The following benefit from using fertilisers:
- Seedlings and
A method of growing new plants from parts of an existing plant, such as sections of root, stem, leaf or bud. When prepared correctly and planted in the right conditions, they can produce roots and eventually become independent plants. There is a wide range of different methods for taking cuttings, depending on the plant and time of year.
- Houseplants
- Plants in containers: fruit, vegetables and ornamental plants
- Fruit and vegetables in the ground unless using no-dig method
- Sick plants and plants showing nutrient deficiencies. Identify the cause first. Consider soil analysis or specialist leaf-tissue analysis for high value plants or crops
Feeding seedling and cuttings
There is a limited amount of To grow well, plants need a wide range of nutrients in various amounts, depending on the individual plant and its stage of growth. The three key plant nutrients usually derived from soil are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, while carbon, oxygen and hydrogen are absorbed from the air. Other vital soil nutrients include magnesium, calcium and sulphur. Most garden soils contain enough nutrients to promote healthy plant growth.
A seedling is a young plant grown from seed.
Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.
Ideally, use a higher nitrogen (N) and lower potassium (K) feed, such as Elixir Gardens High Nitrogen Liquid Plant Food (20–0–10). However, using a general-purpose fertiliser with similar nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) values, for example: Miracle-Gro® All Purpose Concentrated Liquid Plant Food (7–3–5) will still help. Check the label recommendations carefully as young plants and seedlings usually require a weaker concentration of fertiliser to avoid damage.
Delay using high potassium fertilisers such as A potassium-rich liquid feed to encourage flowering and fruiting in various plants, not just tomatoes. Take care to follow the instructions on the packet.
Feeding plants in containers: fruit, vegetables and ornamental plants
Plants growing in containers need feeding to perform well. The potting compost available in garden centres provides optimum amount of nutrients for about six to eight weeks, but after this you’ll need to start feeding. If you make your own potting compost, the soil and organic matter in the mix should provide enough nutrients in the first growing season, unless you’re growing fruit and veg.
Liquid feed the following with homemade or organic fertilisers during the The period of time when an individual plant is in active growth. This will depend on the local climate and light levels, and can vary between different plants, although it is broadly from spring to autumn.
- Fruit and vegetables every two weeks, or weekly if using homemade feeds
- Bedding plants for summer colour once a week
- Ornamental plants such as trees, shrubs and
Perennials are plants that live for multiple years. They come in all shapes and sizes and fill our gardens with colourful flowers and ornamental foliage. Many are hardy and can survive outdoors all year round, while less hardy types need protection over winter. The term herbaceous perennial is used to describe long-lived plants without a permanent woody structure (they die back to ground level each autumn), distinguishing them from trees, shrubs and sub-shrubs.
- Undemanding plants, such as olives and bay trees, once a month
- Ericaceous (acid-loving) plants, such as blueberries, camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons, once a month with ericaceous fertiliser or seaweed feed containing iron
How can I reduce the need to liquid feed containers?
To minimise liquid feeding, which can be time consuming, mix an organic fertiliser into the potting compost before planting up your pot. Alternatively, you can also scatter it over the surface (known as top dressing). There are some specific organic products designed to add to potting compost . Check label for details of how to apply.
Choose plants for containers, that need only feeding occasionally. These include ornamental grasses, drought tolerant shrubs and Mediterranean herbs.
Feeding plants growing in the ground: fruit and vegetables
Mulching regularly (at least once every three years) with organic matter can deliver all or most of nutrients fruit and vegetables need to give you plentiful crops. Try the no-dig approach by avoiding soil cultivation and applying 5cm of Mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples include well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings.
You can also use green manures to boost soil fertility by sowing long rooted plants to draw nutrients from deep in the soil and those that fix-nitrogen.
If you garden on free draining sandy or chalky soils, or grow hungry crops such as brassicas, additional fertilisers may be needed. Use homemade or organic fertilisers, such as fish, blood and bone, seaweed or comfrey-based feeds since these reduce environmental impact.
Feeding houseplants
Houseplants rely on regular feeding for healthy growth. How much feed depends on the type of plant. Most leafy plants enjoy feeding with a liquid general-purpose or houseplant fertiliser once or twice a month from March to October.
Orchids need a specialist liquid feed that’s weaker than others, while cacti and A group of plants that have thick, fleshy leaves or stems that are able to store water. This allows them to survive in arid habitats with low moisture.
Check out our individual growing guides for more details on how to feed different groups of houseplants.
Feeding sick plants and nutrient deficiencies
It is a common belief that poor growth is caused by a lack of soil nutrients and that applying fertiliser is the solution. The results of our Soil Analysis Service suggest that phosphorus, potassium and magnesium shortages in cultivated soils aren’t common.
Disappointing performance and leaf symptoms are often due to poor establishment after planting or weather related factors. These include roots drying out or becoming Describes soil or potting compost that is saturated with water. The water displaces air from the spaces between soil particles and plant roots can literally drown, unless they are adapted to growing in waterlogged conditions. Waterlogging is common on poorly drained soil or when heavy soil is compacted.
Some symptoms indicate a lack of nutrients. Certain groups of plants, such as tomatoes, raspberries and ericaceous (needing acid soils), are more prone to this than others. To help you identify when plants aren’t getting enough nutrients see our nutrient deficiencies webpage.