Gardeners' World legend Alan Titchmarsh has shared a 'secret' ingredient to help plants flourish. On his YouTube channel, he recommends adding fish, blood and bone meal before laying mulch to replenish essential nutrients in the soil.
Titchmarsh advises gardeners to scatter the meal, which contains nitrogen, phosphates and potash, before applying mulch. He explains that these nutrients need to be broken down by soil bacteria before plants can absorb them, promoting a healthy soil rich in good bacteria.
The horticulturist stresses that both the meal and mulch should be spread in a circle around plants, not piled on top. He also emphasises that the soil must be moist before mulching, as applying it to dry soil can seal in dryness rather than moisture.
Mulch, whether homemade or shop-bought, helps seal in moisture, reduce watering and suppress weeds. Titchmarsh makes his own compost from kitchen scraps and garden trimmings, noting that it can be ready in about three months in warm conditions, though it may take up to a year.
He also endorses composted bark as an alternative, praising its woodland smell and its ability to retain moisture and suppress weeds. 'The worms will take this down,' he says, 'It's a good organic enrichment for your garden soil.'
