As a home gardener, it is easy to overlook fertilizing as part of growing productive plants. If done right, fertilizing can be an effective way to get your plants to grow and produce more.
Fertilize your plants when you want to encourage growth. So, generally in the early spring. After that, the best time depends on both you, the plant, and the fertilizer you have chosen. For the best results, tailor your fertilizing schedule to your garden.
The Best Time to Fertilize
I'm a fan of talking with other local gardeners. If you aren't sure when you want to fertilize, ask others in your area. This could be a friend, neighbor, Facebook group, or extension agent.
They should give you a good idea of when the best time to fertilize is for your area and the plants that thrive there. However, the general answer is when the plants are becoming active, often springtime.
The best time of day to fertilize your plants is in the morning. I like to fertilize mine in the morning right before I water. You can also fertilize in the evening with good results.
Fertilizing your lawn and trees is a bit different. If you are looking to fertilize your lawn it is best to seek out a detailed guide or a local guide.
Fertilizing trees is like fertilizing your garden. However, because of the effort and amount, I like to fertilize trees around three times I year. I usually do it once in spring, once in summer and once in fall. However, I also apply compost to trees throughout the year whenever it is convenient.
If fertilizing worries you, don't do it. Not fertilizing is not detrimental to your garden. Gardening is supposed to be fun, so don't sweat the small stuff.
The Worst Time to Fertilize
Fertilizing your plants promotes growth. So the worst time to fertilize is when the plants are going into dormancy. For many plants, that is in the middle of winter. I stop fertilizing most of my plants a month or two before the first frost.
Also, do not fertilize young plants. Fertilizing plants when they are very young may burn the plants.
It is best to not fertilize new transplants until around two weeks after planting them. This allows them to grow roots and acclimate rather than put nutrients into new growth.
The worst time of day to fertilize is the heat of the day. This is especially important if you are applying liquid fertilizer.
How Often to Fertilize Your Plants
You should feed most garden plants every two to four weeks. The kind of plant and fertilizer may impact that a bit.
Some people recommend using a liquid fertilizer for their indoor plants once a week. I have found that is a bit too much for most of my plants, especially my succulents. Ideally, you can watch your plants and know when they are telling you they need to be fertilized. That said, it doesn't hurt to have a schedule and adjust as needed.
I like to set a fertilizer schedule for each plant depending on its needs. For most plants that means I pick a day of the month to fertilize. For me, that is often the third Saturday of the month.
I like the structure of it and how streamlined it is. I only have to pull out my supplies once a month or so and get it all done in one sweep.
Like with most things in the garden, there is usually not a one-size-fits-all solution. Experiment and find a system that works for you and your unique garden.
How to Fertilize Your Plants
How you should fertilizer depends on the kind of fertilizer you are using. Common types include water-soluble, granular, and fertilizer spikes.
Water-soluble fertilizers are taken in quickly by the roots but require frequent application. Water-soluble fertilizers are popular for indoor plants since they are often odorless.
Granular fertilizers release slowly and work best when placed slightly below the soil. Because they feed the plant over time they do not need frequent application.
Fertilizer spikes are very easy to use but vary a lot when it comes to application. For specific instructions you need to see the fertilizer's packaging. I particularly like fertilizer spikes since they are pre-measured. However, each kind will have a certain number needed depending on plant size.
Make sure to read the application instructions for more detailed directions.
Choosing a fertilizer
When picking a fertilizer it is best to look for one with an NPK value that suits the needs of your plants.
For young plants a fertilizer with a high nitrogen (N) value is ideal to give them a good start. However, as the plants grow they need to switch to a more personalized fertilizer.
Picking between water-soluble, granular or fertilizer spikes is about preference and convenience. As long as the fertilizer delivers the nutrients your plants need to thrive, any type is fine.
If you are fertilizing indoor plants you should also consider odor. Many fertilizers come with some odor that may attract bugs. If that is a concern choose an odorless fertilizer or one marked for indoor use.
Compost can also be a fertilizer as they deliver valuable nutrients to the plants. However, compost feeds the soil rather than directly feeding the plants. So compost usually has slow but long-term results.
Spring is coming! Do you usually fertilize your plants, or go without? Why or why not?