Garden Help
Diagnose plant problems and treat garden pests


Get Gardening Help!

Home > Projects >

How to feed your plants


You will need: Fertiliser, Hosepipe, Watering can

It is very easy to think that just putting a plant in the garden means it can fend for itself forever, but soil is a variable medium and may not contain enough nutrients, particularly if it has been untended for a while.

Best time to do it:

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Step 1

Step 1 of How to feed your plants

Where you have established plants like shrubs or fruit, a controlled-release fertiliser will feed them throughout the season. Fork it lightly into the surface of the soil, as it works in moist, dark conditions. Water the soil if there is no rain within 25 hours.

Step 2

Step 2 of How to feed your plants

Liquid feed applied through a hose-end distributor is ideal if you have little access to the soil. It is quick-acting and will give flowering plants a boost.

Step 3

Step 3 of How to feed your plants

Tomato food is a good source of Potassium, which aids flowering and fruiting of all plants, not just tomatoes. Only apply the recommended dose, measured carefully into the watering can.

Step 4

Step 4 of How to feed your plants

Your plants will flower for longer, with bigger and more colourful blooms, if they are well-fed. They will also have a greater resistance to pest or disease attack.

Related FAQs


Ask a gardening question:




Latest Gardening News



Latest Gardening & Horticultural Careers


Explore Gardens from Around the World


Lalbagh Botanical Garden
Bangalore, India

Butchart Gardens
British Columbia, Canada

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Richmond, United Kingdom

Saint Petersburg Botanical Garden
Saint Petersburg, Russia

Eram Garden
Shiraz, Iran

Kenrokuen Garden
Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan



Watch a Video!

How can I get rid of a red ant nest in my lawn?
How can I get rid of a red ant nest in my lawn?
How do I summer prune fruit trees?
How do I summer prune fruit trees?
How to Grow Perennial Scabius
How to Grow Perennial Scabius
Removing a Tree
Removing a Tree
How to Take Care of Spring Flowering Bulbs
How to Take Care of Spring Flowering Bulbs
Five Essential Tips for Growing Lemons
Five Essential Tips for Growing Lemons