SPRING GARDENING s l a i t n e ss E
Robin Williams couldn’t have put it better when he said that “Spring is nature’s way of saying let’s party!”. During spring an abundance of plants step proudly into the gardening spotlight and put on the most magnificent flower show.
Bare branches of apple, pear and stone fruit trees are smothered in bee attracting blossoms, azaleas and magnolias are dazzling and swathes of spring flowering bulbs are delighting us with their gorgeous blooms. It’s important that plants can access enough nutrients to promote healthy leaf and stem growth, as well as support the spring flower extravaganza. The three main nutrients required by plants are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Plant foods containing these three nutrients are known as ‘complete’ fertilisers. Nitrogen is key in encouraging healthy green leaf and stem growth, phosphorus plays an important role in root development and potassium promotes flowering, fruiting and overall plant health. During spring, it’s important to feed plants regularly with a complete fertiliser. And using fertilisers that are specially formulated for different plant types are ideal, as they contain the right balance of nutrients for those plants, for example, citrus and fruit, vegies and herbs or roses and flowers. To maximise spring flowering, feed plants with a potassium-rich fertiliser such as Yates® Thrive® Flower & Fruit Soluble Fertiliser. It’s as simple as mixing 1-2 spoonfuls into a 9L watering can and applying around the plant’s root zone every week.
Green thumb
tip!
Yates Thrive Flower & Fruit also contains trace elements such as iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc for extra plant vitality.
