What to feed and when?!

[goose2k7]

Hi everyone,

I have planted a few crops in tubs and containers which are coming along nicely. What I'm wondering is when do I start feeding and with what?

I have:

Strawberries
Tomatoes
Potatoes
Cucumbers
Courgettes
Peppers
Chillies

Many thanks in advance!

[cariann88]

I usually start feeding when the flowers start to appear for Strawberries, tomatoes, peppers and chillies. And I think I did the same with my cucumbers as well.

[cariann88]

I use tomorite and blood and fish bones to feed my plants.

[skeggijon]

Like cariann says, when they start flowering, thats the time to start feeding and tomato feed will be fine for the job

[Potstubsdustbins]

It really does depend on what growing medium you are using.

If you are using bought compost it will be dead at 5/6 weeks and the plants will need feeding about then.

Early potatoes I feed with high potash from week 6 until harvest. 2nds and main crop I feed with high nitrogen until about half way through the growing cycle and then change to high potash.

As to the rest on your list high nitrogen until flowering then change to high potash for fruit growth.

Don't forget to keep your spuds well watered they are about 80% water, therefore lack of water lack of yield.

[Stan79]

What do you use for high potash and what do you use for high nitrogen?

[Potstubsdustbins]

Stan I am not an organic grower so I use good old Miracle Gro which is high in nitrogen and Tomorite for potash.

[Stan79]

Stan I am not an organic grower so I use good old Miracle Gro which is high in nitrogen and Tomorite for potash.

Thank you!

[goose2k7]

Thanks for all the useful replies!

[ESBkevin]

If you don't want to use commercial fertilisers (nothing wrong in them though), you can make your own.

stinging Nettle heads soaked in a pail of water for a few weeks makes a great fertiliser for leafy growth/starter. Comfry treated to the same soaking for a few weeks is then used to help fruiting or flowering plants. Add the wilted leaves to your compost bin and dilute the 'soup' in the watering can and add to the plant beds. Most people can find both locally without too much effort. A word of warning, both soaking messes will stink so keep them away from the house etc.


Also tree leaf mould. Because trees access nutrients and trace elements from very deep down the leaves hold that fertiliser for re-use. But collect the leaves and put them in black bin liners for a year to break down before you try to use them. They are excellent mulch and as part of your seed compost. Wood ash is a rich source of potash if you know anyone using a wood burning stove.

Plenty of more detailed info on the interwebs if you are interested.

HTH