Plant feeding: application

Remember that plant foods can only be absorbed by roots when there is sufficient moisture present in the soil. If the plants are dry, apply clear water before feeding with either solid or liquid plant foods.
Apply the right amount, don’t add extra for luck. The application rate has been worked out to give maximum benefits. Overdosing is wasteful and co

uld harm your plants.

By hose-end feeder

Soluble plant foods can be watered over large areas easily and quickly with modern devices such as the Feeder. The plant food is dissolved in the container and gradually picked up and further diluted by the water jetting through the hose. The Feeder comes filled with All Purpose Soluble Plant Food so it is ready to use when you buy it. You can also use LiquaFeed All Purpose Plant Food Starter Kit system of concentrated liquid plant foods. Simply screw in a bottle to the device and the water pressure of your hose accurately dilutes the feed.

By hand

Check the recommended rate before you start. Weigh the amount in your own ‘handful’ on kitchen scales to see how this compares with the recommended application rate. Spread the plant food over the prescribed area and then rake in. Wash your hands after application.

Through a watering can

Make sure you use a watering can that has not been used previously for weedkillers unless it is thoroughly washed out and rinsed several times. Fill with clean water from the drinking tap or water butt and then add the amount of plant food prescribed on the pack or bottle. Stir thoroughly until dissolved and then water the soil around plants.

By spreader

Treating large areas of lawn is easy if you can use a mechanical spreader with wheels. It will give more even application than by hand and is quick to treat large areas. Follow the instructions for settings carefully and clean out the hopper after each use to prevent corrosion.

The advantages of controlled release plant foods

These smart plant foods are clean and convenient to use – proving a steady release of plant nutrients from one application. In warm weather when plants are growing faster, more plant foods are released. If temperatures go down, slowing plant growth the release of nutrients is reduced in line.
You can buy loose granules such as Controlled Release Plant Food for application to soil around trees, shrubs and flowering plants. All Purpose Continuous Release Plant Food Tablets or Controlled Release Plant Food Tablets are high in potash and contain magnesium and trace elements for insertion below the surface of the compost in hanging baskets, pots, tubs and other containers.

Apply at the right time

Plants need feeding just prior to their start into growth or while they are actively growing. For most plants this in the spring when new leaves, stems and flowers are being produced and during the summer. Don’t feed outdoor plants in late autumn or winter – excessive nitrogen may encourage soft growth that is more prone to frost damage.