Stop Hurting Your Garden: Avoid Fertiliser Burn

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Stop Hurting Your Garden: Avoid Fertiliser Burn

Josh | November 24, 2014 | 0 Comments

Most home gardeners know the importance of a good plant fertilisation program in an effort to grow bigger and healthier plants. They pay attention to the proper use of fertilisers to provide plants the nutrients needed for optimum growth.

A common mistake committed by first-time gardeners, however, is centred on using too much of it. This is mainly because some gardeners are too excited and do not have the patience needed to grow bigger plants or a thicker and greener lawn. Excessive application, however, will cause nitrogen and salt levels to increase, which may damage or kill the plant.

This phenomenon, called fertiliser burn, causes root problems, reducing the ability of the plant to absorb water and nutrients. If you are guilty of this, chances are that you are causing serious damage to your garden.

Stressed Plants

As the plants cannot absorb enough nutrients, they will show symptoms of dehydration. Lawns, for instance, will have yellow or brown patches of grass. Reduced water intake and too much salt can also weaken the foliage. Certain plants are also easily stressed, making them vulnerable to foliar diseases.

Sometimes, excess fertiliser causes more damage than a lack of it. Excess minerals can build up, and some plants do not have the tolerance for it.

Saving the Garden

Over fertilised plants and lawns can sometimes be saved depending on the amount applied and how quickly you address the problem. Signs of over fertilisation include slightly damage like wilting or an appearance of weakness. Seriously damaged plants, however, may look burned and have leaves that collapse from the edges inward.

Long and deep watering will remove excess fertiliser from the soil. Flushing the garden needs careful consideration to make sure that you do not create standing puddles of water. It is much better to hire garden experts to help you with this process.

Prevent fertiliser burn in the future by having your soil tested. It is also best to use broadcast spreaders to evenly distribute it in larger areas. Be sure to water them thoroughly after the application to move fertilisers through the soil. If you have any problems, give us a call and let us help you out with your garden and landscaping issues.