Trees and shrubs will survive satisfactorily with little or no feeding. However, if they are fed, especially in the first year or two, they will thrive. Fruits, vegetables and flowers definitely respond to feeding, resulting in much more pleasure and satisfaction from your efforts.
Nutrients required for growth
To be healthy and thriving plants require a balance of nutrients. (Although members of the protea family and some NZ natives require only small amounts). Some soils, in particular sandy soils, require more fertiliser than clay soils
The major elements required for plant growth are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). These are required in large amounts. Fertilisers which contain these three are sometimes referred to as NPK fertilisers (or complete fertilisers) and the percentage of each is referred to as the NPK content. A good NPK or complete fertiliser for plants in pots is likely to contain a ratio of 10%N 4%P and 8%K, while one for application to soils may contain a ratio of 6%N, 5%P, 5%K.
In addition to the major elements, minor and trace elements are required. These trace elements are required by plants in very small amounts. In most soils these are available naturally in adequate amounts. However, they could be deficient in pot or container plants after a year or so.
Occasionally minor or trace element deficiencies show up in plants. Where this is suspected, bring a sample in to our garden adviser.
Soil Acidity
The acidity of soil has an effect on availability of elements required for growth. Plants grow best in soils that are slightly acid. Fortunately most soils naturally fall in this band. Organic soils high in compost may be more acid and some chalk soils or clays may be too alkaline. If most of your plants fail to thrive and acidity is suspected seek advice from our garden adviser.
There are a few plants such as azaleas, camellias, rhododendron, daphne and boronia, along with lawns, which prefer an acid soil.
Very acid soils are improved by adding Lime. Alkaline soils are improved by adding compost, sulphate of iron or sulphur.
Which Fertiliser to Use
Which fertiliser to use depends mostly on where the plant is growing, (in the soil or in a pot) and whether the application is at planting time or a top dressing later to established plants.
At Planting Time - Trees, Shrubs, Roses, etc.
When applied at planting time, these fertilisers release the nutrients over a 3 – 24 month period, which gives plants a very good start. Because they release slowly, they are safe to use around the roots at planting time.
Top Dressing Existing Gardens Trees, Shrubs, Roses, and Fruit Trees
For Vegetable Garden and Flower Beds
Pots and Containers - All plants
Lawns
House Plants - All plants
Liquid Feeding
Liquid feeding of plants is useful for giving plants an extra boost. It is particularly effective for plants which are lacking thrift or recovering from a shock eg. at transplanting time for seedlings, or for boosting yields eg tomatoes. Liquid feeding should be repeated 4 or 5 times at 2 weekly intervals. Good liquid feeds are ican Fast Food (for all plants) and ican Oceangrow which is a fish based feed particularly good for Roses, but it is too smelly to use indoors.
Organic Manures
These are usually based on animal manure and in addition to supplying nutrients, they have a beneficial effect on soil structure, as well as supplying nutrients. Examples are ican 100% Organic Vegetable Food or Tui Sheep Pellets.
Lime
There are three types of lime
Garden Lime and Dolomite lime are both alkaline and are used to
Gypsum is neutral and is used to
Gardens benefit from an annual dressing of Lime Dolomite or Gypsum. It improves the condition of clay soils and improves the availability of phosphate. This means that the other fertilisers applied will work better. However don’t over apply. Excess Dolomite application can lead to an over alkaline soil which suppresses potassium and other nutrients.
Use Gypsum rather than Lime or Dolomite on acid loving plants such as azalea, camellias and rhododendrons, and lawns.
Gypsum is a better, safer alternative unless the soil is known to be acid.