Fertiliser Burn – How to Spot, Fix and Prevent It in Your Garden

When it comes to feeding plants, a little goes a long way. Too much fertiliser can cause fertiliser burn, a common issue that scorches leaves, damages roots, and leaves plants looking worse for wear. Thankfully, it’s easy to spot, treat, and prevent once you know the signs.

What Is Fertiliser Burn?

Fertiliser burn happens when plants receive more nutrients, especially salts, than they can handle. Excess salts draw moisture out of roots and leaves, causing dehydration even when the soil seems moist. Overfeeding, applying fertiliser to dry soil, or splashing foliage are the main culprits.

Symptoms of Fertiliser Burn

Keep an eye out for these tell-tale signs:

• Leaf tips and edges turning brown or yellow
  
• Dry, crisp, or scorched appearance on leaves
  
• Wilting plants despite damp soil
  
• White crust forming on the soil surface

If your plants look like they’ve been sunburnt after feeding, fertiliser burn is likely to blame.

Key Identifiers

You can confirm fertiliser burn by looking for:

• Brown or yellow leaf edges that dry out
  
• White salt deposits on the soil surface
  
• A sudden decline in plant health following feeding

These indicators distinguish it from drought stress or disease.

How to Fix Fertiliser Burn Naturally

Flush the Soil

Thoroughly flush the soil with clean water to wash away excess salts. Allow good drainage so roots can breathe and recover.

Reduce Feeding Strength

Follow the packet instructions carefully, less is often more. Always dilute liquid feed to the recommended strength (or slightly weaker) to avoid overfeeding.

Avoid Feeding Dry Soil

Always water plants before applying fertiliser. Applying nutrients to dry soil increases the risk of root damage.

Feed the Roots, Not the Leaves

Apply fertiliser directly to the root zone, never onto leaves or stems. This ensures nutrients reach where they’re needed without burning the plant’s green parts.

Preventing Fertiliser Burn

The best cure is prevention. Keep a regular but light feeding schedule, observe your plants, and remember, plants prefer steady nutrition, not sudden feasts.

Fertiliser burn is a common gardener’s mistake, but an easy one to fix. By recognising brown leaf edges, white soil crusts, and sudden decline, you can act fast, flush the soil, reduce feed strength, and protect roots from damage. With a gentler approach to feeding, your plants will bounce back lush, green, and thriving in no time.