Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The 411 on fertilizing
Did you go plant shopping?
I’m notoriously bad at feeding my plants once I’ve planted them. I add an organic fertilizer when first planted…
So, in that vein, I’m going to help you AND me! Proven Winners, one of the top plant breeders, says it’s really important to feed your container plants. That makes sense, they’re roots can only go so far and get so much!
Since annuals live their entire life in one season, they will bloom bigger and better with more fertilizer treatments. They don’t have the advantage of a perennial that already has a hardy root system.
Always follow package directions OR use less! Never use more. For great blooms, use a 10-20-10 fertilizer. The middle number is phosphorus and is responsible for fruits, blooms and roots.
N = Nitrogen – foliage
P = Phosphorus – blooms/fruits and roots
K = Potassium – overall plant health
If you’ve bought plants for their foliage, then use a fertilizer with more nitrogen, something like a 20-10-10.
Perennials could use a power boost each Spring. To play it safe, you can use a general fertilizer such as a 10-10-10 but cut the dose by half and then fertilize again in early June. I urge you to err on the side of caution so you don’t burn your plants.
Back to annuals…
NOTE: If it’s really hot, DON’T fertilize. You can always top dress your plants as well. Adding compost right on top of the soil works for water retention and gives them some macro and micro nutrients.
