This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Not sure which fertliser to go for?

I'm new to gardening and I've just planted a load of new plants and I want to give them the best chance but I'm a bit puzzled with all the different fertlisers on offer? I'm aiming for a cottage style border and was going to go for Miracle Gro Rose and Shrub (NPK 10-7-10), but I keep on hearing about Fish Blood and Bone but the one I've found only offers a NPK of 4-7-4. Any recommendations?
0
Posts
...Andddd I've spelt fertiliser wrong in the title. Oops
Fertilisers & Plant Food›Rose FertilisersShare Facebook <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/redirect.html/ref=cm_sw_cl_tw_dp_k7XPxb84R6W73?_encoding=UTF8&location=https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.amazon.co.uk%252Fgp%
I use Fish, Blood and Bone in the spring and again in early summer. - sprinkled over the borders and tickled in with the hoe - if it doesn't get a good dollop of rain within the next couple of days I give the borders a good watering. Its an organic slow release fertiliser which encourages good sturdy growth.
The roses and clematis get an additional feed or three of Clematis feed (whichever brand is available and cheapest) usually in late March, again six weeks later and again six weeks after that
and annuals/bedding plants in tubs and pots get a weekly watering with tomato food once the flower buds form.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thanks Dove
Hi again. N = Nitrogen in the form of nitrates and is the right nutrient for leafy crops so look for the high grading. P = Phosphorus in the form of phosphates which is the right nutrient for healthy roots and leaves and K = Potassium in the form of potash which is needed for healthy flower and fruit growth. Fish, blood and bone is a good all rounder to add to soils when plants are first put into the garden. Don't be too worried about the proportions of NPK. The only times you might want to give them serious thought is: 1. In lawn food. Lawns have a special Autumn feed which is low in Nitrates as any growth spurt this produces might be bad for the grass as the Winter chill creeps up on us and frosts can damage this lush growth. 2. When feeding your hanging baskets, lots of P and K for flowers. Tomato feed is great for these.
That's great, thanks Ladybird
You're most welcome!