Plant Food

Plant food & fertiliser FAQs

It can sometimes be tricky to know where to start when you are looking at different plant food and fertiliser to buy – there are plenty of options! Fear not, our team of experts have put together some of the answers to our frequently asked questions that may help.

Need further advice? Be sure to pay a visit to our growing guides which may help or contact us Monday-Saturday.

Should I be using plant food?

We have found across 75 years of experience in helping gardeners grow better that properly fed plants are stronger, more robust and way more beautiful. If you feel as though your growing efforts have fallen short for some time, it is probably time to introduce your plants to fertiliser for plants or all-purpose plant food.

Each one of your plants likely has specific wants and needs though. Speak to us to find a more thorough diagnosis of what plant food is required for each of your options.

When is the best time to buy plant food?

It's always worth having plant food and fertiliser stored up, especially if you plan on growing right across the calendar.

That being said, the best time to buy your plant food is generally before you're likely to need it most in spring. This is when your plant is in what we call peak 'growth mode' and at its most hungry as it searches for the nutrients that will provide flowers and fruit.

Are plant food and plant fertilisers the same thing?

In essence, yes. Plant fertiliser is the horticulturally correct name for these products, but we humans gain our nutrients from food so that name perhaps makes more sense to us.

Technically plants use their leaves to make their food from the sunlight (clever things!) and take in nutrients from the ground via their roots.

Fertiliser and food for plants are typically added to the soil that the plant is growing in to significantly increase the nutrient levels. What does this do? It encourages stability and strength, consistently. Plants need around 16 different elements to truly thrive and 13 of these come from the soil they are planted in or through the addition of fertilisers.

There is often little difference between products called plant food and plant fertiliser.

Tips before you buy plant food online

Plant food most certainly isn't a 'one size fits all' kind of purchase and our range of products is a testament to that.

Different plants have unique needs, meaning their nutrient balances in food differ. Some require more nitrogen for leafy growth, while others need extra potassium for fruiting or strong roots. We stock products such as tomato feed and soft fruit feed granules that find the right balance.

Our key piece of advice is that you do your research. Check that the item you want to buy is proven to help in the area you are particularly focused on right now. You may have a preference for organic products or find products that are designed specifically for vegetable plots. Either way, take the time to see what best meets your list of requirements.

Why should I buy fertiliser and plant food from Marshalls Garden?

• Our team of plant care experts is here to help you grow happy, healthy plants! You may be looking for guidance on the right fertiliser for your garden or need support with your order and with over 75 years of experience in plant nutrition, we're always ready to share our knowledge with our customers.
  
• We're serious about helping gardeners make the most of their spaces. That's why we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on our products. · We're available six days a week (yes, even on bank holidays!) to make sure you get the help you need whenever you need it. · Need it fast? Our express delivery means that you get your plant food or fertiliser to your door within 24 hours. Plus, all our packaging is 100% recyclable – great for your garden and the planet.
  
• Thousands of plant lovers trust us. Don't just take our word for it, you can check out our 'Excellent' rating on Trustpilot!