Hello, friends!
Last week, I wrote about how you could be sabotaging your own garden by pruning improperly. This week, I’d like to talk about another common pitfall that, despite your best intentions, could be doing more harm than good: improper fertilization.
All plants require nutrients to survive and thrive, and soil naturally contains many of these. But the truth of the matter is that most of the time, supplemental fertilizer applications will be necessary.
But with all the product choices available, and different ratios listed on each package, buying a fertilizer isn’t always as straightforward as it might seem.
When shopping for a fertilizer, refer to the three-number nutrient ratio on the package; it will look something like 10-10-10, 5-10-5 or 8-4-8. The first number indicates the package’s percentage of nitrogen, which directs plants to put their energy into producing green, leafy growth; the second number refers to phosphorus, which directs the plant to focus on growing roots, fruits and flowers; and the third denotes potassium, which works to use the plant’s energy to boost the overall health of the plant. So, basically, fertilizer is a tool that allows you to manipulate what you’d like your plant to do.
When my clients ask for help with otherwise healthy plants that don’t flower or fruit, one of the first questions I ask is whether they’ve fertilized (and with what) or whether the plant is situated near a lawn that has been fertilized. Too much nitrogen (even if applied to a nearby lawn) will force plants to grow large and lush — but at the expense of flowers and fruit. Many times, that’s the culprit.
Slow and steady fills the vase
Most often, slow-release fertilizers are best. Although often more expensive than their fast-release counterparts, slow-release products save money in the long run, as they deliver nutrients over a prolonged period (as opposed to all at once, with excess wasted, washed away and a potential threat to ground water) and don’t need to be reapplied on a regular basis. They aren’t leached out of the soil by rain (or watering), and they don’t risk burning plants.
Nevertheless, there is a place for quick-release products, such as when swift action is required to save a plant from a nutrient deficiency. In those cases, the nearly overnight improvement imparted by these products can seem like, well, a miracle.
Plants growing in containers do not have access to naturally occurring soil nutrients, but are reliant on what the gardener provides, so supplemental fertilizer is essential. Mix a slow-release, granular product into your potting mix at planting time. Then apply a water-soluble fertilizer once a week to replenish what the plant has used.
Exceptions: Most established trees and shrubs don’t typically require supplemental nutrients, unless they show signs of stress. And most herbs don’t need fertilizer at all.
Photo by Neslihan Gunaydin/Unsplash
📬Question of the week
Hi, Jessica: I purchased a very full houseplant in a very small, about 3-inch, pot from a local nursery. They told me it could grow in that sized pot for two years. When should plants be transplanted into larger pots? — Diane Cavallaro
Dear Diane: You don’t say what type of plant you have, so I can’t specifically say how often it should be repotted (some plants grow faster than others, while some, like ficus, African violet, peace lily, and spider, jade and snake plants, among others actually appreciate being a bit pot-bound to avoid their heightened risk of root rot.)
Two signs that will always indicate it’s time to move your plant to a larger pot are the presence of roots growing through the drainage hole at the bottom of the planter, or roots pushing the plant up and out of the container. In the latter scenario, you may find soil outside the pot.
Regardless of plant type, early spring, before the start of the growth season, is usually the best time to repot houseplants. Just don’t ever move up more than one size on the pot — or a 2-inch increase in container diameter — at a time.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash
💡If you do one thing this week…
Store patio furniture, or at least stack chairs and close umbrellas that could be lifted by wind and cause damage.
🌱📅Have you ordered your 2021 gardening calendar yet?
This is not an ordinary calendar. It’s actually a gardening and plant-care guidebook in calendar’s clothing. Every daily box contains a little nudge from me to you: a timely chore or tip to keep your garden on track all year long.
📧Send me your feedback!
I welcome your comments and suggestions, so please send them along — as well as any topics you’d like to see covered and questions you’d like answered in the Q&A section.
If you’re sending photos of your garden, please include your full name and the name of anyone depicted, your hometown, details about your plant or garden, the name of the person who took the photo, and a sentence granting permission for its use in this newsletter and archives.
🦃👪Wishing you and all your loved ones a wonderful, safe and healthy Thanksgiving!
Until next week, stay safe. Be well. And always keep your mind in the dirt. —Jessica
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