Owens Corning

Choosing Fertilizers

Fertilizers for plants are a diet supplement that helps them grow and prosper. These nutrients are taken up by the little cells in root hairs of the plant. They are organic or chemical materials that when combined with the soil nurture healthy plant growth. These nutrients so vital to plant life come in dry or liquid form.

You mix dry fertilizers (granules, powders, crystals and pellets) by spreading them on the soil and then lightly hose them down with water to mix into the soil. There are also slow-release dry fertilizers not activated by water that add nutrients over a longer period of time. Fertilizer stakes and tablets also are available which are driven into the soil surrounding a shrub or tree. These stakes release their nutrients into the soil slowly as they dissolve.

Liquid fertilizers are dissolved in water and applied with a watering can or sprayed from a hose sprayer. Some are applied to the leaves of the plant so nutrients are taken up quickly.

N-P-K: The three numbers found on packages or bags of fertilizers represent the percent of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) the fertilizer contains. For example, 5-10-5 means the fertilizer is 5 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphate and 5 percent potassium with the rest of the mix being filler material. The N-P-K ratio spells out the most important nutrients to plants and a combination of the three is considered a complete fertilizer.

Organic fertilizers

Organic fertilizers such as peat moss, bone meal, limestone and composted materials release naturally as they decompose in the soil and consequently don't harm our rivers and waterways. They are easy to use and readily available. They are usually more expensive than chemical fertilizers but they add more organic matter to the soil which doesn't need continued watering which can be costly.

Two useful organic materials to add to your yard and garden are sphaghum peat moss and humus. Sphaghum peat moss helps the soil store fertilizers and releases them slowly and improves its ability to retain water. To apply you moisten it with water first. Humus is decomposed plant and animal matter that binds soil particles together and helps to aerate the soil.

When should you fertilize?

In general, you want to feed nutrients to planted material when it is growing. Fertilize plants and trees in the spring when putting in new garden beds or landscaping materials. Since organic matter decomposes slowly adding it to soil in the fall is a good idea. The materials has all winter long to decay and enrich the soil.

Whatever type of fertilizer you choose read and follow the directions on the label. Application instructions are usually clearly written with exact amounts suggested for use in various situations. Instructions tell you how and when to apply them for the best results so they're worth following.

Using an organic fertilizer such as Holly-tone (R)as an example the label spells out specific measurements based on pounds (or cups) of the fertilizer in relation to where you're applying it. For example, it suggests that to feed a shrub use one cup per foot of branch spread which gives you a benchmark of how much to apply. For a tree it suggests one pound of Holly-Tone per inch of the trunk diameter.

For fertilizers that require solution with water it's handy to have a gallon bucket and a measuring cup for mixing them together. For fertilizing large areas consider using your garden hose with a hose-end sprayer attachment. Of course the tried and true sprinkling water can works effectively too and is ideal for fertilizing one particular plant or grouping.

Fertilizer tablets and stakes are another option and produce a long lasting source of nutrients to plants and trees by working underground providing nutrients to their feeder roots. It's important to space these stakes or 'spikes' equally around a shrub or tree so the nutrients are evenly distributed. Package instructions on Jobe's Fertilizer Spikes for Evergreens, for example suggest the number of spikes needed for the diameter of the tree.

Read the label on the fertilizer. Some instructions say to add the fertilizer in one application, others suggest smaller doses throughout the season. These instructions are there to give you the best results so heed their words.

Application

The most precise method of applying dry fertilizers is with a push-type garden spreader, also called a drop spreader. This type spreader is ideal for applying fertilizer to large areas. A hand-held broadcast spreader can also be used. This is a plastic container with a crank on its side that spins a dispensing wheel to throw the fertilizer around in a circular pattern. Hand held broadcast spreaders are less expensive than the drop type and can be stored on a shelf. Since spreaders are used only a couple of times a year finding a place to park a drop spreader when its not being used can be a problem if you don't have a storage shed or garage.

Use caution

Always use caution when applying chemical fertilizers. Heed the Warning on the label's instructions and read the entire package, front, sides and back. If it's advised on the "Caution:" section of the label to wash your hands after use, then follow the advise. Always keep fertilizers out of the reach of children and from danger of spilling onto other surfaces.

written by Gene and Katie Hamilton

Back to Home Improvement Preview Lawn And Garden Preview Home Decorating Shopping Center