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FOX Fertilising Services

WHAT IS FERTILISING?

Just like us, plants need food to stay healthy. Food for plants comes in the form of fertilisers.

Fertilisers are chemical or mineral products that release nutrients necessary for plant growth. There are two main types of fertilisers – chemical (inorganic) and mineral (organic) fertilisers.

Chemical fertilisers are added to the soil as liquids or solids and are specifically designed and formulated for a specific purpose, such as to increase plant fertility and promote growth. Mineral or organic fertilisers are natural and are derived from plants and animals such as manure and seaweed and can be used as general soil improvers.

Fertilisers are necessary as they add nutrients to the soil, combatting deficiencies in the natural soil, such as inadequate nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous levels, which can affect the plant’s health and growth.

Every plant requires different nutrients at different stages throughout its growth cycle. There is a diverse range of fertilisers, all with differing quantities of minerals that provide either instant or slow release times depending upon what each plant requires. Always read the label and apply only as directed for best fertiliser results.

And, of course, if you want additional help and advice on fertilising, the simplest solution is to let Fox Mowing look after it all for you.
And while we’re in your garden, we can do a lot of other stuff too, to get your garden looking and feeling its best.

PLANT NUTRIENTS

Plants are reliant upon nutrients for survival and growth.

There are at least 17 elements that are essential nutrients for plant health. The primary type is called Macronutrients, including potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and sulphur. Macronutrients provide the bulk energy for the plant to function and grow. Nitrogen is a vital plant nutrient, mainly derived from the soil and required in large amounts for cellular growth and development. If there is a deficiency in Nitrogen, the plant will grow slowly and tend to have a purple appearance on the stems and underside of leaves.

Smaller amounts of nutrients such as iron, copper, zinc, chlorine and manganese are all required in differing quantities. These nutrients come under Micronutrients and are used for plant metabolism and photosynthesis.

Plant nutrients play a significant factor in plant health. Plants can suffer from stunted growth, deformity, discolourations, and abnormal or shortened life cycles if the soil lacks nutrients.

Every plant type requires different nutrient levels to obtain optimum growth and performance. So, if you notice your plant looking worse for wear, ensure it gets enough nutrients by boosting the soil with manure or compost or applying a fertiliser.

And, of course, if you want additional help and advice on fertilising, the simplest solution is to let Fox Mowing look after it all for you.
And while we’re there in your garden, we can do a lot of other stuff too to get your garden looking and feeling its best.

LAWN NUTRIENTS

Like plants, grass and turf require nutrients to grow robust, healthy root systems and a lush green lawn.

The healthier your lawn is, the better it will grow and the better it will be to deal with hot and dry conditions, weeds and general wear & tear.

Lawns that are discoloured, grow slowly and have invading weeds or pest problems show signs of being in poor condition and require an added boost of nutrients to help improve their standard of health.

The lawn nutrients required for turf grass can be obtained naturally from the soil, primarily Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus. A PhD test will determine the levels of nutrients in your lawn and if you have an excess or are deficient in one or more types of elements. This can be rectified by applying a fertiliser such as a nitrogen or iron supplement. Applying nitrogen to the lawn will help create a healthy, vigorous lawn with quick growth and development. Having an excess of Nitrogen will cause the root growth to slow and open up the lawn to being vulnerable to weeds and disease.

Keep an eye on your lawn, checking for any changes in its appearance or growth, as there may be some lawn nutrients that should be added to increase performance.

And, of course, if you want additional help and advice on fertilising, the simplest solution is to let Fox Mowing look after it all for you.

And while we’re there in your garden, we can do a lot of other stuff too to get your garden looking and feeling its best.

SOIL CONDITIONING

The condition of your soil can play a big part in how your plants and grass grow and perform.

Soil Conditioning is a product added to the soil to improve its ability to provide plant nutrition. This can come in various forms, including fertilisers, organic matter and living organisms such as earthworms.

Soil conditioning may be required for sandy or clay soil types.

Sandy soils, although excellent for drainage, take away all the nutrients from the soil. To fix it, you will need to add organic matter such as grass clippings, manure, and leaves to the soil and mix it thoroughly. This will help to improve the soil structure and help retain moisture & nutrients.

Clay soil is the direct opposite of sandy soil as it holds in all the moisture & nutrients, but the ground remains compacted and doesn’t drain well. To combat clay soils, you must add organic matter & gypsum to the soil and work it through by aeration. This will open up the air circulation in the soil, improving drainage and structure and will make the nutrients more readily available to the plants.

Soil that does not have the ideal levels of nutrients required will cause the plants and grass to have stunted growth and generally poor health and performance.

Suppose you have any concerns about your soil. In that case, we recommend completing a PH Test to determine the nutrient level of your soil and then adding the required fertiliser or organic matter to improve any deficiencies indicated.

And, of course, if you want some additional help and advice on soil conditioning, the simplest solution is to let Fox Mowing look after it all for you.
And while we’re there in your garden, we can do a lot of other stuff too to get your garden looking and feeling its best.

ORGANIC FERTILISERS

Organic fertilisers contain naturally occurring materials derived from animal, vegetable and plant matter, including compost, manure, seaweed and blood & bone.

Organic fertilisers feed the soil and plants, adding much-needed nutrients to the soil. Organic Fertilisers such as manure & compost also create a food source for earthworms and micro-organisms. Having earthworm activity in the soil will help loosen the soil, create more oxygen flow to the plant roots, and improve drainage. Worms also assist by creating healthy, nutrient-rich soil through the waste they excrete, called castings.

Compost can be used as an organic fertiliser to improve soil structure, loosen clay and help sandy soils retain water better. Kelp and liquid seaweed are effectively used as a growth enhancer for plants.

Organic Fertilisers are available in bags or liquid form. They can be used similarly to chemical or synthetic fertilisers, but as they are not as potent, they must often be employed in a larger quantity to have the same effect.

A significant benefit of organic fertilisers is that they work slowly – they must be broken down by the soil organisms for the nutrients to be released. However, if you need something that will work quickly and give immediate nutrients to the plants, you should consider applying a liquid or synthetic fertiliser.

And, of course, if you want additional help and advice on fertilising, the simplest solution is to let Fox Mowing look after it all for you.
And while we’re there in your garden, we can do a lot of other stuff too to get your garden looking and feeling its best.