Weekly Garden Tip

October 8, 2006

By Gene Joyner, Extension Agent
Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service

Of all the activities gardeners do during the year one of the most important is regular fertilization. Plants that are not maintained in a healthy condition can be subject to disease problems and recover more slowly from insect attacks as well. If you have blooming plants, regular fertilization will encourage heavier bloom production and if you like tropical fruits or citrus, they too respond well to regular fertilizing.

There are many brand name products for plants at your favorite retail garden center and it depends on what product you feel comfortable using as to what you might select. Most stores have knowledgeable sales people that can help you select the right fertilizer products for your landscape, porch, or patio.

If you’re using soluble fertilizers that are mixed with water, remember that they don’t last for a long period and must be applied frequently to get the same benefit as a dry granular product which is put out less often.

For big areas in the landscape fertilizers can be applied with fertilizer spreaders. Turfgrass is a good example. Make sure though that you always apply the product evenly so you don’t have streaks and also don’t apply it too heavily which would burn or injure turfgrass.

In flower beds and shrub areas fertilizer can be hand applied, but again it should be scattered evenly around the plant rather than put in one spot. By spreading it or broadcasting it evenly this allows more roots to come in contact with it and the plants will respond more quickly.

If you have mulched beds and are doing fertilizing, there’s no need to disturb the mulch. Fertilizers will move through mulch without any problem with rain or irrigation.
If you have patio plants or container plants, these can be fertilized with soluble fertilizers every few weeks or you can use time release or slow release products that feed for several months depending on the product selected.

Some plants have fertilizers made specifically for them and one of them would be palms. By using those special fertilizers generally you will get better results. Just follow label directions as to the fertilizer frequency suggested and also the quantity. For acid loving plants there are also acid fertilizers that will do a much better job than non acid fertilizers.

If you have questions about fertilizer selection for ornamental plants of any type, you can get some free advice from the Palm Beach County Extension Service. Dial 233-1750 in the north and central county area or 276-1260 in the south county area.