Universal Slow Release Fertiliser

Jenny_Aster · February 2022

Is there such a fertiliser that works well with all plants, or should I be thinking of buying different fertilisers ie. trees, veg, flowers, or hanging basket fertilisers?

I'm looking for a good honest to goodness product that's not gimmicky, not bulked up with silly packing, and I'm not paying for a prestigious name. Is there such a product? Or should I fork out for different fertilisers and would it be worth it? I'm not planning to enter shows, just want an economical product that does what it says 'on the tin', is slow release and works.

Maybe I should be mixing my own, but I imagine the 'recipe' would be complex.

Fire · February 2022

FBB is pretty universally useful, I would think. Cheap. Usually recommended to re-apply every six weeks or so. Perhaps that is not slow release enough.

Granules will last through the season, but I don't think recommended for trees.

Dovefromabove · February 2022

I use Fish, Blood & Bone on all the beds and borders in the spring, and again in mid summer ... I find that's sufficient for most things .......... some folk report that foxes are attracted to it, but I've not had a problem ... so far 🤞
Greedy feeders like clematis get a dose or two of clematis feed about a month before flowering as well.
Flowering 'bedding' plants in tubs etc get tomato feed every couple of weeks through the summer.

JennyJ · February 2022

I also use FBB (also chicken poo pellets, but they're less balanced). If for any reason you don't want to use FBB, Growmore (or similar formula from other brands or DIY shop own brands) is a good all-rounder. Look at the NPK value on the label - for a general fertiliser you're looking for the three numbers to be reasonably similar.

Plantminded · February 2022

Another vote for blood fish and bone! It's organic and it breaks down gradually, giving a natural supply of essential plant nutrients. I use it in late February and again mid-summer on trees, shrubs, bamboos, ferns and on the lawn. I also use seaweed extract in containers and to feed flowering plants like dahlias. It's also useful as a foliar feed for box and any plant that looks as if it needs a boost. I don't feed established ornamental grasses or perennials.

Fairygirl · February 2022

I only use slow release stuff for annuals in pots, or heavy flowering plants like clematis, and I also use tomato food for them later in the year if necessary.

I use F,B & Bone when I plant anything new- shrubs, perennials etc, and I occasionally use a bit in spring round established plants, because nutrients get washed through very readily here, but apart from that, I usually just add compost, manure or leaf mould etc as a mulch to borders rather than feed them. If the soil's in good nick, it isn't really necessary.
Whether you have poor, sandy, light soil, or heavy clay -adding organic matter is better anyway, rather than using artificial feed.

Jenny_Aster · February 2022

Thank you all for helping me. I've just ordered a kg of Fish, blood and bone fertiliser. I guess it's get to know your plants and they'll let you know if they need more specific feeding.

Not confused anymore... thanks!

Plantminded · February 2022

It's a good time to use FBB now in advance of new growth starting in Spring - it will take a while to break down into a form suitable for uptake, unlike the synthetic alternatives which you need to measure carefully to avoid overfeeding. Adding organic matter is really important too to get the right balance. Stand back and enjoy seeing the difference in a few weeks' time!

Jenny_Aster · February 2022

Thank you @Plantminded. I've got a new garden, and there's hardly anything in it at the moment, but I'm in the process of preparing borders, filling containers and making a raised vegetable bed. I've managed to order 600L (it may not be enough) of cheap compost from B&Q but I just wanted to make sure the compost has enough nutrients in it. I can see I might have to stretch my purse and buy some manure.

The first year of a garden is so expensive.

Fairygirl · February 2022

In that case - I'd just use organic matter @Jenny_Aster. That's the best solution for prepping new borders. There's little point adding anything else if there are no plants.

Keep your compost for pots etc, and add some extra food there - depending on what the plants are. The BF&B will be more use once you start getting more shrubs etc in place in the borders

LunarSea · February 2022

Jenny_Aster said:

I can see I might have to stretch my purse and buy some manure.

The first year of a garden is so expensive.

Hi Jenny, depending where you are you really shouldn't have to buy manure. Are there any horse stables or riding schools near you? They're constantly mucking out and there should be a muck heap that they're only too happy for people to plunder.

Universal Slow Release Fertiliser

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