← Organic fertiliser FAQ

What does organic fertiliser do?

Organic fertiliser supplies the nutrients plants need and feeds soil life at the same time, releasing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium slowly while adding organic matter that improves structure and water holding.

Think of it like food. Organic fertiliser is food for plants in its natural form: an orange carries its vitamin C along with fibre, sugars and water, whereas a vitamin C tablet carries the vitamin and nothing else. Organic fertiliser is the orange, and a conventional, synthetic feed is the tablet. Both deliver the nutrient, but only the orange feeds the whole system, soil and all.

The first job is nutrition. Nitrogen drives leafy growth, phosphorus supports roots and flowering, and potassium helps fruiting and general hardiness. An organic feed delivers these as microbes mineralise the material, so the supply roughly tracks the warmth of the season, when plants are growing fastest.

The second job is soil. The organic fractions feed worms, bacteria and fungi, and that activity improves crumb structure, drainage and the soil's ability to hold both water and nutrients. A synthetic feed gives the plant a quick meal but adds nothing to the soil, which is the main practical difference over time.

There are limits worth stating. Organic feeding is slower to show, especially in cold soil, and the analysis is lower, so you apply more by weight. For most outdoor beds, borders and pots that is a fair trade.