Miracle-Gro Bone Meal, organic fertiliser, soil improver, plant feed, root growth booster, garden fertiliser, natural nutrient supplement

Garden chemicals cover weedkillers, moss and algae killers, path and patio cleaners and plant feeds, from ready-to-use sprayers to concentrates for diluting. The category also includes lawn seed and some insect and slug treatments.

Types of weedkiller

• Contact: kill only the parts of the plant that the spray lands on.
• Systemic: absorbed through the leaves and carried down to the roots, so they can kill deep-rooted weeds. Many, such as glyphosate products, are non-selective and will kill any plant they touch.
• Residual: stay active in the soil for weeks or months, so keep them away from the roots of plants you want to keep.
• Selective lawn weedkillers: target broad-leaved weeds while leaving grass unharmed.

Ready to use or concentrate

Ready-to-use bottles and pump sprayers need no mixing. Concentrates are diluted in a sprayer or watering can: follow the dilution rate exactly and make up only what you will use that day. Spray on a still day, as fine droplets drift easily onto nearby plants. Plant feeds are made for particular plants, such as tomatoes, orchids or lawns, so follow the feeding rate on the pack.

Safety and the law

Weedkillers, moss killers and other pesticides sold for home gardens must be authorised for amateur use. Read the label when choosing a product and again before each use. Keep products in their original containers, out of reach of children and pets, never decant them into other containers, and never pour leftovers down a drain. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and safety data.

For insects and slugs, see pest control; for compost and growing media, see growing products.