If you are new to backyard gardening, you might need some good advice about plant care. Take note that this includes knowing how to fertilize your plants. Many people are unsure about the best practices of fertilizing plants. But it’s not as complicated as you might be thinking.
Caring for Potted Plants
It is ironic that your potted plants will require more fertilizer than those plants growing just anywhere. After all, shouldn’t wild plants be hardier? Actually, the opposite is true. Your potted plants have a limited amount of soil to draw nutrients from. That is why you need to ace the lesson on fertilizing to know how to care for your plants.
Some potted plants will definitely need more fertilizer than others. For example, cactus can be potted but they don’t require a lot of fertilizing. This is because cacti are usually found in desert spaces. If you are unsure how to fertilize, contact an expert in gardening services in Singapore.
Organic vs. Inorganic Fertilizers
Gardeners can choose between organic fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer. The big difference is that an organic fertilizer comes from natural sources such as kitchen scraps buried in soil or from earthworms. Generally, inorganic fertilizer can be bought packaged in garden centers. A good inorganic fertilizer should have the N-P-K formulation. This means it has Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium.
Though many people swear by the wonders of using organic fertilizer, one risk with this is that it can contain some pathogens. If you are thinking of creating your own compost or vermicompost, you need to be careful. The compost has to be fully decomposed to be safe to put on your plants. Otherwise, you can play it safe by buying inorganic fertilizer instead.
Avoid Carnivore Dung
One major mistake some gardeners make is to use the feces of carnivorous animals as organic fertilizer. This is especially risky if the feces comes from cats or dogs. The feces may contain dangerous pathogens that can contaminate your garden. It is best to completely avoid using the feces of your cat or dog in the garden. Never put these in your vegetable garden because the feces may contaminate your edible vegetables.
You may use the dung of herbivores such as cows or horses in your garden. But to play it safe, refrain from using dung from any source in your vegetable garden if you’re not sure of the source.
If you need assistance in garden maintenance, we at Urban Landscape Singapore may be able to help. Whether it is sourcing the right fertilizer or other aspects of plant care, you can count on us to stand and deliver.
