Everything you need to know about low feeders, medium feeders and high feeders

Heavy, medium, and light feeders

Plants need nutrients to grow. However, not every plant has the same nutrient and nitrogen requirements. Generally speaking, all plants can be divided into three categories: heavy, medium, and light feeders. Heavy feeders have the greatest demands, while light feeders are the most modest, thriving even in poor and rather poor soils. It is therefore sensible and common practice to grow certain plants together or one after the other: heavy feeders first, then medium feeders, and finally light feeders. This allows the nutrients in the soil to be optimally utilized. Finally, green manure is recommended to add nutrients back to the soil.

Of course, you can also grow heavy feeders two years in a row, but the soil must be enriched with nutrients in other ways, such as fertilizing or adding compost. However, it's actually better to grow different feeders in succession or to maintain mixed crops. This also allows the soil to recover, and the harvest can continue at the same time.

So, which plants are heavy feeders, which are medium feeders, and which are light feeders? Here are a few examples:

Heavy feeders:
Eggplant , potatoes, white cabbage, pumpkin , leeks, tomatoes , zucchini , celery

Medium feeders:
Carrots , peppers , radishes , spring onions , spinach , kohlrabi, leeks

Low-nutrient feeders:
Peas , beans , lamb's lettuce, dandelions, many herbs