Growing Plants Successfully - Planting & Feeding

Taking a bit of extra care when you are planting pays dividends in the long run, as plants establish and flourish more quickly, when planted correctly after purchase.

Before you start digging, try placing your newly purchased plants in the position you have chosen in the garden, then step back to visualise how the arrangement is going to look. Take care to look at the size the plant is going to grow to, so you don’t find in a few years that you are pruning a shrub drastically to stop it from taking over the border. When satisfied with the position, mark the spot and move your plant to one side so you can start preparing the ground correctly.

For a shrub or tree, ensure you dig a hole between 10-20cms wider and 10-15cms deeper than the pot that the plant comes in, as this will allow you to add organic material or peat to the soil, which will encourage rapid root development. When planting trees, roses or shrubs, line the planting hole with a pre prepared mixture of garden soil, peat or peat substitute and bone meal, which will help the plant to readily establish in it’s new position. Alternatively you can purchase a Tree & Shrub compost that combines all the nutrients required and will benefit the plant in much the same way.

Ensure that when you come to planting your tree or shrub, that you remove the plastic pot and carefully loosen some of the roots before positioning in your prepared hole. Always step back to ensure you position the plant to show it’s best aspect then carefully add your prepared compost in around the plant, firming the soil as you go. Ensure that the plant is not too deep. The topsoil on the pot should not be any deeper than 1-2cm below the surrounding soil level. Burying a plant is a sure way to shorten its life. Give your plant a gentle pull to test you have planted it firmly then water well.

When planting a tree always use a stake & tie to secure it, especially in more exposed situations. The stake should go in first to avoid root damage. If the weather is dry, keep the plant well watered until it is established.

Feeding

There are a variety of different types of fertiliser available, to suit different types of plants and situations. Follow our guide below or ask our experts in store to advise you on your particular needs.

• Vegetables

Use either a general-purpose granular fertiliser, such as Growmore or Vitax Q4 or suitable organic option. Top up feeds for slower maturing crops can be given to help increase yields. You can either use the same granular fertiliser, making sure it is watered in either naturally or artificially if the weather is dry or, for faster absorption and no need to water in, you can use a general- purpose soluble fertiliser. Alternatively, if you wish to be really specific and are implementing crop rotation, use a straight high phosphorous fertiliser such as Superphosphate, for your root crops and legumes and a high nitrogen fertiliser such as Ammonium Nitrate, for brassicas.

• Established  shrubs

Either a top dressing of a general-purpose fertiliser such as GROWMORE or organic equivalent or a controlled release feed applied in the spring will ensure your plants are healthy and happy. Alternatively, regular feeds of a soluble or liquid fertiliser throughout the season will keep your plants looking good.

• Containers

Plants grown in tubs, baskets and window boxes have a high demand for nutrients as they are grown so closely together. Use either a controlled release fertiliser at planting time, which will feed them all season or feed weekly with a suitable soluble or liquid feed.

• Roses

Whilst a general-purpose fertiliser will improve the health and vigour of your roses, for best results use a specialist rose fertiliser in the spring and mid-summer. This will really encourage your roses to bloom. Rose food is also ideal for other flowering shrubs.

• Tomatoes

For healthy plants and the best yield, choose a specialist tomato fertiliser like Tomorite. These may be used on other fruiting crops like peppers

• Acid loving plants

Acid loving plants, termed ericaceous plants, such as Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Camellias are prone to iron deficiency, which will make the young leaves yellow and the plants unthrifty. Special ericaceous fertilisers contain iron in a form that is easily taken up by these plants and will help to keep them looking good. These should be applied routinely in the spring and/or at the first sign of deficiency. These fertilisers are referred to as sequestered iron and are normally purchased as crystals or powder to dilute in water.