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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Q. DO MY PLANTS NEED FERTILIZER, AND IF SO, WHAT SHOULD I USE?A. This is a very broad and relatively complex subject, but we'll approach it as simply as possible. When it comes to cultivated plants we say , yes, feed your plants, especially those you expect a lot from like flowering "colorspot" annuals and vegetables. Though plants have their own ability to make food for themselves, we generally expect more from them than what they would do in their native environments. This said, we suggest when it comes to consumables, like veggies, feed the soil on an annual basis at least and try to avoid synthetic sources. Many new gardens may have very "hungry" soil and may not be capable of providing enough nutrients the first season or so, in this case you may have to supplement with synthetics like soluable fertilizers (Miracle Grow or Peter's, types you mix with water), or a balanced, slow released pellet (like Osmocote.) Or a combination of the two works well, though we do suggest moving away from those synthetic sources and using more natural sources as time goes on. A soil test is a must in the beginning, even if you just have your N-P-K done and the pH. There are many good, balanced, natural fertilizers available, your local nursery can be helpful in this department. Generally speaking natural fertilizers feed the soil which in turn feeds the plant though at a much slower rate, in contrast to synthetic sources which only feed the plant and can be very short lived. Slow released, synthetic fertilizers are great for several months but when they're gone, you will notice the difference in the vigor of your plants within weeks. So in situations like containers, or pots where potting soil is used (which generally has no residual fertilizer in it,) and you want lots of performance, we say go for the gusto! Use a 3 to 4 month balanced fertilizer like Osmocote(14-14-14) at planting time and supplement with a soluable plant food once a month or so, and always use the exact amount reccommended on the package, more is not better, as matter of fact, over applying any fertilizer can result in the plant's death. Cultivated plants in the landscape can also
benefit from annual feeding, especially if your soil is far from perfect. Application
in most cases should be done in late winter or as reccommended for a particular
plant, this way the rains can take it down to the roots. Generally you need
to pay attention the the N-P-K and the type of plant you're feeding. If you
want nice
green foliage, apply something higher in the"N" (like 15-10-10).
For your flowering plants, you need something higher in the middle letter for
a
good
phosphorus source (like 10-15-10) . As mentioned earlier, this is a very specific
science and we highly suggest before adding anything to your soil, you read
up on it or seek professional help and always read the label of what your buying.
Don't be fooled by the miriad of name brands out there, always look for the
three
numbers representing the N-P-K (the major elements for plant growth) and by
law this and the source from which they are derived must be on the label. Many
established
plants just appreciate a liitle compost around them annually, at the dripline
not up around the crown, roots feed and drink at their new tips not at the
crown! |
Shortcuts to FAQ: Sustainability |
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