Are your plants looking fab this year, or are you wondering why your plants have less flowers on them?
The solution is quite often feeding. Many gardens throughout the world suffer from a lack of feeding - it can be quite amazing what a bit of plant food can do for your garden.

Container plants will require regular feeding during the growing season, since the only available nutrients are within the pot but when these have been absorbed it is necessary to replenish the growing medium with nutrients. Liquid, powder and granular fertilisers are most commonly used for container plants due to them being fast acting and easy to use. It is important to read the fertiliser label carefully to ensure the correct dosage is applied to avoid any disappointing displays.

Beds and borders are fed in a slightly different way because of a greater availability of nutrients in the soil. Mulches such as peat free composts and manures can be used to incorporate organic matter into the soil to ensure nutrient levels are maintained in the soil. Mulches are best applied when the soil is moist, in spring before weeds start to appear, having the added benefit of acting as a weed suppressant.

When it comes to feeding, acid loving plants such as Acers, Azaleas, Camellias and Rhododendrons need special treatment. They require an ericaceous feed to ensure the roots are able to absorb nutrients efficiently. These feeds come in the form of ericaceous compost and slow release fertilisers.

A well nourished garden is a gorgeous garden!