======Fertiliser======
=====Object Information=====
  * **Type:** Magical Substance, [[Herbology]] Supply
  * **Owners:** Not applicable to a single item; used by various individuals and institutions, including [[Professor Sprout]], [[Rubeus Hagrid]], and [[Horace Slughorn]].
  * **Maker:** Sourced from natural, often magical, origins.
=====Description and Appearance=====
Fertiliser in the wizarding world consists of various substances used to enrich soil and promote the growth and potency of magical and mundane plants. These substances are a cornerstone of [[Herbology]] and are frequently derived from magical creatures.
Known types include:
  * **[[Dragon]] Dung:** This is a common and effective fertiliser. [[Rubeus Hagrid]] kept it in large barrels to help grow his giant pumpkins. When dried, it is also a key component in the production of [[Dungbomb]]s.
  * **[[Mooncalf]] Dung:** Described by [[Horace Slughorn]] as a "wonderful fertiliser," suggesting it is highly valued and perhaps rarer or more potent than other varieties.
  * **Compost:** A general term used by [[Professor Sprout]] for the material used when re-potting [[Mandrake]]s, indicating that standard organic decomposition is also used in magical horticulture.
=====Magical Properties and Usage=====
The primary purpose of fertiliser is to provide essential nutrients to magical flora, which may have far more complex or demanding needs than non-magical plants.
  * **Horticultural Use:** Its main application is in [[Herbology]] to cultivate plants successfully. [[Rubeus Hagrid]] used [[Dragon]] dung to grow his pumpkins to an enormous size for the annual [[Hogwarts]] Hallowe'en feast. Students in [[Professor Sprout]]'s classes use compost and other fertilisers to care for plants in the [[Hogwarts Greenhouses]]. The potency of different fertilisers varies, with some, like [[Mooncalf]] dung, being particularly prized.
  * **Alternative Uses:** Certain types of fertiliser have applications beyond agriculture. Dried [[Dragon]] dung is a primary ingredient in [[Dungbomb]]s, a popular joke product developed by [[Fred and George Weasley]] for their shop, [[Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes]].
=====History=====
The use of magical creature by-products as fertiliser is a well-established practice within the wizarding world. Its importance is evident in its routine use in the [[Herbology]] curriculum at [[Hogwarts]] and by accomplished wizards like [[Horace Slughorn]], who actively sought out rare ingredients like [[Mooncalf]] dung. The trade and collection of such materials are an integral part of the magical economy surrounding [[Potions]] and [[Herbology]].
=====Role in the Story=====
Fertiliser serves as a key world-building element that adds practical depth to the field of [[Herbology]]. It establishes a tangible link between [[Care of Magical Creatures]] and [[Herbology]], showing how different magical disciplines are interconnected.
Mentions of fertiliser often help to develop characters. [[Rubeus Hagrid]]'s use of [[Dragon]] dung highlights his comfort with large, dangerous creatures and his rustic, hands-on approach to his duties. [[Horace Slughorn]]'s procurement of [[Mooncalf]] dung reinforces his personality as a collector of rare and valuable magical ingredients. Finally, its use in [[Dungbomb]]s is a perfect example of the mischievous and inventive nature of [[Fred and George Weasley]].
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * In the video game //Hogwarts Legacy//, Fertiliser is an expanded magical tool. It can be used to instantly increase the yield of a plant when it is harvested. It can also be deployed as a combat item, where it functions like a hostile, sentient plant that attacks nearby enemies (video game).