From mid-October through March, applying basic fertilizers prepares your garden for robust growth. With countless options available, selecting the right ones hinges on understanding each nutrient's role. As seasoned horticulturists, we've compiled this reliable list of proven fall fertilizers.

Here's a curated selection for autumn use.

Nitrogen-Rich Fertilizers

• Feathers and mattress wool (see our insightful post: wool and boys…). Apply 1 to 3 kg per 10m².
• Poultry manure: Limit to 3kg per 10m² to prevent burning plants.
• Crushed horn, roasted or powdered: Follow manufacturer guidelines; roughly 300g per 10m².
• Note: Dried blood and guano act quickly and are best reserved for spring.

Phosphorus-Rich Fertilizers

• For acidic soils: Rock phosphates and Thomas slag, which also provide ample lime.
• For neutral soils: Bone powder or other natural phosphates with minimal lime.

Potash-Rich Fertilizers

• Patentkali: A natural fertilizer high in sulfur and magnesium, ideal for nutrient-poor soils.
• Rock powders: Less common but valuable for trace elements and silica, which boosts disease resistance. Use granite for neutral or basic soils, basalt for neutral or acidic ones.
• Wood ash: Packed with phosphorus, lime carbonate, and trace elements. Lightly incorporate no more than 1kg per 10m².

Calcium-Rich Fertilizers

• Lithothamnium: Calcareous seaweed also supplying magnesium and trace elements. For non-calcareous soils, apply up to 500g per 10m².

Organic Fertilizers

• Manures, whether dehydrated or fresh.
• Compost.
• Mulches, particularly beneficial for heavy or sandy soils.

Commercial basic fertilizers blend these elements and are often tailored for specifics like vegetables, fruit trees, or roses. Whenever possible, choose organic over chemical options for long-term soil health.