Now that we have our beautiful annuals tucked into containers and gardens it is time to take care of them. Even those plants you have taken home, but haven’t gotten around to planting yet, but just had to have. All plants can benefit from being fertilized. Plants need food to grow and fertilizer is how we provide that food. Nutrients are available in the soil, but often not enough or in a form that is ready for plants to use. When you walk into the store and stand in from of a large shelf full of choices, how do you know what to use?
Fertilizers come in many different types and forms. They are also fertilizers for specific plant types like trees & shrubs, vegetables & tomatoes and all purpose fertilizers too. It can be easy to narrow it down. How often do you want to fertilize? Do you want to use organic or natural products? Our educated staff can also help you make the right choice for you and your plants.
If you don’t want to fertilize often a slow release fertilizer is perfect for you. Osmocote or Miracle Gro Shake ‘n Feed can be applied to the soil and lasts 3-4 months. If you like to fertilize more often, a water soluble fertilizer can be mixed in a watering can and is quickly absorbed into plants once watered.
Organic fertilizers come from natural sources and are slow release with typically lower levels of nutrition than other fertilizers. These fertilizers can also help improve soil. Examples are composted manure, bone meal, fish emulsion and kelp meal.
Synthetic fertilizers are things like Osmocote and Miracle-Gro. These nutrients come from non-living sources are in higher concentration.
Today I will leave you with a few fertilizing tips. More is not better with fertilizer. Too much nitrogen will cause burn on your plants and even kill them. Follow the directions on the package of fertilizer for the types of plants you have. And finally, do not fertilize dry plants. Water the morning or day before fertilizing for best results.