Plants need nutrients to live and grow healthily. When using any garden chemical always read manufacturer’s instructions carefully before use and always follow their safety advice.

Plant fertilizers supply the three major nutrients; NPK

Nitrogen (N); associated with promoting green plant growth such as leaves and stems.

Phosphorus (P): associated with root growth and development.

Potassium (K): associated with promoting flowering and fruit growth.

Most fertilizer packs will show the analysis of the above nutrients. For example if you have just planted a new shrub and would like to encourage root growth you may wish to choose a fertilizer with an analysis of; N:P:K 7:14:7 respectively (plus trace). You can see from this example the ‘P’ is twice the value of the other nutrients. You can apply this procedure to maximise other areas of growth.

Minor Nutrients

Iron and Magnesium are ingredients of chlorophyll. Calcium helps to build and strengthen cell walls - sometimes these nutrients can be deficient and subsequently are available in separate form. Other minerals referred to as trace are also included in fertilizer compositions which are needed for plant growth.

Iron deficiency causes yellowing of the leaves. Magnesium deficiency causes yellow leaves with green veins. Fertilizers are available in different forms. Here are a few that are available on the market:

solid fertilizers which are applied directly to the soil,

soluble or liquid fertilizers which need to be diluted before application, and

slow release fertilizers which release nutrients depending on the soil temperature.