Author: Plant Doctor Date Posted:1 June 2023
Gardening can be a satisfying and rewarding hobby, but it requires proper care and maintenance to ensure a bountiful harvest. Fertilisers are essential to plant growth, providing nutrients that plants need to thrive. However, using fertilisers can be tricky, and mistakes can lead to undesirable results. In this article, we will discuss the top 5 mistakes people make when using fertilisers in their garden, including common mistakes such as nitrogen burns and what the symptoms look like.
Over-fertilisation
Over-fertilisation is a common mistake that gardeners make. Many people believe that if a bit of fertiliser is good, more is better. However, this is not the case, and over-fertilisation can harm your plants. When plants receive too much fertiliser, the excess nutrients can burn the roots and cause them to die. Additionally, over-fertilisation can drive excessive foliage growth, leading to weak stems and susceptibility to pests and diseases.
Symptoms of over-fertilisation include yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and wilting. If you suspect your plants are over-fertilised, it's important to stop fertilising and flush the soil with water to remove the excess nutrients.
To avoid over-fertilisation, it's essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions on the fertiliser package. Additionally, testing your soil's nutrient levels can help you determine the amount of fertiliser your plants need. You can use a soil testing kit or send a soil sample to a laboratory for analysis, like Michelle Dickinson at Turf Test.
Under-fertilisation
On the other hand, under-fertilisation can also be a mistake. Plants require a certain amount of nutrients to grow and produce fruit; if they don't receive enough, their growth can be affected, reducing the yield. Symptoms of under-fertilisation include yellowing leaves, poor growth, and reduced fruit size.
It's vital to ensure your plants receive the nutrients they need to avoid under-fertilising your lawn or garden. This can be achieved using a balanced fertiliser containing the essential nutrients your plants need. Regularly testing your soil's nutrient levels can also help determine if your plants need additional fertiliser.
Using the wrong type of fertiliser
Using the wrong type of fertiliser can also be a mistake. Different plants require different nutrients, and using the wrong kind of fertiliser can lead to nutrient imbalances that can harm your plants. For example, plants that require acidic soil, such as blueberries, require fertilisers with high sulphur levels. Using a fertiliser unsuitable for acidic soil can lead to nutrient imbalances and harm your plants.
It's essential to understand the nutrient requirements of your plants to avoid using the wrong type of fertiliser. You can start by researching your plants' specific nutrient requirements or consulting a gardening expert. Additionally, reading the fertiliser package labels can help you determine if the fertiliser is suitable for your plants.
Fertilising at the wrong time
Fertilising at the wrong time can also be a mistake. Plants require different amounts of nutrients at various stages of their growth cycle, and fertilising at the wrong time can lead to nutrient imbalances and harm plants. For example, fertilising plants that are about to flower with a high-nitrogen fertiliser can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flower production.
It's essential to understand the growth cycle of your plants to ensure fertilising at the right time of the growing process. This can be done by researching your plants' specific growth cycle or consulting a gardening expert. Reading the fertiliser package labels can help you determine the best time to fertilise your plants.
Should you water after fertilising?
Not watering after fertilising can also be a mistake. Most fertilisers should be watered into the soil to ensure the nutrients reach the plant roots. If you don't water after fertilising, the nutrients can remain on the surface, where they can evaporate or be blown away by the wind. Additionally, not watering after fertilising can lead to nutrient burn, where the fertiliser salts can accumulate in the soil and harm the plant roots.
It's essential to water your plants after applying fertiliser, and this can be done by watering your plants immediately after fertilising or by fertilising before a scheduled rainfall. Additionally, it's important to avoid over-watering your plants, as this can lead to nutrient imbalances and harm your plants.
In conclusion, using fertilisers in your garden can be a great way to ensure that your plants receive the nutrients they need to grow and produce fruit. However, it's essential to avoid common mistakes that can harm your plants, such as over-fertilisation, under-fertilisation, using the wrong type of fertiliser, fertilising at the wrong time, and not watering after fertilising.
It's also essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions on the fertiliser package to ensure that your plants receive the proper amount of nutrients, regularly test your soil's nutrient levels, and understand your plants' specific nutrient requirements. Additionally, watering your plants after fertilising is essential to ensure that the nutrients reach the plant roots.
By avoiding these common fertilising mistakes, you can enjoy a healthy, bountiful garden that will provide fresh produce and beautiful flowers for years. To buy earth friendly natural fertilisers that are based on the science of nature, visit www.plantdoctor.com.au
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