Articles on: Garden care

Feeding and fertilising

Plants make their own energy from sunlight, but they draw their nutrients from the soil — and in a busy bed or a pot, those run out. Feeding tops them up. The skill is the right amount at the right time, because more is not better.

What the label means

Letter	Element	What it is for
N	Nitrogen	leaves and green growth
P	Phosphorus	roots
K	Potassium	flowers and fruit

Trace elements come along with them. A high-nitrogen feed pushes leaf; a high-potassium feed — the kind sold as tomato feed — encourages flowers and fruit.

Do you even need it?

If your soil is rich in compost and organic matter, many plants need little or no extra feed. Healthy soil does the work.

Feeding matters most for:

hungry crops such as tomatoes, courgettes and beans
anything in pots and containers
long-flowering plants

Types of feed

Slow-release — compost, well-rotted manure and pelleted feeds release nutrients gently over weeks.

Liquid — acts fast and suits pots and a mid-season boost.

If you prefer to work chemical-free, choose organic feeds and grow organic seed.

When and how

Feed during the growing season, when plants are actively growing — not in winter when they rest. Follow the rate on the pack: doubling it does not double growth and can scorch roots.

Water the soil first if it is dry, then feed, so the nutrients reach the roots safely.

In pots

Container plants rely entirely on you. Their compost is quickly used up, so they need feeding more often than plants in the ground: usually every one to two weeks in summer. Keep them watered too, since dry roots cannot take up feed.

Common mistakes

Overfeeding — lush, soft growth that pests love, and weaker roots.
Feeding dry plants — water first, then feed.
Feeding in winter — resting plants cannot use it.
All nitrogen — great leaves, but few flowers or fruit.

Frequently asked questions

What do the N-P-K numbers mean? The ratio of nitrogen (leaves), phosphorus (roots) and potassium (flowers and fruit) in a feed.

How often should I feed? Beds with good soil: rarely, if at all. Pots: every one to two weeks in the growing season.

Is compost enough? Often yes for beds. Hungry crops and containers usually want a little extra.

Can I make my own feed? Yes — comfrey or nettle teas make good homemade liquid feeds.

The full version of this guide is on seedschoice.com.

For a healthy garden

New to SeedsChoice? Sign up for our newsletter with the "10% off" button in the shop and get 10% off your first order. Orders leave our warehouse in Meppel within 1–2 business days.

Updated on: 05/10/2026

Was this article helpful?

Thank you!