Fertilizing Your Garden!
No matter the size of your garden, the implements you use, or the phenomenal H Potter products that may be around your home & garden, your soil and garden space will define how successful your gardening endeavor will be. To take care of your soil, a proper fertilization plan and schedule does wonders. In this article we are going to walk through some of the practicalities of fertilizing your soil, including when and how often to fertilize, along with several other useful tips for garden care.
Why You Should Fertilize Your Garden
Before we jump into how and when you will fertilize your garden, let’s take a minute to talk about why fertilizing your garden matters. Like any living organism, plants require a variety of nutrients to not only grow, but to thrive. While the soil in your backyard probably has the barebones for survival that these plants need, it often does not have the right amount of nutrients at the right time of year to make sure your plants are not only surviving, but thriving. Fertilizers help to fill that gap, like a multi-vitamin for your garden, fertilizing will develop strong root systems, lush foliage, and plenty of flowers, veggies, or fruit.
Fertilizing will develop strong root systems, lush foliage, and plenty of flowers
Now that we understand the importance of fertilizing your soil, we should take a look at the essential ingredients that might be in your Fertilizer. Most fertilizers will contain these three nutrients:
Nitrogen: For growth, promotes greenery and foliage
Phosphorus: Encourages development of a strong root system and brighter flowering
Potassium: Increases the overall plant health in your soil, and helps your plants resist disease
Oftentimes you will find these nutrients listed on fertilizer packages in a ratio, along with any other nutrients in the fertilizer. We suggest taking a look at the list of ‘ingredients’ to get a better read on what you are putting in your garden, try to stay away from harsh chemicals, even though essential or natural nutrients can go in your garden.
Seasonal Fertilizing Scheduling:
Springtime: Wake Up Your Garden
As the weather warms up or the snow starts to melt, your perennials will start to emerge from their winter sleep, while the annuals you just planted will be ready for a quick boost. Help all the plants in your garden by applying a more balanced fertilizer to your garden beds or any area where you have planted. The balanced fertilizer will provide the necessary nutrients to support new growth and ensure that your plants start the growing season off strong. For primarily vegetable gardens, consider using a fertilizer high in phosphorus to encourage a healthy root system and abundant flowering in the coming weeks or months.
Early Summer:
By the mid-spring and early summer your plants should be entering a mature stage of growth. At this time, consider adding some soil fertilizer that contains a higher nitrogen content to promote your plants growth. For your flowering plants, consider adding a fertilizer that is slightly higher in phosphorus to increase the blooms and fruit showing up in your plants.
Late Summer: Fall Preparation
As the summer begins to come to a close, your plants are going to need some different supplements to help them reach their full growth capacity. At this point in the growing cycle, a higher concentration of potassium helps your plants stay healthy, while doing a better job withstanding stress. For vegetable gardens, add a fertilizer that supports root health and fruit quality.
Fall: Getting Ready For the Cold
As the summer months wind down, any fertilizer strategy should center around those that strengthen the development of the root system to improve the overall health and resilience towards the cold. Preparing for the winter is the name of the game here, as the cold months will be a time of dormancy in your garden.
Additional Tips for Successful Fertilizing
Test Your Soil: Before applying any fertilizer, it’s wise to test your soil. This will help you understand which nutrients your soil may be lacking and avoid over-fertilization.
Follow Instructions: Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the fertilizer package to avoid applying too much or too little.
Consider Organic Options: Organic fertilizers can be a great choice for those who prefer natural methods. They release nutrients slowly and improve soil health over time.
Water Wisely: After applying fertilizer, water your garden thoroughly. This helps the nutrients reach the root zone and prevents them from washing away.
While using fertilizer throughout the year may not be the perfect solution for every gardener’s needs, consider helping the soil in your garden (and consequently your plants) by adding fertilizer at least once during the year. Hopefully this short guide has been helpful as you continue your gardening adventure.