Kunsmis

Kunsmis buying guide

Veldkraft lists 29 kunsmis, priced from R62 to R2 265, from brands including Protek, Guanoboost. Orders are delivered to all nine provinces and to Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Eswatini.

Read the NPK ratio on the bag

The three numbers on a fertiliser bag give the ratio of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), and the figure in brackets is the total nutrient percentage. A 2:3:2 (14) general blend, such as Protek General Fertilizer 2:3:2, is balanced and phosphorus-leaning, for planting, vegetables and general garden use. A 7:1:3 (15) blend is nitrogen-rich, which drives green leaf growth in lawns and foliage plants. Match the ratio to what your plants need most.

Lawn fertiliser or general garden blend?

Use a nitrogen-rich lawn fertiliser for grass and a balanced or phosphorus-rich product when planting. Protek Lawn & Foliage Fertilizer 7:1:3 and Protek Nutri-Green Gro Green, an organic-based lawn and evergreen product, are aimed at lawns and leafy plants. Protek Garden Phosphate is sold for root growth and planting, and the 2:3:2 general blends suit mixed beds. Feed lawns during active growth and water in as the label directs.

Organic, organic-based or chemical?

Organic and organic-based fertilisers release nutrients gradually and add carbon to the soil, while granular chemical blends deliver a known nutrient analysis quickly. This category includes organic liquids such as Protek Guanoflo, carbon-enriched Nutri-Green products such as Flower Power and Gwano Pellets, and conventional granular NPK blends. Some growers use both: a granular blend for a measured nutrient supply and an organic product to build soil organic matter. Choose by your soil and how fast you need results.

Liquid or granular fertiliser?

Granular fertilisers are spread on the soil and watered in, feeding over a longer period, while liquid products are diluted and applied by watering can or sprayer for quicker uptake. Liquids suit container plants, seedlings and top-up feeding, and granules suit lawns and larger beds. Veldkraft lists liquids from 200 ml bottles up to Guanoboost 25 litre and a 20 litre Crop-Foliar product for crops, and granular blends in 2 kg to 10 kg bags.

Peat-moss growing media

Peat-moss blends are growing media rather than fertilisers: they improve the structure and water holding of potting mixes and seed trays. Protek Peat-Moss Universal Blend suits general potting, while the Acidic Blend is for acid-loving plants such as azaleas, camellias and blueberries. Mix peat-moss with soil or compost as the bag directs, and check whether any nutrients are added before you plan your feeding programme.

Follow the label and store safely

Follow the product label for application rates, timing and dilution; this guide gives no rates, because over-applying fertiliser can scorch roots and leaves and wash into water. Check the label for the Act 36 registration number and the plants or crops the product is intended for. Wear gloves when handling granules and concentrates, wash your hands afterwards, and store bags and bottles sealed, dry and out of reach of children, pets and livestock.

Kunsmis: common questions

What fertiliser is good for lawns in South Africa?

A nitrogen-rich lawn fertiliser, such as Protek Lawn & Foliage Fertilizer 7:1:3, encourages green leaf growth, while organic-based lawn products such as Protek Nutri-Green Gro Green feed more gradually and add carbon to the soil. Apply during the active growing season, water in as the label directs, and avoid feeding grass that is dormant or drought-stressed.

What does 2:3:2 mean on fertiliser?

It is the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the product: two parts nitrogen, three parts phosphorus and two parts potassium. The number in brackets, such as (14), is the total percentage of those three nutrients in the product. A higher figure in brackets means more nutrient per kilogram, so compare it when choosing between bags.

Is organic fertiliser better than chemical fertiliser?

Neither is better in every situation. Organic and organic-based products release nutrients gradually and add organic matter, which improves soil structure over time. Chemical blends give a precise, fast-acting nutrient analysis. Choose by your soil, your plants and how quickly you need results, and follow the label for either type.

Can I use liquid fertiliser on vegetables?

Yes, if the label lists vegetables or edible crops among its intended uses. Dilute the product exactly as the label directs and apply it to the soil or leaves as instructed. Check the label for any interval required between application and harvest, and rinse produce before eating.

How much do fertilisers cost in South Africa?

Veldkraft lists 29 fertilisers and growing media priced from R62 to R2 265. Price depends on pack size, nutrient analysis and whether the product is a granular blend, an organic or organic-based product, or a liquid concentrate. Small bottles and 2 kg bags sit at the low end, and 20 litre and 25 litre liquids are at the top of the range.

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