Tomato Feed Boosts Late Summer Flowers
Applying tomato feed to patio containers in late summer encourages a final flush of blooms with its high potassium, hardening plants before frost.
A dose of tomato feed in August or early September can keep tired patio containers flowering for several extra weeks. According to Gardening Know How, this specialized fertilizer provides the right nutrient balance to promote late-season blooms without encouraging frost-vulnerable new growth.
Why Tomato Feed Works Now
Tomato feed is very high in potassium, also known as potash. This element drives flower production as well as fruit production. Crucially, tomato food is extremely low in nitrogen. Nitrogen encourages new stems and leaves to grow. Soft green foliage grown late in the season won't have time to toughen up before frost arrives.
Using tomato feed maximizes bloom production while suppressing new stem growth. This prevents leaving the plant vulnerable to frost damage. The high potassium content has another benefit. It strengthens a plant's cell walls, hardening tissue before winter.
The Container Plant Advantage
Container plants exhaust the nutrient supply in their limited soil volume. In a hot, dry summer, frequent watering washes more nutrients away. Tomato feed is typically fortified with magnesium. This micronutrient corrects yellowing leaves, a common sight in container plants by late summer.
Replenishing the soil with tomato food helps plants flower longer. For plants growing in the ground, a seaweed tonic in August will reinvigorate their roots instead.
How to Apply the Feed
Proper application is key. Always water the container first. Moist soil absorbs feed more evenly than dry soil. Use a liquid tomato food like Espoma Tomato! Dilute it accurately according to the package instructions. Adding extra concentrate can burn roots.
Apply in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid evaporation concentrating the feed. Water the soil, not the plant. Re-apply once a fortnight.
Extra Tips for More Flowers
Easy feeding helps. A watering can with a rotating spout makes it easier to target the soil beneath the plant.
Regular deadheading keeps plants flowering into fall. Just five or ten minutes a day makes a huge difference. Use soft-grip pruners.
Consistent soil moisture is tricky with late-season weather changes. A moisture meter tells you exactly when to water.
This advice is part of the site's Weekend Wins series. Other August tasks include removing rose suckers, grooming ornamental grasses with a dog comb, and trimming lavender for winter protection.
