Fertilisers are essential for maintaining healthy lawns and gardens. They provide plants with the vital nutrients they need to thrive.
But with so many different types available, choosing the right one can be confusing. Let’s break down the main types of fertiliser and their uses.
Table of Contents
🌱 The Two Main Types of Fertiliser
There are two primary categories of fertiliser: inorganic and organic.
🧪 Inorganic Fertilisers
Inorganic fertilisers are synthetically produced or derived from naturally occurring minerals. They’re typically fast-acting and provide specific nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Advantages: Fast-acting, easy to apply, and highly concentrated.
Disadvantages: Can be easily washed away by rain, potentially polluting water sources.
Common examples of inorganic fertilisers include:
NPK fertilisers
These contain a balanced ratio of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), the three primary nutrients plants need.
Ammonium nitrate
These fertilisers are, as the name suggests, high in nitrogen, and they’re typically used for boosting green growth.
Potassium sulphate
Fertilisers rich in potassium sulphate are primarily used to increase potassium levels, essential for fruit and flower production.
Superphosphate
These fertilisers are rich in phosphorus, which is an important nutrient for root development and flower formation.
We recommend: Miracle-Gro Evergreen Complete 4 in 1 Lawn Food
♻️ Organic Fertilisers
Organic fertilisers are derived from plant or animal matter. They release nutrients gradually as they break down, improving soil structure and promoting healthy microbial activity.
Advantages: Improve soil health, environmentally friendly, and often provide additional benefits like improved water retention.
Disadvantages: Slower-acting than inorganic fertilisers, may require larger amounts to achieve the same results.
Common examples of organic fertilisers include:
Compost
This is a commonly-used versatile fertiliser that’s made from decomposed organic matter. Compost is readily available in garden centres, and you can also make your own.
Manure
Manure provides a rich source of nutrients and is great (if not smelly) to use if you have it on hand, but be cautious of its high nitrogen content.
Blood meal
Blood meal is a slow-release fertiliser that’s high in nitrogen, but it can be quite expensive, and it’s another smelly one.
Bone meal
Bone meal is rich in phosphorus, essential for root development. You’ll often find blood and bone meal combined in the same fertiliser product.
Seaweed extract
This provides a balanced range of nutrients and beneficial plant hormones. It’s a good option if you’re looking for an organic fertiliser that’s not as smelly. It’s also usually vegan-friendly.
We recommend: Plantworks Ltd Empathy Lawn Feed Liquid Seaweed Stimulant
📑 Other Types of Fertilisers
Beyond the standard inorganic and organic options, there are specialised fertilisers designed for specific needs:
💦 Liquid Fertilisers
These water-soluble nutrients are rapidly absorbed by plants, making them ideal for quick green-ups or addressing nutrient deficiencies. Often applied as foliar sprays or diluted for watering, they provide a quick boost of energy.
We recommend: envii Greenkeeper’s Secret Liquid Lawn Fertiliser Feed
🐢 Slow-Release Granular Fertilisers
Designed for gradual nutrient release, these fertilisers offer a sustained supply to plants. This prevents nutrient burn and reduces how often the applications are needed. They’re particularly useful for container plants and established lawns.
We recommend: Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Lawn Food
🏄🏼♀️ Controlled-Release Fertilisers
A step up from slow-release, these fertilisers offer a precise and consistent release of nutrients over a specific period. This technology ensures plants can grow optimally without wastage or nutrient leaching.
🍃 Foliar Fertilisers
Applied directly to leaves, foliar fertilisers bypass the root system for immediate nutrient uptake. They’re often used to correct deficiencies or provide a quick boost during periods of stress.
🤷♂️ Choosing the Right Fertiliser
Selecting the best fertiliser for your garden or lawn involves considering several key factors. Let’s break down these elements to help you make an informed decision:
🧐 Understanding Your Plant’s Needs
Different plants have varying nutrient requirements. For instance:
Nitrogen (N): Essential for foliage growth, promoting healthy, green leaves.
Phosphorus (P): Necessary for root development, flowering, and fruit production.
Potassium (K): Supports overall plant health, disease resistance, and fruit quality.
Knowing these basic needs allows you to choose a fertiliser that aligns with your plant’s specific requirements. For example, a nitrogen-rich fertiliser is ideal for lawns, while a higher phosphorus content is beneficial for flowering plants.
🔬 Assessing Your Soil
You can also conduct a soil analysis to check for nutrient deficiencies. This provides insights into your soil’s composition, pH level, and nutrient content: information that helps you select a fertiliser that addresses specific imbalances.
For instance, if your soil is deficient in phosphorus, you’ll need a fertiliser with a higher phosphorus content.
⛳️ Defining Your Goals
Are you aiming for rapid growth, lots of flowers, or improved fruit production? Your preferred outcome (or outcomes!) will influence the type of fertiliser you choose.
If your top priority is fast growth, go for a high-nitrogen fertilizer to speed up foliage production. Or, choose a fertiliser rich in phosphorus and potassium to encourage blooms. For fruit production, select a fertiliser with a balanced NPK ratio (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) to support overall plant health.
🌎 Considering Environmental Impact
It’s also worth considering the environmental impact of the fertiliser you use.
Organic fertiliser, like compost or manure, is generally more environmentally friendly, and is useful for improving soil structure and promoting beneficial microbial activity. However, organic fertilisers may release nutrients more slowly than inorganic fertilisers.
Inorganic fertilisers, while effective, can have potential environmental impacts if you use them irresponsibly.
💬 Additional Tips
Also keep the following tips in mind when you’re choosing between different fertiliser types:
Read the label: Always follow the application instructions on the fertiliser packaging.
Avoid over-fertilisation: Excessive nutrients can harm plants and the environment.
Test your soil regularly: Monitor your soil’s nutrient levels to adjust your fertilisation frequency accordingly.
Combine fertilisation with other soil care practices: Healthy soil is the foundation for healthy plants.
🏁 Final Word
Hopefully, this guide has served as a helpful introduction to using fertilisers in the UK to boost plant nutrition and help your garden to thrive during the growing season.
Don’t worry too much about being an expert on fertilisers. As long as you know the basics, you should be able to safely and effectively use granular or liquid fertiliser in your garden.
Remember to always follow the application instructions on the fertiliser product. Over-fertilisation can be harmful to plants and the environment, so in this case, less is best!
More on Different Types of Fertilisers in the UK
Which type of fertiliser works the best?
The fertiliser that will work best in your situation depends on your garden’s specific needs. Inorganic options offer quick results but can be harmful to the environment, especially if they’re poorly applied. Organic fertilizers improve soil health but act slower. When you’re choosing a fertiliser, consider factors like your grass type, soil condition, and desired outcome. You might actually be better off using a balanced approach, combining organic matter and targeted fertilisers, to get the best long-term results.
What’s the difference between a lawn feed and a fertiliser for plants or flowers?
Lawn feed and plant fertilisers have different formulas and cater to different needs Lawn fertilisers are generally rich in nitrogen to encourage rapid growth and greening, often with a higher NPK ratio like 21-7-14. They also include ingredients to resist weeds and diseases. Plant or flower fertilisers are typically higher in phosphorus for root development and flowering, and potassium for fruit production. The NPK ratio in garden fertilizers is often balanced, like 10-10-10, to support overall plant health.