We are in a retirement village so reduced to using pots - why is the Tomato Food not suitable for pots? This has been the most successful fertiliser in our garden at home. Many thanks, look forward to hearing from you.

Pat & Laurie

Hi Pat & Laurie, the reason we do not recommend Tui Tomato Food in pots and containers is that it has no release control mechanism and so the fertiliser releases all at once and if it is over applied there is a risk of burning the plants roots. Fertiliser is essentially salts, which build up around the pot wall and so there is nowhere for it to go unless it leaches out of the pot with watering.

For pots and containers we recommend Tui Novatec Premium slow release fertiliser or Tui Enrich Tomato, Vege & Herb controlled release fertiliser, both are suitable for pots and containers or the garden. Novatec is an all purpose fertiliser suitable for a wide range of plants including fruit trees, citrus, flowers, vegetables and tomatoes.

If you already have Tomato Food and to save you a trip back to the garden centre, apply it at half the recommended rate, go lightly and don’t be tempted to give your plants a little bit extra. Water in well. Reapply every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.