Services

WHAT IS FERTILISING?

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

Fertilisers are a range of chemical or mineral products that release nutrients necessary for plant growth. There are two main types of fertilisers – chemical (inorganic) or 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 whereby combatting any deficiencies that there may be in the natural soil such as inadequate levels of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous which can affect the plants health and growth.

Every plant requires different nutrients at different stages throughout its growth cycle. There are a diverse range of fertilisers all with differing quantities of minerals that provide either instant or slow release times dependant upon what each plant requires. For best results when using fertilisers always read the label and apply only as directed.

And, of course, if you want some additional help and advice on fertilising, then 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.

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 main type is called Macronutrients and they include 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, mostly derived from the soil and required in large amounts for use in cellular growth and development. If there is a deficiency in Nitrogen the plant will grow slowly and will 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 amounts. These nutrients come under the title of Micronutrients and they are used for plant metabolism and photosynthesis.

Plant nutrients play a major factor in plant health. If the soil is lacking in any type of nutrient plants can suffer from stunted growth, deformity, discolorations and abnormal or shortened life cycles.

Every type of plant requires different levels of nutrients in order to obtain optimum growth and performance. So if you notice your plant looking the worse for wear, ensure that it is getting enough nutrients by boosting the soil with manure or compost or apply a fertiliser.

And, of course, if you want some additional help and advice on fertilising, then 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

The same as plants, grass and turf require nutrients in order to grow strong and healthy root systems and a lush green lawn.

The healthier your lawn is the better it will grow, and the better able 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 the signs of being in a poor condition and require an added boost of nutrients to help improve their standard of health.

The lawn nutrients that are required for turf grass can be obtained naturally form the soil these being primarily Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorous. A Ph 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 element. This can then be rectified by applying a fertiliser such as a nitrogen fertiliser or an iron supplement. Applying Nitrogen to the lawn will help to 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 some additional help and advice on fertilising, then 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 that is added to the soil to improve its ability to provide nutrition to the plants. This can come in a range of forms including fertilisers, organic matter and living organisms such as earth worms.

Soil conditioning may be required if you have either sandy or clay soil types.

Sandy soils although excellent for drainage take away all the nutrients from the soil. To fix you will need to add organic matter such as grass clippings, manure, and leaves to the soil and mix 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 will need to 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 have general poor health and performance.

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

And, of course, if you want some additional help and advice on soil conditioning, then 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 and are derived from animal, vegetable and plant matter and include 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 to loosen the soil, create more oxygen flow to the plant roots and improve drainage. Worms also assist by creating a healthy, nutrient rich soil through the waste that they excrete which is 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 is effectively used as a growth enhancer for plants.

Organic Fertilisers are available in bags or in liquid form and can be used in a similar manner to chemical or synthetic fertilisers but as they are not as potent will often need to be used in a larger quantity to have the same effect.

A big benefit of organic fertilisers is that they work slowly – they have to be broken down by the soil organisms in order for the nutrients to be released into the soil. 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 some additional help and advice on fertilising, then 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.