Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Fertilizing in hot weather
To fertilize or not to fertilize.
Hot weather and drought stress plants, adding fertilizer can do even more damage. If you haven’t been watering those plants, trees and shrubs and the soil is very dry, don’t waste your time and money. They won’t be able to absorb the nitrogen so rethink adding fertilizer.
Don’t just leave it on top of the soil. And just don’t fertilize your lawn. Wait until Fall.
If you do see active growth on ornamentals, trees and shrubs, that’s a sign that your plant can accept the fertilizer, however, it would be best to use a water soluble type unless you can incorporate a granular into the ground.
Annual flowers can be fertilized every 2 to 4 weeks since the fertilizer leeches out with each watering.
The University of Minnesota extension says perennial flowers benefit from well-composted manure worked gently into the root zone of your garden plants in early spring before perennials get too large. If you see your perennials struggling, it’s likely due to heat and stress or it’s lacking a nutrient. Get a soil test.
You can also use the Extension’s diagnostic tool. Click on the link above.
Don’t fertilize established trees and shrubs now. Do it in Spring of Fall. Newly planted trees and shrubs benefit from slow-release and natural organic fertilizers incorporated into the backfill soil.
For more information on trees, shrubs and evergreens, click HERE.