No matter whether in the garden or in the tub: Plants - like all living things - need food to grow and thrive. So that your roses bloom beautifully, the lawn stays green and you can hope for a rich harvest in the vegetable patch, you have to fertilize. With a long-term fertilizer, your plants are well cared for for at least three months. But which fertilizers with long-term effects are really recommended?

Organic fertilizer is the best slow release fertilizer

Our recommendations

our recommendation
Compo Bio universal long-term fertilizer with sheep's wool for all garden plants, 5 months long-term effect, 2 kg
9.99 EUR To the product
quantity / packaging 2 kilograms
Suitable for all garden plants
fertilizer type organic
fertilizer form pellets
NPK composition 5+4+6
ingredients 50% sheep wool, meat bone meal, vegetable substances
price/kg about {PRICE/2} EUR

Organic fertilizers have a natural long-term effect, as the nutrients they contain are only released through the decomposition process. This long-term fertilizer, which consists of purely organic ingredients and is approved for organic farming, supplies all garden plants and potted plants that consume a lot (e.g. geraniums, petunias, etc.) with all the necessary nutrients for up to five months. The main component of the fertilizer is sheep's wool, but it also contains meat and bone meal as well as vegetable substances from the food, luxury food and animal feed industries. You can use the Compo Bio Universal long-term fertilizer for all vegetable plants, fruit trees and ornamental plants. The practical pellet form allows easy dosing and application.

our recommendation
Plantura organic universal fertilizer with 3 months long-term effect, plant fertilizer, 1.5 kg, for vigorous plants, 100% animal-free & organic, good for the soil, harmless to pets and garden animals, natural fertilizer
14.99 EUR To the product
quantity / packaging 1.5 kilograms
Suitable for for all garden and house plants
fertilizer type organic-mineral
fertilizer form grained
NPK composition 6+3+4
ingredients purely vegetable plus rock phosphate
price/kg approx. EUR {PRICE/1.5}

If you value a long-term fertilizer made from animal-free raw materials, then you are well advised to use the organic universal fertilizer from Plantura: This consists of purely plant-based substances from food, luxury food and feed production, and also contains mineral rock phosphate - phosphate is important for a lush flowering and for a strong root system. The high potassium content ensures that vegetables, fruit and herbs remain healthy and taste good. But the granules are not only suitable for useful plants, many ornamental plants also benefit from fertilization: Whether flowers, perennials, shrubs or indoor plants: the product, which is completely harmless to children and pets, provides all plants with the necessary nutrients.

our recommendation
Dehner organic fertilizer for vegetables, fruit and ornamental plants, 5 kg, for approx. 30 sqm
8.99 EUR To the product
quantity / packaging 5 kilograms
Suitable for for all useful and ornamental plants
fertilizer type organic
fertilizer form grained
NPK composition 4+2+2
ingredients Chicken manure, botanicals, mycorrhizal fungi, earthworm humus
price/kg about {PRICE/5} EUR

Dehner also dispenses with animal raw materials in its organic fertilizer and instead uses valuable chicken manure mixed with vegetable substances and soil-living microorganisms from earthworm humus and mycorrhiza fungi. The NPK fertilizer can be used in a variety of ways for garden and potted plants, fertilizes both vegetable and fruit plants as well as numerous ornamental plants. In addition, the natural fertilizer contains a high proportion of humus and other organic substances that stimulate soil life in the garden and thus regenerate even depleted garden soil over time. However, the long-term effect is not as long as with other long-term fertilizers: additional fertilization is indicated four weeks after planting and then again eight weeks later.

Purchase Criteria

scope of application

Depending on the composition and the respective proportions of the main nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, a distinction is made between different long-term fertilizers. The fertilizers presented here are so-called universal fertilizers that can be used for all plants. Other long-term fertilizers, on the other hand, are special fertilizers that are used, for example, for vegetables and fruit, for the lawn, for perennials, woody plants or house plants. These species have different nutrient compositions that depend on the needs of the plant species.

fertilizer form

Solid long-term fertilizer: Solid fertilizers are available in either granular or pellet form. They are easy to dose and are mostly used by lightly working the fertilizer into the soil within the root area of the plant to be fertilized and then watering it vigorously. However, solid fertilizers can usually also be dissolved in water and used like a liquid fertilizer.

liquid fertilizer: Liquid long-term fertilizers are mainly used for houseplants and other potted plants. These are highly concentrated fertilizers that are first diluted with the irrigation water and then applied.

fertilizer type

Organic Fertilizers: Purely organic long-term fertilizers consist of 100 percent natural, organic ingredients. These have a natural long-term effect, as the fertilizer first has to decompose and gradually releases the nutrients it contains. The disadvantage, however, is that short-term treatment of deficiency symptoms is not possible.

Organic mineral fertilizers: This shortcoming is compensated for by organic-mineral fertilizers, since some nutrients are obtained from mineral components and are therefore immediately available to the plants.

NPK composition

The abbreviation "NPK" covers the three main nutrients for plants: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. How much of each is in a slow-release fertilizer depends primarily on the area of application. Each plant group or species has its specific needs. For example, flowering plants need a higher proportion of phosphorus, as this stimulates flowering. Vegetable plants, in turn, have a higher need for nitrogen and potassium - the former ensures vigorous growth, while the latter ensures tasty fruit.

ingredients

In the case of fertilizers with organic components, it is advisable to take a closer look at the list of ingredients, because many conventional organic fertilizers are actually made from slaughterhouse waste - such as bone and horn meal, meat bone meal, hair and feather meal, etc. In principle, there is nothing wrong with this, as there are many valuable nutrients in these substances, which remain in the cycle and are not thrown away pointlessly. However, some people value animal-free products: In this case, you should pay more attention to additives such as "purely plant-based" etc.

frequently asked Questions

What is slow release fertilizer?

Just like humans need to eat regularly, plants need a regular supply of nutrients. This applies in particular to potted plants, as they cannot take care of themselves in their cramped environment. A long-term fertilizer - also known as a depot fertilizer or long-term fertilizer - is a fertilizer that gradually releases the nutrients over a longer period of time. This has the advantage that you do not have to fertilize weekly.

When is the best time to apply long-term fertilizer?

When you apply the long-term fertilizer depends on the duration of the fertilizer effect. Some strains only need to be applied once a year, while others should be applied to your plants two or even three times per season. The first fertilization is always in spring, usually between March and April. If necessary, a second dose is given in June, and a third in early autumn. An exception is the so-called autumn fertilizer, which you only apply in autumn.

Which slow-release fertilizer is best for my lawn?

Which long-term fertilizer is best suited for your lawn depends on the composition of the grass (ornamental lawn or play lawn?), the composition of the soil and the vegetation (a lot of moss and/or weeds)? For the latter, there are special slow-release fertilizers with integrated weed and/or moss killers. Otherwise, it helps to first have a soil analysis carried out and see which nutrients your lawn is now lacking. Then adjust the fertilization accordingly.

How long does such a long-term fertilizer last?

There are different types of long-term fertilizers, the fertilizer effect of which is effective for different lengths of time. Some varieties only need to be applied once per season - usually in spring or, if it is an autumn fertilizer, also in autumn - or two or three times. Many of these fertilizers have a long-term effect of between three and five months, but some only last four to eight weeks.

Which manufacturers offer long-term fertilizers?

Basically, you can't go wrong with proven branded products such as Compo, Compo Bio, Plantura, Substral, Dehner or Wolf Garten: These manufacturers offer a wide range of tried and tested fertilizers with which your plants are well supplied. In addition, you can of course also put together your own long-term fertilizer, for example from horn shavings, (32.93€) compost, well-seasoned stable manure or self-made plant manure. The disadvantage here, however, is that you do not know the exact nutrient composition and this also fluctuates.

equipment

horn shavings

our recommendation
Dehner organic horn shavings with long-term effect, for balcony and garden plants, 2.5 kg, for approx. 25 sqm
8.49 EUR To the product

Horn shavings (€32.93) are a natural, purely organic long-term fertilizer with a high nitrogen content. These are the crushed hooves or claws of cattle, which are mainly made of horn. Horn shavings provide the plants with valuable nutrients and also stimulate soil life - those who use organic fertilizers also improve the formation of humus in the garden.

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