Fertiliser is most effective when applied to plants during their active growth cycle. For deciduous species, this is when the plant begins to leaf out, flower, or put on new growth after emerging from the dormant winter stage. The best time of year to fertilise most plants is in the spring. Vegetable gardeners can use a quick-release fertiliser once a month or a slow-release fertiliser once a season to fertilise their garden beds. Some gardeners prefer to feed their flowers and plants once every one to two weeks with a portion of liquid-soluble plant food.