Forms of Plant Fertiliser

Dry Fertilisers
There are three main types of dry fertiliser available in shops, powder, granules and pellets. Powder fertiliser (such as Miracle Gro) is normally added to water and then applied to the soil with a watering can. Pellets and granules are applied to the soil directly.

All dry fertilisers, especially inorganic varieties need to be applied exactly according to the pack instructions. Over dosing plants will kill them. Dry fertilisers, organic or inorganic, will not improve the structure of the soil.

Liquid Fertilisers
Liquid fertilisers are normally inorganic and are diluted in water and applied to the soil using a watering can. Like dry fertilisers, they need to be applied very carefully because overdosing can kill plants.

Liquid fertilisers can be applied to plant foliage as well as the soil but should not be applied to the foliage of a sick plant.

Natural Fertilisers
As discussed earlier, this is generally well-rotted compost or various manures. They have not been treated at all and as well as feeding your plants they will improve the texture of the soil.

Soil Improvers
As well as lack of nutrients, plants can also be affected if the structure of the soil is not correct. This prevents them from taking nutrients that are in the soil. Good soil improvers include manure, well-rotted compost, wood chips etc. Beware though of adding materials which are not well-rotted though such as wood chips. They will definitely improve the soil texture but in the initial stages of decomposition they will rob the soil of nitrogen as part of the rotting process. Once decomposed they will then add nitrogen back to the soil.

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