Plant Nutrition: What Your Plants Really Need to Thrive

When we talk about plant nutrition, the essential nutrients plants absorb from soil and water to grow, reproduce, and resist disease. Also known as fertilization, it’s not just about adding fertilizer—it’s about understanding what’s actually in the ground and how your plants use it. Most people think their plants just need water and sunlight. But if the soil is locked up, compacted, or missing key minerals, even the most careful watering won’t save them.

Good soil health, the ability of soil to support plant life through balanced nutrients, structure, and microbial activity is the real foundation. You can’t fix poor nutrition by dumping in store-bought feed. That’s why so many gardeners see their plants struggle even after feeding them. Fresh compost, proper aeration, and natural amendments like gypsum or coffee grounds do more than synthetic fertilizers because they rebuild the soil’s ecosystem. And it’s not magic—it’s science. A 2023 study from the Royal Horticultural Society found that plants grown in healthy soil used 40% less water and were 3x more resistant to pests. That’s because healthy soil feeds the roots, not just the leaves.

composting, the natural breakdown of organic matter into nutrient-rich humus is one of the most powerful tools you have. But here’s the catch: not all compost is good compost. If it’s too fresh, too acidic, or mixed with treated wood or plastics, it can kill your plants instead of helping them. That’s why we’ve got posts that show you how to tell when your compost is ready, what to avoid, and how to fix bad batches before they wreck your garden. And if you’ve ever wondered whether Epsom salt really helps tomatoes or if vinegar spray is safe, those questions are answered too—no fluff, just what works in UK gardens.

Plant nutrition isn’t about following a calendar or buying the priciest feed. It’s about reading your plants, understanding your soil, and working with nature—not against it. Whether you’re growing indoor houseplants, fruit bushes, or veggie beds, the same rules apply: feed the soil, not just the plant. Below, you’ll find real fixes from people who’ve rescued dying plants, tested water types, and learned the hard way what does—and doesn’t—work. No theory. No guesswork. Just what actually gets results.