What is Fertigation?
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The word "Fertirrigation" (or Fertigation) sounds like a scholarly term reserved for farmers or chemists. Yet, you might already be doing it without knowing!
It's simply the contraction of Fertilization (fertilizer) and Irrigation(watering). In short: it's the art of feeding your plants at the same time as you water them, by diluting liquid fertilizer in your watering water.
No more hand-spreading granules. Discover why this "pro" method is often more effective and how to apply it at home without burning your roots.
For professionals (as here in hydroponics), complex systems automatically inject fertilizer. Rest assured, at home, it's much simpler!
1. Why feed your plants when watering?
Unlike sticks or granules that take weeks to decompose in the soil, fertigation offers an actionimmediate.
- Speed:The nutrients are already dissolved in the water; the roots absorb them immediately. It's the ideal "boost" for a tired or growing plant.
- Uniformity:Fertilizer is distributed wherever water goes, reaching the entire root system, not just one area.
- Savings:We dose to the millimeter, without waste.
2. In the Garden: The mixing method
For your demanding tomatoes, rose bushes, or flower beds, you'll need volume. This involves diluting a capful of liquid fertilizer (or homemade nettle manure) in a large volume of water.
The goal is to bring the water+fertilizer mixture directly to the base of the plant, where the roots are located.
The mistake to absolutely avoid:Never pour pure fertilizer directly onto the soil! It is imperative to dilute it in a large volume of water to avoid burning the plant by overdose.
The Gardener's "Shaker"
To successfully prepare your water/fertilizer mix in the garden, you need a practical, large-capacity container. The Parisian Watering Can is ideal for preparing 6L or 11L of nutrient solution at once.
- 🧪 Wide opening:Easy to fill, measure fertilizer, and mix.
- 🌧️ Gentle Diffusion:The rose distributes fertilizer evenly at the base of crops without digging up the soil.
- 💪 Robust: Does not fear active products or homemade slurries.
3. Indoors: Watch out for stains!
Liquid fertilizers for green plants are often colored, odorous, and highly concentrated. If you spill some on your parquet floor, carpet, or TV cabinet, a stain is guaranteed.
Indoors, fertigation requires a surgical precision. You must pour the mixture directly onto the soil in the pot, without touching the leaves (risk of burning) or overflowing the saucer.
Aim accurately and cleanly
Don't risk staining your interior with fertilized water. With our fine-spout watering can, you deposit the fertilizer right into the heart of the pot.
- 🎯 Precision Spout: Zero drops next to the pot.
- ✨ Copper Stainless Steel:A healthy material that is easy to clean after use to avoid leaving fertilizer residues.
4. Pro Tip: Foliar Fertilization (Misting)
Did you know that plants also eat through their leaves? This is called foliar fertilization.
Certain specific fertilizers (very diluted) or natural solutions like liquid seaweed can be sprayed directly onto the foliage. Absorption through the leaf pores is almost instantaneous. It's a "magical" technique to quickly restore an intense green color to a yellowing plant.
Foliar feeding
To apply a foliar fertilizer, you shouldn't soak the leaf, but cover it with a light mist. A quality tool is needed.
- ☁️ Micro-diffusion: Covers the leaf surface optimally for maximum absorption.
- 💎 Durable Brass:The brass mechanism resists active products better than basic plastic sprayers.
5. Three golden rules not to kill your plants
Fertigation is powerful, so some safety instructions must be followed:
- Rule No. 1 (The most important): Never fertilize dry soil!If the plant is very thirsty, it will absorb the mixture too quickly and burn its roots. First, water with plain water, wait 1 or 2 hours, then apply the water+fertilizer mixture.
- Rule No. 2: Respect the doses.When it comes to fertilizer, "more" does not mean "better". An overdose is often fatal.
- Rule No. 3: The right timing. No fertilizer in winter (vegetative rest) or on a sick or stressed plant.
Your turn!
Fertigation is the simplest and most direct way to boost your garden or houseplants. With the right dosage and the right tool to apply it, it's a guarantee of spectacular growth.
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Baraillé Jacques
je souhaite procéder à la ferti irrigation sur vigne de cuve, goutte à goutte, parcelle irriguée par lot de 2 ha.
jacques Baraillé.