Fertilisers

About Fertilisers

Fertilisers are essential products for maintaining healthy, vibrant plants, lawns, and gardens throughout the year. Whether nurturing a vegetable patch, maintaining a pristine lawn, or growing flowers in containers, the right fertiliser provides vital nutrients that plants need to thrive. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks a comprehensive range including traditional organic options like blood, fish and bone from trusted brands such as Vitax and Doff, alongside modern concentrated liquid feeds designed for specific plant types and growing conditions.

From all-purpose garden fertilisers like growmore and bonemeal to specialised formulations for tomatoes, containers, and lawns, these products deliver essential nutrients—primarily nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK)—that may be lacking in your soil. Organic options such as seaweed-based fertilisers release nutrients gradually whilst improving soil structure, while liquid concentrates offer fast-acting solutions for plants showing signs of nutrient deficiency.

Applications

• Professional Gardeners and Horticulturalists: Maintaining client gardens, estates, and commercial landscaping to the highest standards
• Landscape Contractors: Establishing new planting schemes and maintaining grounds for residential and commercial properties
• Groundskeepers: Managing sports pitches, golf courses, parks, and public green spaces
• Allotment Holders: Growing vegetables and fruit crops requiring regular feeding for optimal yields
• Garden Centre Staff: Maintaining stock plants and advising customers on plant nutrition
• DIY Gardeners: Caring for lawns, flower beds, vegetable patches, and container plants
• Small-Scale Agricultural Workers: Market gardens and farming operations requiring soil amendment products

Choosing The Right Fertilisers

Consider what you're growing—lawns require high-nitrogen feeds for lush green growth, flowering plants benefit from higher potassium levels, and vegetables need balanced nutrition. Tomatoes have specific requirements best met by dedicated tomato feeds with higher potassium content to promote fruit development.

Think about your application method and frequency. Granular products like growmore and blood, fish and bone are ideal for general garden use and can be worked into soil or applied as top dressing. Liquid concentrates from MyToolShed.co.uk offer flexibility for container plants, hanging baskets, and when plants need a quick nutrient boost. Slow-release formulations such as pellets reduce maintenance by feeding plants over extended periods.

Decide between organic and inorganic options. Organic fertilisers like bonemeal and seaweed extract improve soil structure and support beneficial soil organisms whilst feeding plants gradually. Inorganic fertilisers typically work faster and offer more precise nutrient control. Check product coverage rates—liquid concentrates may appear smaller but dilute to cover large areas, offering better value than ready-to-use products.

Safety Information

Always read product labels thoroughly and follow manufacturer's application rates—over-application can damage plants and harm the environment. Store all fertiliser products in their original packaging in a cool, dry location away from children, pets, and foodstuffs. Wear appropriate protective equipment, particularly gloves when handling organic products or concentrated formulations.

Keep pets and children away from treated areas until products have been watered in or absorbed as directed. Avoid applying fertilisers immediately before heavy rain or near ponds and streams to prevent nutrient runoff into waterways. Dispose of empty containers responsibly according to local authority guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to apply fertiliser?

General garden fertilisers are typically applied in spring when plants begin active growth, with additional applications during the growing season. Lawns benefit from feeding in spring and autumn. Liquid feeds for containers and tomatoes are applied regularly during the growing season, usually fortnightly. Avoid feeding during frost or drought conditions.

What's the difference between organic and inorganic fertilisers?

Organic fertilisers are derived from natural plant or animal materials, such as blood, fish and bone or seaweed. They release nutrients slowly and improve soil structure. Inorganic fertilisers are synthetically manufactured, typically work faster, and offer more precise nutrient control but don't improve soil structure. Many gardeners use both types for different purposes.

Can I use the same fertiliser for all my plants?

Whilst general-purpose fertilisers like growmore suit many common garden plants, specific crops benefit from specialised formulations. Lawns need high-nitrogen feeds, tomatoes require potassium-rich feeds once flowering begins, and container plants need more frequent feeding than those in open ground. Reading plant labels and fertiliser recommendations ensures optimal results.