Only add fertilisers to plants before and during the growing season, because these additions tend to be washed out of the soil during winter. Synthetic fertilizers have long-term negative effects. Synthetic fertilizers kill beneficial microorganisms in the soil that convert dead human and plant remains into nutrient-rich organic matter. Nitrogen- and phosphate-based synthetic fertilizers leach into groundwater and increase its toxicity, causing water pollution. Fertilizers that leach into streams, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water disrupt aquatic ecosystems. Synthetic fertilizers increase the nitrate levels of soil. Plants produced from such soil, upon consumption, convert to toxic nitrites in the intestines. These harmful nitrites react with the hemoglobin in the blood stream to cause methaeglobinaemia, which damages the vascular and respiratory systems, causing suffocation and even death in extreme cases (when blood methaemoglobin level is 80 percent or more). Synthetic fertilizers damage the natural makeup of soil in the long term. Plants that grow in overly fertilized soil are deficient in iron, zinc, carotene, vitamin C, copper and protein. An outstanding all-purpose fertiliser, Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser is a favourite amongst experienced gardeners and a ‘must have’ product. As a gardener, you get to the point where you have tried many things and you still are not getting the results. You look to what commercial growers and professional gardeners use in growing their crops and plants and in trying to replicate the results you often see on the TV.

For flowers and vegetables apply 140 grams per square metre before sowing seeds and planting plants. Top dress vegetable once or twice during the growing season.

Find out how to make your own compost heap Common fertilisers and their N-P-K ratios Vitax Q4 (5.3- 7.5 -10) Liquid seaweed is concentrated liquid that needs diluting. It's easy to water on to seedlings and releases nutrients slowly. High in potash but needs continual applications to improve growing conditions. Tips for using branded fertilisers It is one product that combines the benefits of growmore or fish, blood and bone with added trace elements, so possesses additional benefits. WHAT IS Q4 FERTILIZER? You can say it is a general-purpose fertiliser that has good multitude uses in the garden including containers.

It can replace the need for sulfate of ammonia for leafy crops and those plants who need a high nitrogen supply. It can replace the need for sulfate of potassium used to produce bigger blooms and more fruit, and it has enough iron via sulphate of iron to help ericaceous plants. One of the hardest things in gardening is to know whether to feed, or not, and there’s no simple answer because some plants prefer poor soil. For currants, gooseberries, raspberries and other cane fruits apply 140 grams per square metre. For strawberry apply 70 to 100 grams per square metre. It is recommended that you apply it evenly at the roots below, preferable when the soil or compost is moist. Once applied, you will need to lightly hoe the produce onto the surface and if it is dry to water it in. For roses apply 140 grams per square metre before planting or give an annual dressing for established bushes.Apply Q4 Purpose Plant Food before planting or for established plants, in the early spring. When used as a top dressing, apply the product evenly to the soil surface beneath the leaves and branches of the tree.

Use 140 g/m2 (4 oz/sq yd) before sowing and planting. Top dress vegetables at 70 g/m2 (2 oz/sq yd) once or twice during the summer months. What I usually do is broadcast growmore in the latter half of March or early April, turning it in lightly to provide a readily available 'fix' for the plants, then apply composted materials as a mulch over the top - no need to dig it in (though you can if you prefer) it gets taken down into the soil anyway over time, to take care of longer term plant and soil health. If you're a follower of 'no dig' gardening, then broadcast the growmore and apply a mulch over the top, without digging the soil, provided there's no weed/moss growth present. Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser: Apply throughout the growing season Contains vital plant foods and trace elements essential for abundant growth of flowers and crops An easy to handle, low dust, pelleted fertiliser. For best results apply evenly to soil, preferably when it is wet. Q4 Fertiliser is perfect for roses either prior to planting out or for established bushes when it can be applied as a top dressing in the spring.

Technical specifications

Q4 All Purpose Plant Food contains vital plant foods and trace elements that are essential for the growth of flowers and crops. This product was originally developed for commercial growers. Q4 All Purpose Plant Food produces bigger, brighter blooms and bumper sized crops. Vitax Q4 Multi-Purpose Compost is based on the finest Irish Moss Peat obtained from our own peat mire in County Kildare, Ireland. All peat used in this compost is obtained from within the existing boundaries which have been worked for many years. Virgin areas of the mire are not exploited.