Fertilisers
Nutritious soil is one factor that plays a part in a healthy and thriving garden. Fertilising annually prevents soil from becoming spent and plants from becoming nutrient-deficient. In addition, nutrients play an important role when it comes to plant vitality.
To ensure that plants grow well, it is important to fertilise them on time. As a result, plants will grow better, flower more abundantly and become stronger, which in turn makes them more resistant to diseases and pests. Garden plants and trees, like humans, need nutrients to grow and to survive. When people do not get all the nutrients they need, it affects their health and further development. It is exactly the same with plants and trees. If plants do not receive enough nutrients, they will grow slower and slower, they leaves may become discoloured and there is even a chance that the plant will die. Also, plants become more susceptible to diseases and pests. By applying fertiliser, you feed the soil minerals and nutrients (nitrate, phosphorus, potassium and other trace elements) that your plants need in order to grow. In short, timely garden fertilisation is essential for a fresh, green, healthy and thriving garden.
Fertiliser application
The vast majority of all garden plants should be fertilised twice a year. The best time to fertilise plants is in early spring (March/April) and again in summer (June/July). During this period, plants grow and bloom, so this is really the time in which they need the nutrients most. Mix the fertiliser pellets with the top layer of soil with a rake. To get the fertiliser working immediately, give it some water (if no rain is expected in the near future). We always recommend working with an organic fertiliser to prevent root and leaf burn (which may occur with artificial fertiliser, for example). By using fertiliser, plants will grow and flower better and they will be less susceptible to diseases and pests. Heijnen Plants offers fertilisation recommendations for each garden plant, so you know exactly how often you should fertilise per year and during which period. Follow these instructions and enjoy a garden full of strong, energetic plants!
Improve soil structure
Mixing compost, potting soil or planting soil with your garden's existing soil increases the humus levels in the soil. Applying these organic materials offers many benefits to soil biodiversity, and indirectly to the fertilisers being applied as well. Organic materials (humus) allow earthworms and other soil organisms to thrive in the soil, which has a positive effect on water permeability and soil oxygen levels (aerated soil). In addition, nutrients (minerals) provided with the fertiliser are more easily retained in these organic materials. Water is also better retained in these organic materials, allowing plants to better absorb nutrients. Fertilising the garden in combination with the application of a layer of compost or potting soil, for example, creates ideal conditions that benefit the growth, flowering and health of garden plants!
