Overview
Plants are able to make their own food by capturing the energy from sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugar. But in order to stay healthy and give the best results they take additional nutrients out of the soil or compost, so it's important to provide them with supplementary fertiliser. The basic nutrients required by plants are nitrogen (N) for leaf and stem growth, phosphorus (P) for root growth and potassium (K) for flowers, fruit and to maintain healthy growth.
Do it:
March - August
Takes just:
20 minutes
How to do it
-
Well-rotted horse and cattle manure contains plenty of nutrients for plants. It can be added before planting or used as a surface mulch around established plants. -
Adding fertiliser to the base of planting holes for new plants will encourage good root establishment and growth in the first season. -
Balanced granular fertiliser can be applied around all established plants in spring. Distribute it around the base of plants at the rate recommended on the packaging. Avoid getting granules on soft stems and leaves as it may scorch them. -
Slow-release granules or pellets can be mixed with the compost in pots when planting summer bedding to provide nutrients for the whole growing season. -
Fertilisers are also available to mix up with water for liquid application. Liquid concentrates and ready-to-use liquid feeds are also available. These are quick acting as the plant roots can take in the dissolved nutrients with the water. -
Recycle the nutrients that you apply to your garden by composting leafy prunings, dead flowers, vegetables peelings and any other suitable material.
"For best results apply fertilisers when the soil is moist."
"Apply high-potash fertilisers to encourage flowering of all plants and a good crop of any plant grown for its fruit."
"Diluted liquid feeds or fertilisers can be applied to the foliage of many plants for quick results. Always check packaging for details."
Comments and rating
Overall rating (from 10 ratings):
5 out of 5
It is good to be reminded to feed the plants in the garden especially the ones in pots as they can't fend for themselves, when we've trapped them in pots.
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4 out of 5
4 out of 5
How long can you keep chicken pellet for, I have some from last year, will it still be effective?
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when is the best time to replant camelies?
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3 out of 5
Can anyone tell me the correct fertiliser for grapes in pots please
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I can't get the link to how to create a fragrant garden - I keep coming to a how to on broccoli... help please!
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I have a small garden with fruit trees, fruit bushes and a arch with white grape on the left and black grape on the right, but I would like to know the best time to prune and how much to prune the trees by? can you advise on this or may be books that will help.
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5 out of 5
It is most important to feed plants in borders and pots as Kay Curtis mentioned in her comment back in March. I use either chicken pellets or growmore and a watering of tomato food to plants when in bud once a week.
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My runner beans and sweet peas slow growing - I used soil from neighbours old raised beds with compost underneath - fed once with tomato fertiliser. How often can you feed ? I believe I read you should not over feed and I have no experience so am nervous of doing this. Also is wood ash high in potash fertiliser ? Can I use bonfire ash to feed plants. Is tomato fertiliser ok for all fruit and veg and also for flowers ? Froginhood
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5 out of 5
Although I am 65 and have just retired, I am relatively new to 'gardening' I am enjoying every minute! Any information I am able to obtain through your publication will be invaluable. Thankyou.
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5 out of 5
Although I am 65 and have just retired, I am relatively new to 'gardening' I am enjoying every minute! Any information I am able to obtain through your publication will be invaluable. Thankyou.
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5 out of 5
Although I am 65 and have just retired, I am relatively new to 'gardening' I am enjoying every minute! Any information I am able to obtain through your publication will be invaluable. Thankyou.
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5 out of 5
Although I am 65 and have just retired, I am relatively new to 'gardening' I am enjoying every minute! Any information I am able to obtain through your publication will be invaluable. Thankyou.
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arnoldy rated this article
27 February 2009
4 out of 5
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