t of nutrients to start.  If you don't add nutrients then the plants can use up all the nutrients in the soil before the growing season is over.  Every 3 weeks, I water my containers with a compost tea to keep them healthy.  You can also mix in some manure or compost periodically throughout the growing season.

More is not better.  If there is too much nitrogen and other nutrients in the soil, your plants will not flower and may grow in spurts.  Regular watering and feeding of your containers will keep them thriving all season.   There are time release synthetic fertilizers you can use as well.  I don't recommend using them in the garden, but if you are not willing to go organic in a container, they are an option. I think that over the next decade we will continue to learn that organics that contain natural microbes and micro-nutrients are the best option for our plants.