How to fertilise properly

Step 1: Why should I fertilise?

When sprouting, flowering and growing fruit plants consume many nutrients which they absorb from the soil. One distinguishes here between major nutrients which the plant needs in great quantities and minor nutrients, of which only small amounts are consumed. All nutrients have to be there in the right dose and correct proportion; otherwise the plants will suffer from malnutrition, cannot develop properly and become diseased.

Where nature is left alone the nutrition balance often regulates itself without interference. Dead plant parts rot and are reconverted into nutrients which the plants can absorb, by microorganisms. In our home gardens however, this cycle is interrupted by constant planting, harvesting and garden maintenance. Furthermore, nutrients in artificial beds are more easily washed out by the rain. Regular fertilising fertiliser resupplies the soil with all major and minor nutrients and ensures optimal plant growth.