Time to feed

As summer sets in, your garden is likely coming alive with lush greens and blooming flowers. But to keep everything thriving through the season, it’s essential to get your plant feeding routine just right. Here are some handy tips to ensure your plants get the nutrients they need, when they need them.

Tomato plants are a favourite in many home gardens, but they don’t need feeding right out of the gate. In fact, it’s best to wait until the first fruits begin to set before introducing any feed. Once they do, you can continue feeding throughout the summer to support strong fruit production and healthy growth.

If you’ve filled hanging baskets or containers with summer bedding plants, they’ll appreciate a nutritional boost about six weeks after planting. This is typically when the initial nutrients in the compost start to run low, and the plants begin to show signs of needing extra support for sustained flowering and growth.

A garden secret weapon, liquid seaweed is packed with benefits. Not only does it help thicken plant cell walls, making them more resistant to pests and disease, but it also aids in the uptake of other essential nutrients. It’s a great all-around tonic to add to your feeding routine, especially during stressful periods like dry spells or heat waves.

Not all plant foods are created equal, and understanding the difference can make a big impact on your garden’s success. Feeds high in potash are ideal for encouraging flowers and fruits, making them perfect for flowering plants and fruiting vegetables. On the other hand, vegetables grown primarily for their leaves, like lettuce or spinach, do best with feeds higher in nitrogen, which promotes lush, leafy growth.

Some modern feeds go a step further by including mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial bacteria. These microorganisms form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, helping them access water and nutrients more efficiently. They can be especially helpful in drought conditions, improving overall resilience and root health.