Are fertiliser and plant food the same thing?
Fertiliser and plant food are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same thing. While they both provide nutrients to plants, there are differences in their composition and application.
What are fertilisers?
Fertiliser is a substance or mixture of substances that is applied to soil or plants to promote their growth. Fertilisers typically contain three primary macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), as well as secondary macronutrients and micronutrients. The primary macronutrients are important for plant growth, with nitrogen aiding in leaf growth and stem development, phosphorus promoting root growth and flower formation, and potassium contributing to overall plant health and stress tolerance.
Fertilisers come in different forms, including liquid, granular, or powder. They can be applied directly to the soil or sprayed onto plant foliage. Fertilisers can also be organic or inorganic. Organic fertilisers are derived from natural sources, such as manure, bone meal, or compost, while inorganic fertilisers are synthetically produced using chemicals.
Fertilisers we recommend:
You can't go wrong with Westland Growmore Garden Fertiliser, a great staple in the diet of all of your shrubs, trees, borders and beds.
Another good fertiliser is the Maxicrop Seaweed Plus All Purpose Organic Garden Fertiliser. Plant super-food, based on seaweed extracts that will give your garden a real health boost.
What is plant food?
Plant food is a type of fertiliser that is designed to be applied directly to the plant rather than to the soil. Plant food is typically used to supplement the nutrients that are already present in the soil and provide additional nutrients for the plant. Plant food can come in different forms, including liquid, powder, or granules, and can be applied directly to the plant foliage or soil.
Plant food is often used for indoor plants or container plants, where the nutrients in the soil can be quickly depleted due to limited space and nutrients. Plant food is also useful for plants that are grown hydroponically, where there is no soil to provide nutrients. You will also find a wide variety of specialist plant food available on the market, these will have been specially designed to cater to each plants needs.
Plant food we recommend:
While there are many different types of specific plant food, this Westland Rose Specialist Liquid is especially good for helping your roses flourish this year.
Westland Organic Seaweed Specialist Liquid Feed is perfect to be used on anything in your gardens, from trees to bedding to vegetables.
So, while fertiliser and plant food both provide nutrients to plants, fertiliser is typically applied to the soil to provide essential nutrients for plant growth, while plant food is designed to be applied directly to the plant to supplement nutrients already present in the soil. Knowing the difference between these two types of products can help gardeners choose the best option for their plants' specific needs.
