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Maintenance > Maintenance Manual > Fertilizing
| There are many schools of thought on the subject of fertilizing the garden. Plants benefit most by being fed during the warm growing season (April-October in our area). Plants are generally healthier if they are a little hungry and thirsty; over fertilization can lead to rank growth that is attractive to destructive insects and is also more susceptible to disease. This new growth can also be damaged by low temperatures in the late fall, winter and early spring.
So, here are two approaches: Minimum Fertilization Program Fertilize in early spring, early summer and early fall. Use a complete, balanced fertilizer, one with Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) as well as trace minerals. The NPK numbers will be the same value or very close. A low dose, slow release fertilizer will be safe and work over a long period of time and the NPK numbers should be 10 or below. Maximum Fertilization Program Feed once a month with the same product description as in the minimum program. I like to go organic whenever possible. Organic fertilizers work well when the soil is warm because these fertilizers need to be broken down by the beneficial microbes in your soil before their nutrients are available to the plants. They do not work during the late fall, winter or very early spring. This is the time of year when most plants naturally take a rest. If you wish to encourage growth during this time of the year you must use chemical fertilizers Some organic fertilizers to try:
Some chemical fertilizers to try:
Dry fertilizers are probably the easiest to use and MUST be watered in immediately to prevent the nitrogen from volatilizing. |
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