Nitrogen – this promotes leaf growth
Phosphates – this helps roots develop
Potash – increases production of flowers & fruits and improves fruit flavour, it also increases winter hardness.
They also require small amounts of Calcium, Boron, Iron, Magnesium & Manganese, all of which are readily available at all our Dobbies Stores. If you want a healthy garden with an abundance of flowers, watering & feeding are an essential part of gardening.
A complete fertiliser & nutrients programme are required for your specific plants & fruits.
When should you water and feed your plants?
During long hot summer spells, your plants will definitely need watering and the best time to do this is early evening or when the sun has moved from your garden, if you water your garden while the sun is shining the sun will just soak your water up & the plants will receive nothing. During winter months you do not need to water your garden but you do need to check to see that the soil is not too dry.
Feeding your plants is something that you need to do throughout the year. You need to feed your plants during the summer to ensure the plants are getting the correct nourishment & you need to feed during the winter months to promote & encourage new growth.
Tools You'll Need
• Watering Can
• Hose
• Sprinklers
• Fork , Spade, Hoe & Rake
• Water-retaining Gel
• Compost
• Grit
• Plant Food for Shrubs & Trees, Bulbs & Bedding plants
• Container plants
• General Liquid & Liquid Feed - so that you can feed weekly in Spring/Summer a very busy time for our gardeners.
How do I water Plants & with what?
Watering Cans: Use one fitted with a fine watering can spray. This will make sure that you cause as little disturbance as possible to the soil around your plants and not destroy any roots.
Sprinklers: Try not to use them during hot sunny weather as this can cause leafs to scorch. More importantly the water applied has more time to be absorbed in the soil if you water early evening or in the early morning.
Trickle or Soaking Hoses: These only give out tiny amounts of water over an extended period of time.
Root Watering: If you sink 5 – 8cm diameter pipes or plastic juice bottle with the bottoms cut off in the soil next to the tree or shrubs or even in your containers these will water the roots of your plants, remember to top these up on a regular basis.
Watering Tips
It is better to soak plants from time to time rather than watering little & often. If you only give them a little water it might not be enough for your plants.
Make sure water gets right down to the roots by placing the hose or watering can spout at the base of the plant and water gently. If your soil gets very dry you may need to water twice.
Do Not water your plants too forcefully as you could damage the roots, leafs & the plant. Never direct a jet of water at the base of the plant either as it washes away soil & exposes any roots. Never make a hollow around the base of the plant & fill with water.
Re-use water from baths & sinks or even recycle rainwater by using a water butt.
New Plants
New plants need a good deal of care & attention to help them adjust from their environment from garden centre to your garden.
When planting new plants, prepare the soil to ensure they have enough space, water & food.
Dig the soil between 25 & 50cm deep, this will let in air & water to prevent root suffocation.
Add water-retaining gel or well-rotted manure, garden compost or peat as they will act as a sponge, retaining water for your plants.
Poorly drained soils may need food to be absorbed. Dig some organic material, compost, composted bark or in severe cases grit into the soil.
Irrigating Lawns
If grass does not spring back after it has been walked on water as soon as possible as long as there isn’t a draught! If it is very dry, spike your lawn with a fork before watering and this will create holes for the water to soak into. The quickest way to water your lawn is of course using a sprinkler, but you will need to remember not to over-water in the one place. Place a jar next to your sprinkler and move it once the jar has 2.5cm of water in it!
Caring for Containers
Like many plants those in pots & hanging baskets need extra special care as they might run out of water more quickly, so you will need to add water-retaining granules or gel to compost in pots and place a small pipe or plastic bottle in the compost to help with root watering as explained earlier. Aim to keep the compost moist at all times, & you will almost certainly need to water every day during the summer months. If the compost looks pale & has shrunk away from the side of the pot or the plants are looking droopy & wilting stand the container in a bucket or tray so it soaks the water right up into the compost.
Dealing with Drought Conditions
If there is a drought on one of the best ways to water your plants is to attach a water butt with a tap to your drainpipe & this will collect rainwater. These are readily available at our Dobbies Stores.
Keep your borders well weeded as weeds compete for moisture so that they too can grow & spread.
A 5 to 7cm protective layer of mulch such as compost, cocoa shells, bark or even gravel spread on the soil between plants reduces evaporation. Stop sprinkling lawns in drought, as in autumn they will recover. Hoe weeds at the roots to save time & avoid disturbing the soil & increasing water loss from the surface. Leave grass clippings on the surface of the lawn after mowing to recycle nutrients.
Inorganic & Organic Fertilisers – What is the Difference?
Inorganic Fertilisers
Are manufactured from a chemical process or mine. Today these are formulated into compound fertilisers that release a balanced amount of nitrogen, phosphates & potash over a period of time. There are dedicated fertilisers that supply just one element & these can be used to correct any specific deficiency.
They are applied as a dry powder or in a granule form in spring & the instructions for use will be by the manufacturer recommendation. Some can act quickly, others are slow-release types which release small amounts over a long period. Some available are in dry or liquid forms – liquids are applied from late spring to early summer only.
Sulphate of Ammonia – contains concentrated nitrogen
Sulphate of Potash – a good source of potassium
Growmore – a good balanced fertiliser
Sulphate of Iron – for acid-loving plants
Organic Fertilisers
These come from vegetable or animal matter they are often slow-acting so apply them in good time.
Mushroom Compost – contains a range of nutrients
Liquid Seaweed Extract – contains nitrogen, potash & phosphate
Bonemeal – a good source of bonemeal
Wood Ash – contains a small amount of potassium
Fish, Blood & Bone – a general fertiliser, containing phosphorus, nitrogen & potassium.
How to apply Plant Food
Choose a plant food to the specific needs of your plants and apply at the right time of the year to avoid waste & damage.
When watering in plant food, use a separate watering can or wash thoroughly after use.
Always wear gloves when using fertiliser & avoid breathing in dust or vapour. Read all the instructions thoroughly before use.
Always remember to store fertilisers in a cool, dry & preferably dark place away from children & animals.
