Seasonal guide
When to feed plants.
The short version: feed when something is actively growing, not when it is resting. Here is how to tell the difference, plant by plant.
- The signalNew growth
- FirstWater and light
- PotsHungrier than ground
The feeding year, at a glance
General guidance for the UK. The growing season follows temperature and light, so dates move with the weather and how far north you are. Watch the plant, not the calendar.
| Activity | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houseplants | January: no | February: no | March: yes | April: yes | May: yes | June: yes | July: yes | August: yes | September: yes | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| While there is new growth. Little or none over winter. | ||||||||||||
| Baskets, pots and bedding | January: no | February: no | March: no | April: no | May: yes | June: yes | July: yes | August: yes | September: yes | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| From about six weeks after planting, while they flower. Nothing after September. | ||||||||||||
| Fruiting veg in pots | January: no | February: no | March: no | April: no | May: no | June: yes | July: yes | August: yes | September: yes | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| From the first flowers or fruit, on the label. Enriched ground often needs none. | ||||||||||||
| Roses | January: no | February: no | March: yes | April: yes | May: no | June: no | July: yes | August: no | September: no | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| In the ground: March to April, and again after the first flush. Pots: about fortnightly. | ||||||||||||
| Lawns | January: no | February: no | March: yes | April: yes | May: no | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: yes | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Many need none. Spring while growing, and autumn only if needed. | ||||||||||||
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Houseplants
March to SeptemberWhile there is new growth. Little or none over winter.
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Baskets, pots and bedding
May to SeptemberFrom about six weeks after planting, while they flower. Nothing after September.
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Fruiting veg in pots
June to SeptemberFrom the first flowers or fruit, on the label. Enriched ground often needs none.
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Roses
March to April, JulyIn the ground: March to April, and again after the first flush. Pots: about fortnightly.
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Lawns
March to April, SeptemberMany need none. Spring while growing, and autumn only if needed.
A bar shows when feeding usually applies.
Pick what you are growing
Each plant has its own clock. These are the short versions, with a link to the full guide.
Houseplants
Feed while a houseplant is putting on new growth, from spring into early autumn. In low winter light most slow down or stop, and feed they cannot use builds up in the compost.
- FeedSpring to early autumn
- WinterLittle or none
- Not yetStraight after repotting
Baskets, pots and bedding
Fresh compost holds food for about five or six weeks, so start feeding then. Baskets and pots dry out and feed out fast, and they are hungriest in summer.
- StartAbout six weeks after planting
- Main windowSummer
- StopAfter September
Fruit and veg
Tomatoes and other fruiting crops in pots and grow bags are hungry once the first flowers and fruit appear. Vegetables in enriched ground often need none, and peas and beans need little.
- StartFirst flowers or fruit
- In the groundOften not needed
- WateringSteady
Lawns
Most lawns need little. A spring feed in late March to April, while the grass is growing, is the usual one, and an autumn feed only if the lawn is growing poorly. Never in drought, frost or waterlogging.
- SpringLate March to April
- AutumnOnly if needed
- SkipDrought, frost and waterlogging
Roses, shrubs and trees
Roses in the ground like a feed in March to April and another after the first flush, and roses in pots want it more often. Established shrubs and trees rarely need feeding, and nothing goes on at planting time.
- RosesMarch to April, then after the first flush
- In potsAbout fortnightly
- Shrubs and treesRarely
Bulbs
Bulbs in containers can have a high-potash feed from when shoots appear until the leaves die down. Bulbs in the ground usually need none. Improving the soil before you plant matters more.
- In potsShoots to leaf die-down
- In the groundUsually none
- FirstPrepare the bed
When to feed, and when not to
Feeding on top of stress rarely helps, and more feed does not mean faster recovery.
Do
- Water first, then feedFeed goes on moist compost or soil.
- Feed when there is new growthThat is the signal that a plant can use it.
- Let the label set the amountProducts differ, so the label is the limit.
Don't
- Feed a freshly potted plantFresh compost already has starter nutrients. Check the bag.
- Feed dry, frozen or waterlogged groundIt can damage roots, and the plant cannot use it.
- Feed a dormant or stressed plantHeat, drought, cold and rest all come first.
- Feed by the calendar aloneWatch the plant, not the date.
Feed it in spring, the field answers by summer
It is the same idea as our own farm's seasonal rhythm: what goes into the ground in spring shows up later in the season. The same logic applies at home, whether it is a windowsill or a border.
Questions people ask
Should I feed in winter?
Most plants need little or no feed while dormant over autumn and winter. The growing season is when feeding makes the most difference.
Can you overfeed a plant?
Yes, more is not automatically better. Too much feed leaves salts behind, can scorch leaves and gives soft, lush growth. Follow the label on your product rather than guessing.
Does soil preparation happen at a different time to feeding?
Yes. Soil improvement generally happens before planting or between seasons, while feeding supports something that is already growing.
Should I feed a plant right after repotting it?
Generally no. Fresh compost usually has starter nutrients, so check the bag. A newly disturbed root system does better with time to settle.
How do I know if a plant needs feeding?
Slowed growth, paler leaves than usual, or a long stretch since it was last fed or potted are all reasonable signs. Rule out water, light and pot size first, because they cause the same symptoms.
