Alan Titchmarsh's best homemade plant feed recipe is 3 simple ingredients - not banana

One of the nation's most cherished horticultural experts has divulged a recipe for a homemade plant feed that promises to make your garden flourish. Alan Titchmarsh, a familiar face from the BBC's Chelsea Garden Show, highlighted the bewildering array of choices faced by gardeners in search of nourishment for their plants at garden centres.

Titchmarsh explained that, like humans, plants have an appetite for nutrients, and from May onwards, all potted greenery should be treated to a diluted liquid feed. He advocates for a weekly application if doable, but at a minimum, once every two weeks during the active growth period.

The esteemed green-fingered expert remarked: "When you see the shelves in the garden centre, oh my goodness, it is like looking at a supermarket. There are more kinds of liquid feed then you can shake a trowel at, I like to go for an organic feed because I am an organic gardener.

"Organic feeds feed soil bacteria which is vital to keep a healthy garden and that would always be the choice for me."

The beloved presenter also mentioned that gardeners have plenty of options, including concocting their own liquid feed. Among the plethora of homemade solutions, he suggested trying to create a nettle tea, reported Wales Online.

Titchmarsh has shared a top tip for gardeners, advising them to chop up a blend of comfrey, which is rich in potassium, and stinging nettles. He demonstrated cutting the ingredients with shears before submerging the nettles and comfrey into a bucket of water, stirring to thicken the mixture and placing a brick atop the plant matter to keep it submerged.

The popular presenter informed gardeners should let the concoction steep for three to four weeks until it's ready. The gardening guru recommended diluting one part of the mixture with ten parts water but stressed that "it's not science" and urged garden enthusiasts to trust their instincts.

Due to its strong smell, Titchmarsh advises applying the nettle tea to plants at night to prevent disturbing the neighbours. He emphasised the importance of ensuring the pot soil is moist before using the mix.

He explained: "When it is nice and damp, that is when you can apply it. That way the liquid feed can go straight into action, rather than scorching the roots.

"If the soil is dry, the plant is already under stress, it is thinking 'where is the water coming from?'"

The seasoned gardener noted that certain plants, like roses, are particularly fond of this homemade fertiliser. He suggested that adding two capfuls of the brew to a watering can will create an effective feeding solution for your plants.

Gardeners can then hydrate their plants, with Titchmarsh highlighting the importance of leaving ample space in the pot and not filling it to the brim with soil. This allows the water to properly seep into the soil without causing an overflow from the pot.