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How to Save Time While Fertilizing

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Mixing liquid fertilizer can be time-consuming, so I’d like to share with you a way that I have found to get more done in less time. In this video, I’ll show you how to use liquid fertilizer more efficiently.

 

 

As an organic gardener, I don’t have to fertilize much because I use a lot of compost, and the compost provides most of the nutrients my plants need. Still, I do like to come in periodically and add some supplemental fertilization. 

My fertilizer of choice is usually liquid fish fertilizer. For years, the way that I mixed a batch was to add fertilizer and water to my watering can, one canful at a time. Out of each batch, I’d usually have enough to fertilize one bed. With all the beds that I have in my garden, this meant mixing a lot of batches. But I’ve since come up with a time-saver.

 

Mixing liquid fertilizer

Mixing multiple small batches of liquid fertilizer is time-consuming. I’ve found a more efficient way.

 

Instead of diluting enough fertilizer to make one batch at a time, I use a large TubTrug to make 8 gallons at a time. I mix the liquid fertilizer with water at the same ratio I would use when making a small batch. Then, I dip my watering can into the tub to fill it up quickly. I can refill the can this way multiple times. When there is just a little liquid left in the tub, I can pick the flexible tub up and pour it into the watering can without spilling any.

 

I make one large batch of liquid fertilizer, then dip my watering can into the tub to fill it up quickly. I can refill the can this way multiple times.

I make one large batch of liquid fertilizer, then dip my watering can into the tub to fill it up quickly. I can refill the can this way multiple times.

 

TubTrugs have lines drawn on the inside that show you how many quarts or gallons it is holding. To make it even easier to see my target, I mark the 8-gallon line with a Sharpie. 

 

TubTrug

TubTrugs have lines drawn on the inside that show you how many quarts or gallons it is holding. To make it even easier to see my target, I mark the 8-gallon line with a Sharpie.

 

When I’m not using my TubTrug to mix fertilizer, it has so many other uses, from carrying soil and compost to a container for your harvest. I’m sure you’ll also find it very handy to have in the garden.

 

TubTrugs

TugTrugs have all sorts of uses around the garden. When I’m not using mine to mix liquid fertilizer, they come in handy for carting compost, soil, vegetative waste and more.

 

What solutions do you have to save time fertilizing in the garden? Let us know in the comments below.

Links & Resources

Some product links in this guide are affiliate links. See full disclosure below.

Episode 046: Organizing Your Gardening Life

Episode 063: Garden Fertilizer Basics: What to Know Before You Grow

Episode 109: Garden Safety: When Shortcuts Have Consequences

Episode 210: Non-Negotiables for Summer Success in the Garden

joegardener blog: The Numbers on Fertilizer Labels, What They Mean

joegardener Online Gardening Academy™: Popular courses on gardening fundamentals; managing pests, diseases & weeds; seed starting and more.

joegardener Online Gardening Academy Beginning Gardener Fundamentals: Essential principles to know to create a thriving garden.

joegardener Online Gardening Academy Growing Epic Tomatoes: Tomato expert Craig LeHoullier joins me in leading this course on how to grow healthier, productive tomato plants and how to overcome tomato-growing challenges. 

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Growing a Greener World® 

Liquid fish fertilizer

Watering can

Corona® Tools – Video sponsor and Brand Partner of joegardener.com

Disclosure: Some product links in this guide are affiliate links, which means we would get a commission if you purchase. However, none of the prices of these resources have been increased to compensate us. None of the items included in this list have any bearing on any compensation being an influencing factor on their inclusion here. The selection of all items featured in this post and podcast were based solely on merit and in no way influenced by any affiliate or financial incentive, or contractual relationship. At the time of this writing, Joe Lamp’l has professional relationships with the following companies who may have products included in this post and podcast: Rain Bird, Corona Tools, Milorganite, Soil3, Exmark, Greenhouse Megastore, High Mowing Organic Seeds, Territorial Seed Company, Wild Alaskan Seafood Box and TerraThrive. These companies are either Brand Partners of joegardener.com and/or advertise on our website. However, we receive no additional compensation from the sales or promotion of their product through this guide. The inclusion of any products mentioned within this post is entirely independent and exclusive of any relationship.

 

About Joe Lamp'l

Joe Lamp’l is the creator and “joe” behind joe gardener®. His lifetime passion and devotion to all things horticulture has led him to a long-time career as one of the country’s most recognized and trusted personalities in organic gardening and sustainability. That is most evident in his role as host and creator of Emmy Award-winning Growing a Greener World®, a national green-living lifestyle series on PBS currently broadcasting in its tenth season. When he’s not working in his large, raised bed vegetable garden, he’s likely planting or digging something up, or spending time with his family on their organic farm just north of Atlanta, GA.

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