How to fertilise container plants.

Plants grown in containers need to be fertilised regularly when compared to plants grown in the ground. This is because plants grown in containers get access to less soil and nutrients get depleted within 6 weeks. Knowing how to fertilise your plants can help you to get a healthy plant that gives good yields.

How to fertilise container plants.

Basic nutrients that plants need:

The basic nutrients that plants need are nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. These are macronutrients for our plants. The basic micronutrients that plants need include calcium, magnesium, manganese, boron, and zinc.
Nitrogen is essential for foliage growth in plants. Phosphorous is needed for overall plant growth, it also helps plants to withstand any diseases.
Potassium is essential for flowering and fruiting in plants.
When you purchase fertilisers in garden centres the N-P-K ratio denotes the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium ratio in the bags. Its best to use organic fertilisers rather that chemical fertilisers. Organic fertilisers are slow release fertilisers that help to improve soil structure and fertility. Here are some organic fertilisers to use for your plants.

Types of fertiliser for plants:

You can use granular or liquid fertilisers to feed your plants. Now let’s find out more about them and how to apply them.

Granular fertilisers

They are slow-release fertilisers.
When to apply to your plants: Granular fertilisers can be mixed into the potting mix. You can also add granular fertilisers to the topsoil once a month.

Liquid fertilisers

These fertilisers are mixed in water and can be added to your plants. They are easily absorbed by plants.

When to apply to your plants: It can be applied once every 3 to 4 weeks.

Here are some of the best DIY liquid fertilisers that can be added to your plants.

Best organic fertilizers for container plants.

Some of the best organic fertilisers to add to your garden include seaweed, bone meal, blood meal, groundnut cake, neem cake and mustard cake. You can use them as a granular fertiliser or as a liquid fertiliser.

How often to fertilise container plants

While fertilising your plants can encourage healthy growth, over-fertilizing your plants can cause more damage to your plants. Knowing exactly when to fertilise your plants is needed

For vegetable plants, you can fertilise your plants with liquid fertiliser once in 3 weeks. For heavy feeders like tomato, corn and other plants you can use liquid fertiliser once in 2 weeks.

For flowers and herb plants, you can fertilise your plants with liquid fertiliser once a month.

Can you use compost as a fertiliser for your plants?

Adding compost to your potting mix improves soil structure and soil fertility. Making your compost can help to eliminate biodegradable waste and is cost-effective. While preparing potting mix, you can mix compost instead of granular fertilisers. You can fertilise your vegetable plants with compost once in 3 weeks. If you want to know how to make compost read this article.