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 Plants are like us in that they need regular good food and water to grow, flourish and stay alive.
If we don’t get these things we don’t feel good, get stressed, get ill, eventually get very sick and then die. We all need sunlight and air. Technically plants get what they need from sunlight, photosynthesis, air and water. The plants roots absorb water from the soil and this should contain the extra nutrients they need, a bit like what our stomach and intestinal system does for us. For plants it is very important to create and nurture the symbiotic relationships of a rich soil biome, full of microscopic insect life and a healthy mycorrhizal fungi network. When plants get sick, abnormal discolouration of their leaves show various mineral deficiencies. If these are not remedied they become weak and susceptible to secondary infections from pests and diseases. E.g. Aphids, Rust or Black spot. Organic liquid feeds can be used as a quick fix but I would advise you not to use any synthetic chemical based feeds like miracle grow. It’s like if we eat too much processed food; bad fats, too much sugar etc have a negative effect on us. The plants will respond initially with extra green growth from high doses of Nitrogen but the growth will be weak. The worms and other microscopic insect life are adversely affected and the soil health is depleted and damaged by using these chemical feeds, as well as any strong chemical pesticides and herbicides. We know we need good organic, unprocessed whole foods with a balance of good proteins, fats and slow release carbohydrates for our long term good health. The plants and the soil need a balance of good nutrients. We are all then able to become stronger, more resistant, less stressed and more resilient to illness / pests and diseases. I find it interesting to reflect on our current food systems and the old saying ‘You are what you you eat’. If you would like to have healthy thriving plants, edibles and a good soil biome in your own garden please get in touch. Over winter is an ideal time to start this process. Sadie Honeybun, info@plantpeople.org, M: 07881992762. |