My Mid-January Garden Feeding Routine (To Carry Us to the End of the Season + Prep for Winter) 

Mid-January is usually when I do a slow walk through the garden and I can feel what’s happening. Everything is still producing, still growing, still trying… but the soil has worked hard for months, and the heat (and wind!) can make plants look tired really quickly. This is the time of year when I remind myself: if I want my garden to keep giving until the end of the season, then I need to give back now.

I don’t do anything complicated — I just stick to a routine that works. And honestly, consistency is what keeps a garden strong all the way through.

My Feeding Plan Right Now 

1. Slow-Release Fertiliser (Every 4 Months)

One of the best things I ever started doing in the garden is feeding with a slow-release fertiliser every 4 months. It gives your plants steady nutrients over time, instead of a quick boost that disappears after a week.  So right now, mid-January, I do that full garden feed again — because this is exactly the stage where everything needs the support to keep pushing until the end of the season.

2. Every 6 Weeks: My Liquid Boosters   

Throughout the growing season, I keep my garden strong with a simple 6-week routine. I use Comfrey and Worm Tea. It’s gentle, natural, and you can see the difference in how plants cope, recover, and keep producing.

My Quick Comfrey Tea Recipe 

This is how I make mine at home:

• Fill a bucket halfway with comfrey leaves

• Cover with water and pop a lid on

• Leave it for 4 weeks

• Dilute before using: 1 part tea to 10 parts water

• Water it onto the soil around plants (not on the leaves)

Yes… it smells a little wild 😅 but it works like magic.

This time of year, I also keep these basics in mind:

• I always feed after watering (or water in properly after feeding)

• I top up mulch to keep the soil cool and moist

• I don’t feed plants that are already bone-dry and stressed — I hydrate first

• I remind myself the goal is steady growth… not rushing or forcing the garden

Because a garden doesn’t suddenly stop… it slowly fades when the soil runs low and plants start struggling. Mid-January feeding helps your garden keep going for weeks longer, and it quietly sets you up for winter too, because you’re building healthier soil while you go.

Strong soil now = easier gardening later

Happy Gardening Friends

Tash & Family

Want More Help Keeping Your Garden Going? 

If you enjoyed this post and you want more practical, real-life tips to help you push through the rest of the season (and get your garden ready for winter), then you’re going to LOVE our VanZylStead Digital Magazines. Each month we focus on what’s happening right now in the garden — what to plant, what to fix, what to feed, and how to keep things thriving even when the season gets tough.  The best part? You can become a member on our website for ongoing access and downloads… or if you’re not ready for membership yet, you can simply buy the digital magazines without becoming a member — including the option to grab all 6 magazines in one bundle for loads of inspiration, seasonal guidance, and step-by-step support.