Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Ideas for gadgets to feed liquid fertiliser to plants

M33R4M33R4 Posts: 291
in Problem solving
I tried the MiracleGro gadget that connects directly to a hose but the feed seems to hardly get dispersed:


I then bought the Birchmeier Aquamix from Ebay as it has a hose that sits inside it all the way to the bottom of the bottle to ensure feed is pulled up through it and distributed, but I had to return it as it was leaking 



These days I pour liquid feed directly over plant roots and immediately point the shower of my hose over them to wash the feed down to the roots.


Any tips on how to feed plants quickly thereby avoiding a watering can's help please?
I wish I could garden all year round!
«134567

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I don't understand why you need an alternative to a watering can?

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • M33R4M33R4 Posts: 291
    Fairygirl said:
    I don't understand why you need an alternative to a watering can?

    Broke my wrist a few years ago and I have weakness so holding a watering can is tricky.
    I wish I could garden all year round!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    In that case, it might be better to use something like the slow release granules, or BF&B,  at the start of the season, and then water as you're doing with the hose when/if needed.

    It depends on the plants and where they are too. I don't use liquid feeds for very many plants in the ground for example. Clematis is about the only type of plant. Other than that, it's only heavy flowering annuals, and the tomatoes themselves, and only the odd things in containers. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Does any feed, to surface, to roots, to foliage really make a difference?  Water, yes, if needed.  BUt give the feed a rest.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Years ago, one of the top gardeners on TV,  could have been Monty,  but he said putting liquid feed on the garden is a waste of money, it just washes through,  as @Fairygirl says,  use a granular feed.
    Does your garden really need feed? 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236
    I have heard Charles Dowding mention he doesn't feed his outdoor toms and instead lets the plant get all its nutrients from the soil.

    So @Fairygirl idea of feeding the soil with BF&B should work quite well, providing you are in a position to do that, I did the same in my veg beds about 2 weeks before planting.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I've just read the instructions on how to use that Miracle Gro gadget, more or less "Use it everywhere every two weeks".  Miracle-Gro® Feeder, 1 unit | Love The Garden

    How to increase the leaching of chemicals into our rivers and lakes and produce large juicy leaves to increase your resident slug population!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    edited May 2023
    I sometimes wonder if there isn't something psychological going on when we think of our plants like hungry children, waiting to be fed. Plants get their energy from the sun of course, the 'feed' contains minerals to replenish the soil - for the plant it's more like a multivitamin than 'food'. Like multivitamins it can sometimes barely have any effect if the plant is already getting what it needs, and too much can cause problems. Therefore I believe it's best to be sparing, and unless you are growing prize marrows etc a little granular slow release fertiliser is adequate for most things.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • M33R4M33R4 Posts: 291
    The previous owners of my house had a lawn and the rest which were borders, were packed with membrane and gravel, decking etc. Over the years I've removed as much of this as possible to make room for planting instead but the soil was compacted, there were too many stones/gravel. I've been improving the soil over the years, adding manure, organic matter, etc and as I went along I noticed some plants were struggling where they were. I would move them to other places to give them a chance but often this didn't make much difference. I found when I fed the plants they did a lot better, got stronger, made stronger roots etc which in itself improved the soil. I also feed plants in pots as the compost I've been buying is so weak those plants live but they don't flourish. From my experience my garden thrives on feed.
    I wish I could garden all year round!
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    I’m in a VERY similar situation. I’ve found that farmyard manure (commercial stuff) makes a HUGE difference. 

    I fork it in when I’m planting and also put a thick layer over the whole bed in Autumn and then bark in spring. 

    I also fed the new beds out the back last year every month during the growing season but didn’t feed in the front. 

    The front really struggled but the back romped away. Both full sun and some of the same plants. I’m sure the feed helped. 


Sign In or Register to comment.