What are the main benefits of using granular fertiliser over granulated and vice versa? Why is granulated fertiliser the most common form? Would it hurt your plants to use a granular feed instead of granulated?
Granular and granulated fertilisers are two very different types or product. Although both are granules, granular products are a blend of nutrients as individual granules in their own right. Granulated products are where the nutrients are dissolved to a specific ratio, and then reformed into a new unique granule. For example, let us say you need 50/50 nitrogen and phosphate for your fertiliser product. Let us also assume the nitrogen is blue granules, and the phosphate is yellow granules. In a granular product, you would see a blend of blue and yellow granules mixed together. However, in a granulated product, you would see a new green granule, where each granule now contains 50% nitrogen and 50% phosphate.
Granular
Granular fertiliser is most commonly used as a means to prepare the soil’s nutrient levels before planting. The fertiliser is first spread and mixed evenly across the soil, then left to absorb into the earth.
Granular fertiliser takes longer to absorb than granulated fertiliser. This means that it can be used most effectively to slowly release nutrients over time. Add granular fertiliser mixed with compost to your flowerbeds and borders during the spring-time. When watering your plants in the future, the fertiliser will break down further and get into your plant’s root system.
Granulated
Granulated fertiliser is produced by mixing all of the pre-weighed ingredients together with a solvent to produce a new granule. This is costly, but makes for a finer product, providing a more uniform spread, preventing patchiness in your lawn or your flower-bed.
Because of the more precise nature of granulated lawn fertiliser, you can work out exact measurements for spreading. They also dissolve quickly, so nutrients are readily washed down to the root system, so available to plants and grass faster than that of a granular product.
Granulated fertiliser is therefore more popular then granular fertiliser in the Horticultural and Amenity sector, because it is easier to spread more evenly and you can refine its quantity better. They are both usually made from the same ingredients, but they come in different forms, allowing for a faster or slower release. For more information on spreading rates, please see our information page.
We produce fine-quality granular and granulated fertiliser for a wide variety of applications. Our zero phosphate micro fine fertiliser is perfect for most sports grounds, in particular. Contact us today on 0117 311 1217 with any questions you might have about your fertiliser treatment
