Decide whether to feed and apply fertiliser

When to do it

When a growing plant has a demonstrated need or its established feeding instructions call for it.

What you need

• Plant and product instructions
• Measuring equipment
• Water and appropriate protective equipment

How to do it

1. Check moisture, drainage, roots, light and recent feeding before blaming pale or slow growth on nutrients. Consider pH or a soil test for persistent problems.
2. Choose a product suited to the crop, growing medium and life stage. Read the nutrient analysis, application rate, frequency and precautions; soil improver is not automatically a complete feed.
3. Measure the planted area or required dilution. For liquid feed, add the labelled amount to the stated water volume; stronger is not better.
4. Apply as directed, avoiding stems, leaves and runoff unless the label specifically requires foliar use. Water dry roots first if instructed and avoid feeding severely stressed plants.
5. Record product, amount and date. Watch new growth over time; do not stack several treatments before you can judge the result.

What success looks like

• The application is measured and new growth improves if deficiency was the cause.

Watch out for

• Diagnosing a particular deficiency from leaf colour alone.
• Treating Epsom salts as a universal tonic.
• Feeding dormant or waterlogged plants to force growth.

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