HOW TO FEED YOUR GARDEN
Garden plants need food to grow. Different plants need different fertilisers and different feeding schedules. Here are tips on feeding and growing healthy plants.
TOP TIPS ON FEEDING YOUR GARDEN
The rule is: Use compost to enhance the soil conditions. Make your own compost heap if you are serious about gardening. If you do not have the space to make your own compost, Chamberlains sell bags for your convenience.
Liquid fertilisers
This is an effective way to feed your plants. We stock gwano liquid fertilisers, Sea-Gro, Nitrosol and a host of other products, just ask anyone in the gardening department. Use liquid fertilizers in all your pots.
Organic fertilisers
Chamberlains stocks organic fertilisers in various sizes and brands. Bounce Back is the most popular.
Non-organic fertilisers
These are formulated for specific uses on grass, trees, shrubs and vegetables.
Shade plants
Flowering plants
Preparation - use superphosphate or bonemeal for root development. Mix and plant in compost.
Maintenance - use nitrosol liquid fertiliser or seaweed extract every 7-10 days.
Care - sprinkle organic pellets like Tarlborne organic 3-1-5 three times a year (or when needed). Remember to water well.
Leaf plants
Preparation - use superphosphate or bonemeal for root development. Mix and plant in compost.
Maintenance - use wonder or nitrosol liquid fertiliser or seaweed extract every 14 days.
Care - sprinkle organic pellets once a year (or when needed). Remember to water well.
Tip All lawn grass, even if labelled as shade-tolerant, struggles if it doesn't get enough light. If you're battling with a big patch of fading grass, try keeping a small section of lawn and make a landscape element by surrounding it with a wide patch of shade-loving plants.
Vegetables
Vegetables
Above ground
Preparation - use superphosphate or bonemeal for root development and compost or kraal manure.
Plant development - use 6-4-3 organic pellets for maximum foliage, fruit and root development for harvesting.
Care - water well, keep soil moist.
Potted
Preparation – Use potting soil to plant in. remember to place stones at the bottom of the pot to ensure good drainage.
Plant development- Fertilize with any liquid fertilizers after planting. Keep the soil moist.
Below ground
Preparation - use superphosphate or bonemeal for root development and compost or kraal manure.
Plant/root development - use 6-4-3 organic pellets for maximum foliage, fruit and root development for harvesting.
Maintenance - - use wonder or Nitrosol liquid fertilizer or seaweed extract every 14 days.
Care - water well, keep soil moist.
Fruit trees
Citrus fruit
Preparation - use superphosphate or bonemeal for root development and compost.
Flower/fruit development - use 3:1 :5 (26).
Maintenance - use 1 tsp magnesium sulphate (Epsom salt).
Deciduous fruit
Preparation - use superphosphate or bonemeal for root development.
Flower/fruit development - use 3:1 :5 (26).
Maintenance - use 2:3:2 (14).
Quinces
Preparation - use superphosphate or bonemeal for root development.
Flower/fruit development - use 3:1 :5 (26).
Maintenance - use 2:3:2 (14).
Guavas
Preparation - use superphosphate or bonemeal for root development.
Flower/fruit development - use 3:1 :5 (26).
Maintenance - use 2:3:2 (14).
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO ON HOW TO PLANT A TREE
Pot plants
Flowering plants
Preparation - Use potting soil to plant in. remember to place stones at the bottom of the pot to ensure good drainage.
Maintenance - use wonder or Nitrosol liquid fertilizer or seaweed extract every 14-21 days.
Care – keep soil moist, don’t let the soil dry out or over water.
Leaf plants
Preparation - use superphosphate or bonemeal for root development. Mix and plant with compost.
Maintenance - use Nitrosol liquid fertilizer or seaweed extract every 14-21 days. Use a fertilizer that has a very high content of nitrogen.
Care - sprinkle organic pellets once a year (or when needed). Remember to water well.
Lawn
Kikuyu
Preparation - use superphosphate or 2-3-2 fertilizer for root development.
Growth development - use 3:2: 1 (28) chemical or organic Bounce back fertilizers.
Maintenance - use LAN or 5-1-5 fertilizer in the summer and rainy season.
Care - can be top dressed in early spring with top soil or lawn dressing.
LM
Preparation - use superphosphate or 2-3-2 for root development.
Growth development - use 3:2:1 (28).
Maintenance - use LAN or 2:3:2.
Care - only top dress on damaged areas.
Tip When mowing your lawn, raise the mower to the highest possible notch so that you mow only the top third of the grass - taller grass promotes better root development.
Flowering plants
Roses
Preparation - use superphosphate or bonemeal for root development.
Flower/fruit development - use 8:1 :5 (25).
Maintenance - use 3-1-5 (14).
Shrubs
Preparation - use superphosphate or bonemeal for root development.
Flower/fruit development - use 3:1 :5 (26).
Maintenance - use 2:3:2 (14).
Flowering trees
Preparation - use superphosphate or bonemeal for root development.
Flower/fruit development - use 3:1 :5 (26).
Maintenance - use 2:3:2 (14).