is made to be suitable for the entire garden, lush lawns, vibrant flowers and an abundance of tasty fruits and vegetables.

Super Grass is designed to give both a quick release of nutrients and a slow release for continuous feeding of your lawn. It is in fact a blend of organic and synthetic fertiliser which will provide excellent results for your lawn and commercial applications. Suitable for use on all lawn types including buffalo hybrids. 

Blood & Bone

An organic based fertiliser which is great for improving soil structure and providing your plants with a sustained release uptake of nutrients. It is well suited to most gardens and while more frequent application is required than that of a slow release fertiliser, it is a great method to keep your plants and soil healthy all year round. Also try new Katek blood and bone which is pelletised with composted poultry manure. 

Chemical FERTILISER

There are three prime chemical elements that are found in all mixed fertilisers:

• Nitrogen [N] which promotes healthy leaf growth by stimulating the production of chlorophyll (the main chemical involved in photosynthesis—how plants convert sunlight to food).
• Phosphorus [P] supports the vigorous development of roots and stems. 
• Potassium [K] plays a key role in helping plants digest and manufacture their foods as well as promoting flower and fruit development. 

Commercial fertilizers have three numbers that indicate the nutrient ratio called NPK. For example, 5-10-5, 4-12-0, and 12-12-12.
The first number shows the percentage of Nitrogen.
The second number represents the percentage of Phosphorus.
The third number indicates the percentage of Potassium.

	CHEMICAL	ORGANIC
PROS	• Concentrated and acts fast • Available in liquid, pellet, powder or granular form • Less expensive • Easier and quicker to apply to larger areas • Ensures precise ratios of nutrients	• Provides a more complex blend of beneficial micro & macro nutrients  • Improves soil structure • Supplies a slow, steady diet for plants • Feeds soil microbes • Helps fight fungal and bacterial diseases • Can be inexpensive or free, if you create them • Contributes micronutrients
CONS	• Usually limited in the diversity of nutrients provided.  • May harm microorganisms in the soil which may hinder long-term plant growth               • Manufactured with non-renewable resources • May not have any long term benefits	• Compost and manures are bulky. You may find them challenging to transport and store.  • Depending on where organic fertilisers are produced, their nutrients may be lower, so you may under or over fertilise your garden

WHAT TYPE OF FERTILISER SHOULD I USE?

There are two main types of fertilisers for home gardening: Granular and Soluble.

Granular FERTILISER

Granular fertilisers deliver food to your plants slowly over a long period of time while they break down with water. They are best for covering large areas and require one application every 4-6 months.

Soluble Fertiliser

There are a number of different options when it comes to soluble fertilisers and they act as a great way to give your plants an instant boost of nutrients. Be sure to choose a soluble fertiliser that is suitable for the garden you plan to fertilise as it can be easy to overdo it when using this method. While this can have a negative effect on your plants, don’t be scared of using them! Just be sure to always follow the application rates included with the chosen product.
Water-soluble fertiliser is a much faster acting solution however it must be applied frequently. It is great for feeding container plants and vegetables.  Try using Katek Liquid Super Growth which is formulated to improve plant and soil health and boost plant and root growth. It is designed to feed through the plant leaves and roots giving a very quick result.

Knowing when to fertilise is as important as using the right fertiliser. Fertilising when the plant needs it is the most important thing. Apply fertiliser early Spring just before the plants start growing and again towards late Summer early Autumn to promote strong healthy growth before Winter.

• Annuals: Annuals like to be fed an additional three to four times during the growing season with a high-potassium, water-soluble fertiliser. It’s a good idea to feed with a granular fertiliser in early spring after it rains.
• Lawns, Trees and Shrubs: Lawns benefit from a granular application in spring and early Autumn.
• Bulbs: Feed a teaspoon of bone meal for each bulb holes in late Autumn to promote strong bulbs and promote flowering for next year.

For any further advice or help, feel free to call one of our ANL stores or check out our Facebook page.