How I Fertilize My Container Garden | What I Use, Frequency & NPK Explanation

[@esterrivera2281]

Thank you for making fertilizing less complicated. ❤ your channel!

[@ChicagoGardener]

That makes me so happy to hear bc that was my goal! It was my HORT100 class where the fertilizer info started clicking for me.

[@noeland8129]

This was sooo needed. I’m taking notes

[@ChicagoGardener]

Yay! I’m glad it’s helpful!!

[@j.b.6855]

Most container gardens are different that others because we use different containers.That being said I am mainly an organic gardener. I find that if I prep the containers in the spring most of the fertilizers are not needed during the growing season. Prepping is dumping, adding compost and leaf mold, and a cup per 7 gallon container of my all purpose favorite, Chick N Poo pelletized chicken manure. I get it at Menards, $11 for a forty pound bag. Its an organic 4-6-2. To stay on the safe side I do a July top dressing with it, mixing it into the mulch. I use Alaska fish emulsion as a fast problem solver for yellowing leaves, but a quart bottle is going on 5 years old and 3/4 gone. Most of it used in the first two years.

[@ChicagoGardener]

This is the second recommendation for the Alaskan fish fertilizer, so I need to try that!

[@j.b.6855]

@@ChicagoGardener For me its only a backup for specific uses as a fast nitrogen boot. The pelletized chicken manure is better, especially for bloom and root development. But its granular and takes time to make the nutrients available.

[@flowerpixel]

So glad I watched this. Yesterday I purchased fox farm big bloom on Amazon and decided to change it last minute to tiger bloom. Thanks for the video. The n/p ratios are interesting and easy to forget

[@ChicagoGardener]

NPK took me the longest to remember!

[@casey7054]

Your channel is so helpful to me. It’s been really nice to get such thorough guidance on an actual small footprint container garden with both flowers and vegetables. So far, my first growing season has been great and I’ve used a lot of your tips. Thanks!

[@ChicagoGardener]

That makes me so happy to hear!! What are you favorite things so far you’re growing this year?

[@marilynruggeberg]

Finally got everything in the ground. Time to feed it all. Thank you for the information. ❤❤❤ Marilyn

[@ChicagoGardener]

I’m also happy to help!! It’s a good feeling once everything is planted for the season.

[@LucyLemmon]

To save money, I just use a gradual fertilizer and Alaskan Fish fertilizer for water soluble fertilizing on everything--flowers, veggies, herbs and it has worked for me for years.

[@ChicagoGardener]

Where do you get the Alaskan Fish fertilizer from? I’d like to try that!

[@doowopshopgal]

Oh yes this was very helpful. Fertilize Fridays is catchy and will use that to remind me. And even NPK confuses me I definitely will write that up on an index card and keep it with my watering cans. I am terrible at fertilizing 😞😞☹️. Lazy also. Thanks for that boost you just gave me.

[@ChicagoGardener]

I’m really good at staying on top of garden maintenance until about mid-July 🤣 We’ll see how I do this year!

[@joshrg22]

Glad to know someone else has fertilizer Friday too! Funny. My wife gets a kick out of that saying. Thanks for the video! I'm working towards a fertilizer injector for the irrigation system. If you're interested in something like that Amazon has a couple of injector systems worth looking into.

[@ChicagoGardener]

I’ll definitely look into it! If you find one you like, let me know!

[@alice_rabbit8345]

Good timing! I just potted up flowers on my front porch!

[@ChicagoGardener]

What did you plant??

[@craftywithstyle1]

Thank you for the very informative video, especially since I live in Chicago as well, so it really good to see this. Of course I subscribed. This is the first time I planted with a plan, Hopefully next year I’ll do better in your experience what seed company do you use?

[@ChicagoGardener]

Johnnys seed it my favorite! They’re seed packets come with a ton of growing info. I’d say about 90% of my seeds each year are from them.

[@priyankawadke1067]

Stumbled upon your channel yesterday and have been only binge watching lol. Loved your content and your videos are therapeutic. Keep up the good work! P.S: Love the hat and looking for something similar to wear for gardening. Please share the link 🔗 if any. TIA

[@ChicagoGardener]

Thank you so much! I got my hat from asos years ago. It’s no longer available but they have a bunch of cute ones on their site!

[@cklew8999]

Good day! Your channel great,good info! My first year using grow bags, impressed with what you do where you are. I Have good results with bags, tough conditions here. Thanks for info,

[@yesidtac7863]

Buenos productos

[@privateperson5769]

Its funny you guys in the States have 10 10 10 and 20 20 20 fertilisers. I do not think we have them in my country. We have like the NPK of 7 - 0.5 - 2 . When I asked on a forum abt getting 10-10-10 fertiliser here I was laughed at :) and asked what the heck I was growing. It is still a percentage...I don't why they seem so different. We have a common product used here which is liquid seaweed, plants seem to love it, I think it is more like a tonic than a fertiliser.

[@ChicagoGardener]

That’s so funny! I’ve heard good things about liquid seaweed. How often do you use it?

[@vinessac]

Just wanted an opinion… it’s been raining here and super damp here in New Hampshire for weeks on end and because my plants have been consistently wet, I haven’t been able to use my water soluble fertilizer. I even moved them all under my patio umbrella but still they get wet. Do you think I should try mixing in a granule type fertilizer into the wet soil? Doesn’t seem to be much dry weather in sight 😢

[@ChicagoGardener]

I usually have that problem too but we’ve had such a dry season so far! That’s exactly what I did, added granular fertilizer instead of applying more liquid.

[@vinessac]

Ok good I will try that! Thank you ☺️

[@DaveCollierCamping]

Great info

[@PinkLadyTools]

Hello! Do you have a email for business inquiries?

[@ChicagoGardener]

You can message me on Instagram @chicagogardener!

[@PinkLadyTools]

@@ChicagoGardener Awesome! We just messaged you!

[@Sacred5mokE]

I love my gaia greens, alaskan fish fertilizer and fish sh!t is the actual brand name.

[@ChicagoGardener]

Adding these to my list!

[@Sacred5mokE]

@ChicagoGardener just a heads up the alaskan fish fertilizer is a 5•1•1 that feeds whatever you are growing. As for the fish sh!t. It is a soil conditioner that operates as creating a new bacterial ecosystem within the soil growing beneficial bacteria that also feeds and sustains whatever you are growing into its full potential.