What is your feeding regime for container grown potatos?

I have always added a slow release fertiliser to the planting mix ( this year it was Elixir spuds galore) then used a low nitrogen fertilizer once flowering starts. No idea where i got this feeding regime from but I get good crops.

For some reason I do not seem to be able to get low nitrogen fertilizer this year so intend to use tomato food. I hope this is a good idea.

I was wondering what feeding regime others on the forum use.

The RHS says that in generally OK soils, feeding is not necessary (but is necessary in pots). It also suggests a general-purpose feed, without distinguishing between the plant's stage of growth.

TBH I don't feed after putting potato fertiliser in when I plant them in the soil.

This is question about peoples regimes for potatoes grown in pots. I agree with you about when they are grown in the soil.

Tomato food works fine for potatoes in pots, the higher potash is actually what you want once they're flowering. I've used it as a substitute when I ran out of dedicated potato feed and got decent results. Just don't go too heavy with it.

 ConfusedGardener.....thanks for the article on comfrey. I `ve used the Bocking 14 for many years now and replace Tomorite with it for all my tomatoes and potted potatoes. Good cropping on both,and free. I`m trying it on other crops now such as cucumbers and melons. Having now read the article will try it on the french beans.
I keep the tea  in a plastic dustbin over winter for early use.

ConfusedGardener.....thanks for the article on comfrey. I `ve used the Bocking 14 for many years now and replace Tomorite with it for all my tomatoes and potted potatoes. Good cropping on both,and free. I`m trying it on other crops now such as cucumbers and melons. Having now read the article will try it on the french beans.
I keep the tea  in a plastic dustbin over winter for early use.

It's great for pretty much anything when you want to boost the flowering or fruiting responsce in my experience. I'm only using the dried pellet version at the moment as it's not long since I moved here, but my Bocking 14 has been in the ground since the start of spring and looks like it might be ready for a first cut at last.

And if you ever need something to give a nitrogen boost, nettle tea is excellent, but I think for most people comfrey is all you need, apart from compost and a bit of manure and/or BFB perhaps.  I'm trying hard to reduce my reliance on bought products. Still not quite sure what to replace manure with for courgettes and cucumbers though! Perhaps I should reconsider the nettle tea!

Also, regarding feeding potatoes vs feeding tomatoes. Not sure if anyone here saw it, but there was a bit of research published perhaps 6-12 months back which concluded that potatoes were the result of a cross between a tomato plant and another plant that produced sizable tubers, about 5000 years ago, if memory serves.

So it makes sense that nutrition that works well for tomatoes works well for potatoes and vice versa, since they are so closesly related.

And if you ever need something to give a nitrogen boost, nettle tea is excellent, but I think for most people comfrey is all you need, apart from compost and a bit of manure and/or BFB perhaps.  I'm trying hard to reduce my reliance on bought products. Still not quite sure what to replace manure with for courgettes and cucumbers though! Perhaps I should reconsider the nettle tea!

Don't forget that the main reason to add organic matter such as manure is to improve the soil structure, irrespective of whether your soil may tend towards the clay or sandy soil. The fertiliser aspect is less important, and liquid feed is not a substitute for improving soil structure.

Quote from: ConfusedGardener on June 08, 2026, 23:03

And if you ever need something to give a nitrogen boost, nettle tea is excellent, but I think for most people comfrey is all you need, apart from compost and a bit of manure and/or BFB perhaps.  I'm trying hard to reduce my reliance on bought products. Still not quite sure what to replace manure with for courgettes and cucumbers though! Perhaps I should reconsider the nettle tea!

Don't forget that the main reason to add organic matter such as manure is to improve the soil structure, irrespective of whether your soil may tend towards the clay or sandy soil. The fertiliser aspect is less important, and liquid feed is not a substitute for improving soil structure.

Thanks for the reminder Yorkie. That's a great point.

I'm working with newly dug beds (previously a bed filled with ornamentals, and lawn) so structure could certainly use a little TLC.

Have already managed to improve the structure a little by removing carpet, bricks, half rotted bits of wood, and enough rubble to half fill a small skip  I'm hoping this is the last time I have to move. Starting to get tired of clearing other people's mess