[gsc]

Morning all

I have ordered some water butts and I would like to keep one (maybe 2)  filled with something I can use on a daily basis with some basic feed in it when I need to water from a can.

Since most can watering will be needed for hanging baskets and things like tomatoes in grow bags I guess this would be my focal point.  I'd like to be able to say 'just water from this butt while I'm on holiday' etc., keeping it as simple as possible.

So what mix of N:P:K to how much water would you use as being the most versatile?

[bigben]

I have never tried it myself but a friend chucks a load of growmore into one of his water butts at the start of the season and uses that. As long as it is not too concentrated you should be ok. A dilute feed will do no harm while a concentrated one could. His is topped up by rainwater from his shed so it gradually dilutes anyway. He alternates his watering with that and plain water.

[JayG]

The feeding needs of tomatoes and plants in hanging baskets are different, so although something like Phostrogen or Miracle Grow probably wouldn't actually harm your plants it wouldn't be the ideal formulation for everything either.

Another point is that the watering needs of plants in hanging baskets and growbags are far higher than their feeding needs; they might need watering every day but definitely should not be fed every day.

I don't know how long your holidays are but plants would be fine for a couple of weeks if they are kept just watered.
I think the water-butt liquid feed idea is OK but needs to be managed properly (also make sure the butt is kept covered; the contents will be a rich medium for growing a primordial soup if the light gets to it!)