Organic
Made from plant and animal waste: seaweek, fish food, sheep pellets, chicken manure, blood and bone*
Tend to be low in NPK but lots of organic matter that is a good soil conditioner.
Need to be broken down to work.
Inorganic
Syntetics: Urea, nitrate of soda, sulphare of ammonia, sulphate of potash
Mined: Nitrogen. Potassium.
Do not last long in soil, can easily be washed away.
Lime and superphosphate can take a long time to work but effects last a long time.
Controlled release
Generally high levels of NPK
Slow release
Generally high levels of NPK
Liquid
watering into soil.
Rapid boost of nutrients
Not long lasting
More of a treat than a long term food as constant application can be time consuming
Seaweed Tea – full of nutients. particularly potassium. Best used as a foliar feed.
Comfrey Leaf Tea. – Rich in absolutely everything. Simply soak wilted comfrey leaves in water.
Mulching
conserve soil moisture and contol temperature
Comfrey leaves make a fantastic mulch
| Element | Symbol | What it does/How the plant uses it |
| Nitrogen | N | Used in photosynthesis and production of plant proteins and enzymes |
| Phosphorus | P | Used to stor energy and as part of the cell membrane |
| Potassium | K | Used in metabolism, sugar production and transportation. Essential for water uptake |
| Sulphur | S | Used in Protein production, cell function and growth |
| Calcium | Ca | Aids in the uptake of other minerals from the soil and strengthens cell walls. |
| Magnesium | Mg | At the center of photosynthesis and used in plant respiration |
| Boron | B | Used for root growth and general plant health. AIds in the uptake of Calcium and Nitrogen |
| Manganese | Mn | Used in photosynthesis and enzyme activation |
| Iron | Fe | Used in chlorophyll production and plant respiration. Carries oxygen |
| Zinc | Zn | Plant growth stimulator and enzyme activator |
| Copper | Cu | Aids in production of plant enzymes, chlorophyll and sugars |
| Cobalt | Co | |
| Silica | Si | Stem strength |
