Hey everyone! I'm a first-time gardener with some seedlings started indoors, including tomatoes, cucumbers, and a few flowers like zinnias, marigolds, and calendula. I'm trying to get my head around fertilizing before I start hardening them off and moving them outside. Do I need different fertilizers for each type, or can I use natural options like compost, coffee grounds, eggshells, and banana water for all of them? Also, when's the best time to start fertilizing so I don't overwhelm them or wait too long? I'd really appreciate any tips you have!
3 Answers
Generally, you don't even need fertilizer if your soil has compost. That said, some gardeners like to add a little boost. You can stick with just one type of vegetable fertilizer from the garden store. The powder fertilizers I use dissolve in water, and you really just need about a half tablespoon per plant for light feeding. Seedlings don't usually need any fertilizer until they hit a growth stall; if that happens, just a pinch will do. Keep fertilizer away from the stems to avoid root burn!
So here's the scoop: banana water might not be worth your time. Compost is your friend – it enriches the soil with organic matter, helping your plants absorb nutrients. Since tomatoes and cucumbers are heavy feeders, I'd recommend a balanced fish fertilizer every couple of weeks, using it diluted as per the instructions.
Thank you!! Do you have any specific brands of fish fertilizer you like?
Compost will really boost your soil health, making it easier for plants to take up fertilizers. For your flowers and veggies, I like using Neptune fertilizers; if they're in pots, Osmocote is a solid choice.
Thanks for that! Is the Neptune fertilizer organic? I want to keep things natural for my food.
That's super helpful; thank you so much!