Gardeners urged to apply autumn fertiliser without delay

Gardener Kersti Rannamäe says now is the last opportunity to apply autumn fertiliser, as plants need four to six weeks to absorb the nutrients required to prepare for winter, ERR reported.

Autumn fertilising is intended to help perennial plants become stronger before winter. Rannamäe advised against using nitrogen-rich fertiliser on perennials because nitrogen encourages continued growth. Nitrogen fertilising should be stopped by mid-July, she said.

Summer flowers can continue to be fertilised as long as they are blooming and warm weather lasts. Nitrogen fertilisation of lawns should also be stopped, as grass can become weak if it receives too much nitrogen for too long.

Fertiliser packaging usually indicates which plants and seasons a product is intended for, Rannamäe said. Following the dosage instructions is particularly important. If fertilising is delayed, she recommended using liquid fertiliser because it is already dissolved, while granular fertiliser takes time to dissolve in the soil.

Rannamäe also recommended using compost in autumn. The humic substances found in compost and peat are not fertilisers themselves, but they help plants absorb macro and micronutrients from the soil. Compost that has decomposed over the summer should be sifted and dug into the soil around plants to a depth of about five centimetres. It should not be placed directly around tree trunks.

In small home gardens where plants grow close together, gardeners should also remove potential sources of pests and disease. Fallen fruit and leaves showing signs of disease should be cleared away and composted or taken to a waste station if the problems have been extensive.