Fertiliser what and when

**Pa Snips** · 09-05-2012, 11:18 PM

I don't really think it's that straight forward, I mean different types of plants will use up nutrients stored in the compost at different rates, larger plants will use it quicker than smaller plants and that's before taking into account of how much compost each plant has available to it. If two identical plants are put into one pot each, one of which contains 4 litres of compost and the other one has eight, which will run out of nutrients first?

Also, nitrogen is vital for healthy vegetative growth, so there's no reason that I'm aware of why you shouldn't feed with nitrogen rich fertiliser (tea of seaweed, nettle or comfrey, or your own pee diluted) prior to flowering/fruiting, then switching to the potassium rich tomato food when they flower.

I would suggest that the six week period is a guideline and feeding within the first six weeks increases the chances of over fertilising.

**Greenlad** · 10-05-2012, 12:12 AM

That was great advice thank you thank you. Could you explain more about "feeding within first 6weeks increases over fertilising"
I am the new lad.

**Florence Fennel** · 10-05-2012, 06:22 AM

There are already nutrients in the compost GL, so you don't need to feed for the first few weeks or you'll overdose them! Six weeks is about right before the compost has kind of "run out of steam"

**Peas'n'Kews** · 10-05-2012, 10:24 AM

I too was getting confused about fertilizer and have done some searching and reading. Don't know if this helps but.....

All Fertilizers have N (Nitrogen), P (Phosphorous) and K (Potassium) in them. THis will be clearly indicated in the ingredients list.

Simplistically:
N is for leaf growth
P is for flower grow and plant strength (root growth)
K is for fruit development.

As to when you use it - depends what stage your plant is at!!!

Have fun

**Potstubsdustbins** · 10-05-2012, 03:43 PM

To be honest I have never had a problem over fertilising, a mature plant will just take what it needs especially if your growing in pots. Also every time you water, you dilute the nutrients in the pot.

The two important nutrients are N (nitrogen) and K (Potash/Potassium). At the start of the season my plants are fed Miracle Gro, loads of N for good green growth. When the fruit and by fruit I mean anything from strawberries to potatoes starts to develope I change to Tomorite loads of K for crop developement.

As to how much, this can change with the plant. As a for instance take a tomato a plant with two truss's will need less feeding than a plant with six truss's. Therefore once a plant reaches four truss's I double up on the recommended dose of tomorite.

My kidney beans once they reach 6ft will get day (1) water, day (2) Miracle Gro, day (3) Tomorite. Then back to water. This works for me, others will of course do things differently and get exactly the same results.

Remember 2 gardeners 1 question 3 different answers.

Colin

**solway cropper** · 10-05-2012, 08:06 PM

Originally posted by Peas'n'Kews View Post

I too was getting confused about fertilizer and have done some searching and reading. Don't know if this helps but.....

All Fertilizers have N (Nitrogen), P (Phosphorous) and K (Potassium) in them. THis will be clearly indicated in the ingredients list.

Simplistically:
N is for leaf growth
P is for flower grow and plant strength (root growth)
K is for fruit development.

As to when you use it - depends what stage your plant is at!!!

Have fun

Compound fertilizers have NPK but you can get straight fertilizers which contain only one of the main nutrients. Sulphate of potash, for instance, has no nitrogen or phosphorus. Sulphate of iron has no nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium. Confused...you will be

**Greenlad** · 10-05-2012, 10:01 PM

Wow going back to school. I know what to do now it's just when to do it. Experiment time.

**Moo's Mum** · 12-05-2012, 08:02 AM

Can I just clarify the answers to Greenlad's question? I'm a newbie to this growing lark and already I'm a bit confuddled!! So, something like homemade nettle/comfrey fertiliser is good for my leafy crops (ie lettuce/chard etc), and a fertiliser containing potassium is better for "fruiting" crops?

1) By fruiting crops I know you mean things like toms/peppers/beans/cues etc, etc, but what about things like beetroot/brocoli/cauli? Would they come under that same heading?

2)Tomatorite was mentioned.......can I use that on all my fruiting crops? Daft question I know!

3) I've made some nettle fertiliser (phew...it pongs a bit!!), but what about a home made potassium fertiliser?

Sorry if I appear to be a bit slow on the uptake here!!!

**taff** · 12-05-2012, 08:14 AM

1 - beetroot doesnt need feeding, broccoli and cauli are brassicas, broccoli and cauli would love nettle/nitrogen feed, and or manure....
2 tomorite can be used for all fruiting crops
3 - nettle fertiliser, yes, very whiffy, like a plant sewerage farm [i quite like the smell tbh] good for leafy veg, high in nitrogen, comfrey feed, good for fruiting veg, high in potassium
hope that helped

**Moo's Mum** · 12-05-2012, 08:17 AM

Thank you Taff!!! You're a star! Going to make a note of all that and keep it in my journal I've started to remind me1 Thanks again

**taff** · 12-05-2012, 08:20 AM

I'm not really

I'm just telling you what everyone else told me when I joined and asked the same questions

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