Fertilizing Freight Train
Spring!! It’s in full bloom all around us!! This month is where I really come alive. Give me a warm day, a little sun, and watch me GO! Similar to the plants you’ve transplanted to your garden.
Last month I talked about transplanting. (If you missed it check it out here.) This month you will continue to transplant and as the days warm up you will begin to see your plants take off! As they grow, it’s time to consider the other needs of your plants. Sun, soil, and water are the top 3, but there’s also FOOD. The sun might give me energy and water keeps me alive, but if I don’t eat, I won’t be as strong and “produce” as much. Your plants feel the same way…hey wait, maybe I’m a plant?!
Fertilizing your plants helps keep them strong, healthy, and producing. It seems straightforward, just feed your plants some fertilizer and they’re good to go! Stop, hold up, pause…that’s a no there eager beaver. There are a few things to consider before hopping on the fertilizing freight train.
Here are just a few tips to help get you started…
Tip # 1 - Fertilizers. There are so many…which one do I choose?! Here are my top 3: fish and seaweed emulsion, worm castings, and compost. These three have worked the best for me. They’re milder fertilizers and unlike granular (applied incorrectly), don’t typically burn the plants. I also prefer these because I can get the compost and worm castings locally. Actually, if you head over to my store, you can order worm castings today!
Tip # 2 - Method. There are different methods to applying fertilizers. From my top 3, I drench my soil with the fish/seaweed combo, the worm castings I typically sprinkle around the base of my plants, and with compost I will either side dress or sprinkle. Side dressing is just digging a small hole beside the plant and placing the compost in the hole.
Tip # 3 - Wait. Wait at least a week before fertilizing your new transplants. Fertilizing too early can burn the roots of your plant. If it’s a directly sown crop, give them a few weeks to establish themselves and grow a bit before fertilizing.
Tip # 4 - Schedule. Get your garden on a schedule. First let’s go over when…it is best to fertilize in the early morning or late evening. What happens to you at high noon in the middle of August? You probably are a bit hot and stressed due to the heat and quite possibly might lash out at a neighbor. Your plants feel your struggle. They too are most stressed during the hottest parts of the day. The next key thing is to schedule a fertilizing day. I typically stick to once/month for fertilizing but each plant can use more or less. It’s important to do a little research and see what works best for the crops you’re growing. Also by placing your garden on a fertilizing schedule, first you’re less likely to forget but more importantly you’re less likely to over fertilize. Yes, you can baby your plants too much. Trust me. I’ve done it. Over fertilizing can actually inhibit the growth, burn the plants, or just produce more foliage…none of which you want!
Tip # 5 - Look it up! Some plants have particular needs. Carrots prefer more potassium and phosphate and no nitrogen as they grow. Tomatoes like a good feeding after they first set fruit. Like each of us, our plants have different needs.
Bonus Tip - Journal and don’t over complicate it. I know fertilizing sounds like a lot to work through, but after a season with a new plant and a little research (or a garden coach consult), you will find what works for each of your plants and can find a routine.
Remember feeding your plants keeps them happy and healthy and with the above tips, you’re sure to find success. Make sure to check out next month’s blog about watering and a few tips on best practices!
Still not sure what to do? Don’t sweat it. Give me a call. By choosing me as your garden coach, you can skip a lot of first-time mistakes and have a beautiful harvest this season!
