Garden
HYPOcontrol miles (Stratiolaelaps scimitus) 25K Loose Tube 1L – High-Performance Soil-Active Predator
£27.99Inc. VATA professional-grade 1L tube containing 25,000 active Stratiolaelaps scimitus predatory mites, specifically designed to establish a long-term biological defense against fungus gnats (sciarids) and thrips pupae within the soil and substrate.
Key Features:
-
Persistent Soil Defender: Establishes quickly in the top layer of growing media to hunt fungus gnat larvae and thrips pupae.
-
Broad-Spectrum Root Protection: Also feeds on shorefly larvae and other small, soft-bodied soil organisms.
-
IPM Powerhouse: Ideally suited for propagation, plug trays, and container crops where root health is a priority.
-
Resilient and Adaptable: These mites can survive short periods without prey, providing a continuous biological barrier at the root zone.
ICL Osmocote Exact Tablets 8–9 Months (7.5kg)
£162.50Inc. VATA highly precise, 5g tablet-form controlled-release fertiliser (14-8-11+2MgO+TE) designed for effortless, accurate dosing in container nursery stock and hanging baskets.
-
“Push-and-Go” Precision: Pre-measured 5g tablets allow for lightning-fast application and 100% accurate dosing per pot, eliminating the need for weighing or measuring loose granules.
-
8–9 Month Longevity: Provides a steady, ultra-reliable nutrient release for a full growing season, making it ideal for high-value perennials, shrubs, and long-term container displays.
-
Exact Standard Safety: Part of the “Exact” range, these tablets offer the highest level of crop safety with a programmed release that prevents nutrient spikes, even in high temperatures.
-
Environmentally Optimized: The cone-shaped tablets stay securely in the root zone, significantly reducing nutrient leaching and ensuring the plant receives every milligram of feed.
-
Complete Micro-Nutrition: Enriched with 2% Magnesium and a comprehensive trace element package for vibrant leaf color and superior flower development.
Application Guide:
-
3 Litre Pot: 2–3 Tablets
-
5 Litre Pot: 3–4 Tablets
-
10 Litre Pot: 4–6 Tablets
-
Method: Simply push the tablet completely into the growing medium near the root zone. For hanging baskets, place tablets in a circle around the plants.
ICL Osmocote Pro 12–14 Months (25kg)
£181.99Inc. VATA professional-grade, second-generation controlled-release fertiliser (CRF) featuring 100% resin-coated NPK, magnesium, and essential trace elements for sustained, year-long plant nutrition.
-
Extensive 12–14 Month Longevity: Specifically engineered for long-term crops and nursery stock, providing a consistent nutrient supply for over a full year from a single application.
-
Fully Coated Nutrient Package: Every granule is 100% resin-coated, ensuring that Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Magnesium are released steadily and safely without risk of root scorch.
-
High-Potency NPK (18-9-10): A balanced, high-nitrogen formula enriched with 2% MgO and a full trace element package to promote lush foliage, strong stems, and vibrant flowering.
-
Climate-Adaptive Release: Utilizes ICL’s advanced coating technology to release nutrients based on soil temperature, matching the natural metabolic needs of the plant throughout the seasons.
-
Professional Trade Standard: The “all-rounder” choice for container nursery stock (CNS), perennials, and autumn or spring potting where long-term, reliable performance is required.
Technical Application Rates:
-
Light Feeding: 3–4 g/L
-
Normal Feeding: 4–5 g/L
-
Heavy Feeding: 5–6 g/L
ICL Osmocote Pro 3–4 Months (25kg)
£166.50Inc. VATA high-nitrogen, short-term controlled-release fertiliser (19-9-10+2MgO+TE) specifically designed for fast-growing crops and late spring potting where a rapid, intensive nutrient supply is required.
-
Fast-Cycle Efficiency: Features a 3–4 month release profile, making it the perfect choice for summer bedding plants, high-turnover perennials, and late-season potting.
-
Intensive Growth Formula: The 19% Nitrogen content provides an immediate and sustained boost to vegetative growth, ensuring plants reach market size quickly and with lush foliage.
-
100% Coated Safety: Every nutrient—including the full trace element package—is encapsulated in a resin coating, allowing for high-rate application without the risk of root scorch or “flash” release.
-
Temperature-Sync Technology: Automatically increases nutrient delivery during the peak warmth of mid-summer, matching the higher water and food demands of rapidly developing plants.
-
Uniform Quality: Small, consistent granules allow for easy mixing into growing media, ensuring that every pot receives an identical, balanced dose of nutrition.
Technical Application Rates:
-
Bedding Plants: 2g–3g per Litre (Normal) | 3g–4.5g per Litre (Heavy)
-
Pot Plants: 2g–3g per Litre (Normal) | 3g–4g per Litre (Heavy)
-
Container Nursery Stock: 2g–3g per Litre (Normal) | 3g–3.5g per Litre (Heavy)
ICL Osmocote Pro 5–6 Months (25kg)
£171.50Inc. VATA high-nitrogen, second-generation controlled-release fertiliser (19-9-10+2MgO+TE) specifically optimized for spring potting and fast-growing seasonal crops.
-
Targeted 5–6 Month Release: Perfectly timed for a standard growing season, providing a steady nutrient supply from early spring through to late summer.
-
100% Resin Coated: Every granule is fully encapsulated, ensuring that NPK, Magnesium, and Trace Elements are released safely and efficiently with minimal leaching or risk of root burn.
-
Vigorous Spring Growth: The high-nitrogen formula (19%) is designed to kickstart rapid vegetative development, making it the ideal choice for bedding plants, perennials, and nursery liners.
-
Climate-Reactive Technology: Nutrient release is governed by soil temperature—automatically increasing during warmer periods to match the peak metabolic needs of the plant.
-
Nursery Standard Recognition: Features orange/white colour-coded granules for easy identification in the potting shed, preventing application errors with other longevities.
Technical Application Rates:
-
Container Nursery Stock: 3g–3.5g per Litre (Normal) | 4g–4.5g per Litre (Heavy)
-
Pot Plants: 3g–4g per Litre (Normal) | 4g–5g per Litre (Heavy)
-
Bedding Plants: 3g–4.5g per Litre (Normal) | 4.5g–5.5g per Litre (Heavy)
ICL Osmocote Pro 5–6 Months (25kg)
£159.50Inc. VATA high-nitrogen, second-generation controlled-release fertiliser (19-9-10+2MgO+TE) specifically optimized for spring potting and fast-growing seasonal crops.
-
Targeted 5–6 Month Release: Perfectly timed for a standard growing season, providing a steady nutrient supply from early spring through to late summer.
-
100% Resin Coated: Every granule is fully encapsulated, ensuring that NPK, Magnesium, and Trace Elements are released safely and efficiently with minimal leaching or risk of root burn.
-
Vigorous Spring Growth: The high-nitrogen formula (19%) is designed to kickstart rapid vegetative development, making it the ideal choice for bedding plants, perennials, and nursery liners.
-
Climate-Reactive Technology: Nutrient release is governed by soil temperature—automatically increasing during warmer periods to match the peak metabolic needs of the plant.
-
Nursery Standard Recognition: Features orange/white colour-coded granules for easy identification in the potting shed, preventing application errors with other longevities.
Technical Application Rates:
-
Container Nursery Stock: 3g–3.5g per Litre (Normal) | 4g–4.5g per Litre (Heavy)
-
Pot Plants: 3g–4g per Litre (Normal) | 4g–5g per Litre (Heavy)
-
Bedding Plants: 3g–4.5g per Litre (Normal) | 4.5g–5.5g per Litre (Heavy)
ICL Osmocote Pro 8–9 Months (25kg)
£175.99Inc. VATA high-performance, second-generation controlled-release fertiliser (18-9-10+2MgO+TE) with a long-term nutrient release profile, perfect for spring potting and supporting plants through an extended growing season.
-
Extended 8–9 Month Longevity: Engineered to provide a steady, continuous supply of nutrients for nearly three-quarters of a year, covering the entire lifecycle of most seasonal and nursery crops.
-
100% Resin Coated: Every granule—including NPK, Magnesium, and Trace Elements—is fully coated to ensure a safe, reliable release that prevents nutrient leaching and protects sensitive roots from scorching.
-
High-NPK Spring Formula: Specifically optimized for spring application to fuel the rapid, all-round development of nursery stock, perennials, and pot plants.
-
Temperature-Triggered Release: Automatically adjusts nutrient delivery based on soil temperature; as the weather warms and plant metabolism increases, more nutrients are released to match the demand.
-
Trade Identification: Features orange/white colour-coded granules for easy identification in the nursery, ensuring the correct longevity is used for the specific crop cycle.
Technical Application Rates:
-
Container Nursery Stock: 3.5g–4.5g per Litre (Normal) | 4.5g–5.5g per Litre (Heavy)
-
Pot Plants: 4g–5g per Litre (Normal) | 5g–6g per Litre (Heavy)
-
Longevity at 21°C: 8–9 Months (Duration increases in cooler climates and decreases in warmer environments).
ICL Osmocote Topdress Pro with Fusion Technology (25kg)
£156.99Inc. VATA specialized, 4–5 month controlled-release fertiliser (22-5-6+2MgO+TE) specifically designed for topdressing container-grown plants, featuring advanced “sticky” technology to prevent granule loss.
-
Fusion Technology (FT): Contains a unique component that binds the granules to the surface of the growing medium upon contact with moisture. This ensures no fertiliser is lost if pots are tipped by wind or during transport.
-
Immediate Greening Effect: High in nitrogen with added magnesium and iron, providing rapid correction of nutrient deficiencies and a visible boost in foliage colour.
-
Extended 4–5 Month Longevity: Delivers a steady, sustained release of nutrients, making it ideal for the second half of the growing season or for rejuvenating plants in large containers.
-
Fine-Granule Uniformity: Small granule size ensures an even distribution of nutrients across the pot surface, even in smaller containers or high-density nursery blocks.
-
System Compatible: Dust-free and safe for use with both overhead and drip irrigation systems (when placed directly under the dripper).
Application Guide:
-
Containers < 10L: Apply 2–4g per Litre.
-
Containers > 10L: Apply 3g/L for the first 10L + 1g for every additional Litre (e.g., 70g for a 50L pot).
-
Important: This product is for topdressing only; do not mix into the substrate or use with capillary mats/ebb-and-flow systems.
ICL Universol Blue (25kg)
£102.50Inc. VATThe “all-rounder” of the Universol range, this balanced water-soluble fertiliser (18-11-18+2.5MgO+TE) is designed to support steady, uniform growth and structural strength during the mid-season phase.
-
Perfectly Balanced Nutrition: With a near-equal ratio of Nitrogen and Potassium, it provides the ideal maintenance feed to sustain healthy development after the initial rooting phase.
-
Uniform Plant Habit: Specifically formulated to promote consistent growth across the entire crop, ensuring a high-quality, professional finish for bedding plants and pot crops.
-
Citric Acid Enhanced: Includes added citric acid to ensure a crystal-clear solution and peak solubility, even in areas where water quality can be variable.
-
Magnesium & Trace Element Boost: Contains 2.5% MgO to maintain high chlorophyll levels and a full suite of chelated trace elements for rapid absorption and long-term resilience.
-
Versatile Application: The go-to choice for a wide variety of horticultural crops, including container nursery stock, cut flowers, and seasonal bedding plants.
Technical Specifications:
-
NPK: 18-11-18 + 2.5% MgO + Trace Elements
-
Growth Stage: Mid-season maintenance (following the high-phosphate “Yellow” starter phase).
-
Solubility: 100% water-soluble with ICL’s Bright Solution System.
ICL Universol Green (25kg)
£77.50Inc. VATA high-nitrogen, professional-grade water-soluble fertiliser (23-6-10+2MgO+TE) designed to drive vigorous vegetative growth and rapid foliage development in young crops and nursery stock.
-
Accelerated Vegetative Growth: Formulated with a high nitrogen concentration to promote fast, healthy shoot development and lush green leaf expansion during the early to mid-stages of growth.
-
Balanced Nitrogen Source: Features a precise mix of nitrate and ammonium nitrogen, providing an immediate growth “kick” followed by sustained nutrition for long-term development.
-
Total Nutrient Profile: Beyond its high nitrogen content, it is enriched with 2% Magnesium and a full package of chelated trace elements to prevent deficiencies and ensure overall plant vitality.
-
Bright Solution System: Fully water-soluble technology ensures the granules dissolve rapidly and completely, leaving a clear solution that will not clog drippers, sprayers, or irrigation lines.
-
Professional Nursery Choice: Ideal for container nursery stock (CNS) and bedding plants that require a strong vegetative foundation before the flowering phase.
Technical Specifications:
-
NPK: 23-6-10 + 2% MgO + Trace Elements
-
Application Rate: 1g–2g per Litre for continuous feeding.
-
Legal Requirement: ⚠️ Regulated Substance: This product requires a signed user declaration and a valid photo ID before dispatch can be completed.
ICL Universol Hard Water 211 (25kg)
£93.99Inc. VATA professional-grade, water-soluble fertiliser (23-10-10+2MgO+TE) specifically developed for the vegetative growth phase in hard water areas, providing acidification to stabilise pH and improve water quality.
-
Hard Water pH Management: Actively neutralises bicarbonates in the irrigation water, preventing the substrate pH from rising too high and ensuring nutrients remain fully accessible to the plant.
-
High Nitrogen for Vigorous Growth: Features a 2:1:1 NPK ratio, making it the perfect “starter” or “growth phase” feed for crops that require rapid foliage development and strong vegetative structure.
-
Self-Acidifying Formula: Improves the quality of hard irrigation water by reducing alkalinity, which minimizes the need for separate acid injection systems in many nursery setups.
-
Essential Secondary Nutrients: Enriched with 2% Magnesium to prevent chlorosis and a complete suite of chelated trace elements for maximum absorption across all growing conditions.
-
Professional Dissolution: Fully soluble with ICL’s Bright Solution System, ensuring a clear liquid that protects your irrigation infrastructure from scale and blockages.
Technical Specifications:
-
NPK: 23-10-10 + 2% MgO + Trace Elements
-
Water Type: Optimised for Hard Water (High Bicarbonate).
-
Crop Stage: Vegetative growth / Early-stage development.
ICL Universol Hard Water 225 (25kg)
£103.99Inc. VATA specialized, high-performance water-soluble fertiliser (11-10-28+2MgO+TE) specifically engineered to counteract the challenges of hard irrigation water by neutralizing bicarbonates and stabilizing soil pH.
-
Bicarbonate Neutralizer: Specially formulated to “soften” hard irrigation water by neutralizing bicarbonates, preventing a rise in growing media pH and ensuring nutrients remain available to the plant.
-
Potassium-Rich Finish: Features a high potassium analysis (28% K₂O), making it ideal for the flowering and hardening-off stages of crops grown in hard-water regions.
-
Stable Root Zone pH: Helps maintain a consistent acidic environment in the root zone, which is critical for preventing micronutrient deficiencies often caused by hard water alkalinity.
-
Full Nutrient Spectrum: Enriched with 2% Magnesium and a comprehensive package of chelated trace elements to ensure vibrant green foliage and robust plant health.
-
Clean System Performance: Fully water-soluble with ICL’s Bright Solution System, keeping irrigation lines, drippers, and nozzles free from limescale and sediment buildup.
Technical Specifications:
-
NPK: 11-10-28 + 2% MgO + Trace Elements
-
Water Compatibility: Designed for water with high bicarbonate levels (Hard Water).
-
Application: Recommended for pot plants, bedding plants, and container nursery stock.
Premium Garden Supplies and Expert Landscaping Advice
Chances are, without the right soil, tools, and planning, a garden won't thrive the way you imagined. There wasn't a schedule agreed upon for planting or a clear vision for the layout. It's a landscaping project gone awry right from the start. Buying the cheapest seeds wouldn't have helped, and it won't help now. It's like saying you have a bad lawn, so just add more water, or don't prune your roses every other season. True enough, but that's not all that it takes to get things back on track.
The neighbors are out there waiting to see that stunning transformation.
You made all the required measurements for your new patio, got the dimensions, built a solid plan or hired a landscaper, you decided on a colour scheme, bought the timber or adapted existing beds:
The cheap tools you might grab for a quick fix when you forgot to visit a proper center, the varnish you slap on a fence to impress the guests is your business. But what about the long term? Perennials, shrubs, heavy-duty equipment—will your garden accept that you go about things the easy way? Authorities in horticulture will tell you in no uncertain terms that poor soil preparation is that huge, huge no-no to forswear forever.
Not so fast, I'd say, there are some redeeming factors in favor of budget gardening, as its use is merely the symptom of a different problem to take into consideration.
Gardens in the UK require consistent seasonal attention.
Our extensive nursery collection and landscaping supplies ensure that you can grow different species and different styles using the same reliable materials.
When it's about controlling hundreds of varieties, flower beds for the front yard, or vegetable patches in the back, all of them potentially with different sun, water, and soil rules, things can wither, designs agreed upon can have unintended consequences and look much different than expected.
This is quite a challenge to solve, but just hoping for rain won't fix it. Using high-quality compost and sturdy tools will help, but there's no guarantee that every pest will be avoided. Do you want to be sure? Then sourcing your supplies from a dedicated specialist like Sunflower Garden is needed—but you’re not going that far until you start your initial digging cycle.
