This post shows you the best fertilizer for vegetables in pots!
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Are you starting a vegetable container garden?
I always say anyone can grow home grown food in any space and I still 100% believe that!
But it does create a new set of challenges when your plants aren’t naturally growing from the ground outside!
Whether you have a small container garden on your balcony, patio, or indoors, your vegetable plants are heavy feeders and will need a little extra help when it comes to nutrients.
That’s where fertilizer comes in!
But don’t let this small challenge deter you. There are plenty of easy ways to ensure your plants stay thriving and produce plenty all season.
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Let’s go over why your veggies need fertilizer, how to make or find the best options, and the best ways to apply it to your potted plants.
Why Do Potted Plants Need Fertilizer?
So why do your potted veggies need fertilizer in the first place?
When plants grow in the ground, they have access to a wide range of nutrients in the soil.
But when they’re in pots, they only have a limited amount of soil to work with. Over time, they use up the nutrients in that soil, and there’s not much left to help them grow.
Think of it like this: If you only ate the same food every day without getting a balanced diet, you’d start feeling pretty sluggish, right? Well, the same goes for your plants.
They need a mix of nutrients to stay strong, healthy, and productive. Fertilizer provides those extra nutrients that the soil in your pots might be lacking.
Plants are surprisingly just like us, literally and figuratively.
Finding the Best Fertilizer for Growing Vegetables in Pots
Now that we know why fertilizer is so important, let’s dive into how to choose the best one for your vegetable garden in pots.
Understanding N-P-K Ratios
When you look at a bag of fertilizer, you’ll see three numbers, like 10-10-10 or 5-10-5. These numbers represent the N-P-K ratio, which stands for Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). Each of these nutrients plays a different role in helping your plants grow:
- Nitrogen (N): Helps with leafy growth. If you’re growing greens like lettuce or spinach, you’ll want a fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content.
- Phosphorus (P): Supports root development and helps plants produce flowers and fruits. This is important for vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and beans.
- Potassium (K): Boosts overall plant health and helps with disease resistance. It’s important for all types of vegetables.
For a well-rounded fertilizer, you might want to start with a balanced option, like 10-10-10 or 5-5-5, especially if you’re new to gardening.
Organic vs. Synthetic Fertilizers
You’ll also have to choose between organic and synthetic fertilizers. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Organic Fertilizers: These come from natural sources, like compost, manure, bone meal, and worm castings. They’re great because they improve soil structure and add beneficial microorganisms, but they release nutrients more slowly.
- Synthetic Fertilizers: These are made from chemicals and are formulated to provide nutrients quickly. They’re often less expensive and can give your plants an immediate boost, but they don’t improve the soil in the long run.
I’m biased and will always say organic fertilizer is best for growing vegetables in pots if you want to build healthy, long-term soil and plant life.
Synthetic fertilizers can also be helpful if your plants need a quick pick-me-up but they are harmful to the environment and isn’t that the opposite of why we started gardening in the first place?
Looking at you Miracle-Gro!
Make Your Fertilizer
If you’re feeling crafty, you can DIY your fertilizer at home! Here are a few easy options:
1. Compost Tea
Compost tea is a liquid fertilizer made by steeping compost in water. It’s packed with nutrients and beneficial microbes that help your plants grow strong. Here’s how to make it:
- Fill a Bucket: Fill a bucket with water and add a few shovelfuls of compost. If you don’t have compost, you can use well-rotted manure instead.
- Let It Steep: Let the mixture steep for 1-3 days, stirring occasionally. The water will absorb the nutrients from the compost.
- Strain and Use: Strain out the solid bits and use the liquid to water your plants. Compost tea is great for giving your plants a gentle boost.
- Don’t know how to compost? It’s easy and you can even do it in an apartment!
2. Banana Peel Fertilizer
Banana peels are rich in potassium, which is great for fruiting vegetables like tomatoes and peppers. Here’s how to use them:
- Chop Peels: Chop up some banana peels into small pieces.
- Bury in Soil: Bury the pieces in the soil around your plants, or blend them into your potting mix.
- Water Regularly: As the peels decompose, they’ll release potassium into the soil, helping your plants thrive.
3. Eggshell Fertilizer
Eggshells are a great source of calcium, which helps prevent blossom end rot in tomatoes and peppers. Here’s how to use them:
- Rinse and Dry: Rinse out your eggshells and let them dry.
- Crush Them: Crush the eggshells into small pieces or grind them into a powder.
- Mix into Soil: Mix the crushed eggshells into your potting soil or sprinkle them around the base of your plants.
Best Store-Bought Fertilizers
If DIY isn’t your thing, don’t worry! There are plenty of great store-bought fertilizers that can give your potted veggies the nutrients they need.
Espoma Garden-Tone
This is an organic fertilizer with a lower N-P-K ratio (3-4-4), making it great for slow and steady feeding. Espoma Garden-Tone also contains beneficial microbes that improve soil health over time. It’s especially good for tomatoes, peppers, and other fruiting vegetables.
Dr. Earth Home Grown Organic Vegetable Fertilizer
Dr. Earth organic option has a balanced N-P-K ratio (4-6-3) and is designed specifically for vegetables. It’s made from natural ingredients like fishbone meal, kelp meal, and alfalfa meal. Plus, it includes beneficial microbes and fungi to improve soil health.
How to Apply Fertilizer to Potted Plants
Once you’ve chosen your fertilizer, it’s important to apply it correctly. Here’s how to do it:
1. Follow the Instructions
Whether you’re using a store-bought fertilizer or something homemade, always follow the instructions. Over-fertilizing can be harmful to your plants, so it’s important to get the dosage right.
2. Feed Regularly
Potted plants need more frequent feeding than plants in the ground. For most fertilizers, you’ll want to feed your plants every 2-4 weeks during the growing season.
3. Water After Fertilizing
After applying fertilizer, water your plants well. This helps the nutrients soak into the soil and reach the roots.
4. Adjust as Needed
Keep an eye on your plants for signs of nutrient deficiency, like yellowing leaves or stunted growth. If you notice these signs, you might need to adjust your fertilizing schedule or switch to a different type of fertilizer.
Whether you choose to make your own fertilizer or pick up a store-bought option, the most important thing is to give your plants the best fertilizer for growing vegetables in pots and the necessary nutrients they need to thrive. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to a bountiful harvest.
Happy Gardening!
