A Quick Guide To Spring Fertilising

12 Sep, 2026

As the days lengthen, and soil warms, your garden shifts into its biggest growth spurt of the year with new leaves, flowers and fruit all demanding energy at once. Winter rain has washed the nutrients out of the soil, so most gardens head into spring running low right when demand is about to spike. Fertilising now fuels new growth, helps plants flower and fruit more freely, and builds stronger root systems needed to cope with Auckland's summer dry spells ahead.
Which Fertiliser Is Right For You?

Granular

Granular fertiliser comes as small, dry pellets or crumbs that you scatter by hand or with a spreader across the soil surface. Once down, it releases its nutrients slowly as you water or when it rains, feeding steadily through the coming weeks rather than in one big hit. That makes it ideal for borders, lawns and established beds, think roses, shrubs, hedging or a patch of lawn that needs feeding for the season ahead. Because it works with your existing watering routine, there's nothing extra to remember once it's applied.

Recommended: Kings General Garden Food

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Slow-Release

Slow-release fertiliser looks similar to granular but is coated so its nutrients are released gradually over months from a single application, rather than all at once. That makes it the low-effort choice for pots and containers, where regular watering (and rain running straight through the drainage holes) washes nutrients out faster than they would leach from garden soil. Think patio pots, hanging baskets or potted citrus, plants that would otherwise need feeding every few weeks just to keep up. Apply once at the start of the season and you're largely set until it's due again.

Recommended: Kings Slow Release General Garden Food

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Liquid

Liquid fertiliser is mixed with water and either poured around the roots or applied as a foliar spray, and because it's already dissolved, plants can take it up almost immediately through both roots and leaves. That makes it the fastest option when a plant needs an instant boost, think new seedlings finding their feet, veggies just coming into flower, or a plant that's looking a bit sorry for itself and showing signs of deficiency. It doesn't last as long in the soil as granular or slow-release, so it's best used as a top-up rather than your only feed.

Recommended: Kings Fast Food General Garden Food

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New To Fertilising? A Few Basics

More isn't always better. Using too much of one fertiliser, or too many types at once, can do as much damage as not using enough, so always stick to the rate on the label rather than guessing.

When applying, spread it evenly around the plant out to the edge of its foliage, rather than piling it against the stem or trunk.

Still unsure? Pop into your local Kings and we'll help you choose the perfect fertiliser for your garden.

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