Get summer feeding right

Give plants a boost for flowers and fruits

- Ruth Hayes

WE have reached peak growing time, with crops ripening and ready for harvest, while flowers are a mass of colour in their prime.

A summer of hot dry spells has made it a challenge to get this far, and consistent watering has been a major consideration, especially for those who garden on thin soils that aren’t good at retaining moisture and nutrients.

Feeding is also important, especially for hungry flowering plants and crops that are starting to ripen. The most necessary component of fertiliser at this time of year is potassium, which aids the production of flowers and fruits.

The easiest way to apply potassium is through liquid tomato food that is watered onto the plants. You can also use cold ash from the fire, by forking it into the soil – though it may raise the acidity of soil if too much is added – and make your own comfrey tea, which is rich in many essential nutrients, including potassium.