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Before planting it is recommended that you have
a soil analysis performed. It is easier to
correct soil imbalances at this time.
Fertilizing before planting is usually not
necessary unless your soil analysis reports show
that the soil is lacking in some nutrients. If
you feel that you need to fertilize be sure to
use a complete fertilizer. The best method for
this type of fertilizing is the broadcast
method. This spreads the fertilizer over the top
of the soil. This should then be mixed with the
soil by either tilling or raking. After it is
mixed you should water thoroughly to help evenly
distribute the fertilizer.
Fertilizing when planting is one of the things
that you can do to help a plant respond well to
its new environment. You want to use a slow
release formula that is high in phosphorus.
Phosphorus is the main ingredient that helps in
the development of a healthy root system. Mix
the fertilizer thoroughly with the soil and
place some in the hole under the plant. The rest
of the mixture should be used to backfill. Never
put the fertilizer directly on the roots of the
plant.
There are a few different ways that you can
fertilize after planting.
- Sidedressing- When fertilizing using this
method you need to move the soil from around
the plant without damaging the roots. Place
your fertilizer in the soil and then cover up
again. Water thoroughly to distribute the
fertilizer.
- Fertigation- This method is using a liquid
or water-soluble fertilizer through watering.
This is not the best method as it has
substantial run-off. Using a slow trickling
stream of water will help get the fertilizer
much closer to the root system.
- Soil Injection- There are many systems
available today for this type of
fertilization. Most are called root feeder
systems. This type of fertilization system
requires the use of a probe to penetrate the
soil. When making the holes with the probe you
need to be careful not to scar or puncture any
roots that are near. Once you have made your
hole with the probe, then a liquid fertilizer
is injected into them.
- Fertilizer Spikes- This may be the easiest
and widely used method for fertilizing small
garden plants. It requires no preparation or
clean up. The spikes are placed in the ground
at the plants drip line. The best thing to
remember with the spikes is that a plants
feeder root lay further out from the plant
than other roots, so place the spikes where
they will be most beneficial to the plant. A
fertilizer spike, when placed in the ground,
will release nutrients into the soil when they
become wet.
- Direct Injection- This method of
fertilization is only recommended to be
applied by a trained professional. It requires
some extensive knowledge of plants to be done
correctly. The fertilizer must be injected at
the right location on the inside of a tree or
plant. When applying it is possible to
penetrate too far and will damage the vascular
system of the plant, causing damage or even
death. Also, the use of this type of system
will leave an open wound on the plant
requiring care and caution to avoid disease
and insect infestation.
- Foliar- Foliar fertilization is applying a
liquid or water-soluble fertilizer directly to
the leaves of a plant. When applied during
daylight hours it has the greatest chance of
being absorbed due to a higher absorption rate
of a plant during that time. This fertilizer
is to be used as a boost for your plants
rather than a complete fertilizer. Frequent
applications are necessary for your plant to
benefit from this type of fertilizer.
When and how much you fertilize your plants
is also an important thing to keep in mind to
keep your plants healthy. Fertilizing yearly
with a complete fertilizer is recommended for
plants in normal conditions. Light or sandy
soils may need a second application of
fertilizer. The best time to fertilize your
plants is in autumn before the soil freezes. The
next best time would be between February and
April. It is not recommended that you fertilize
after the beginning of July because this will
delay the necessary adjustments plants make for
the winter months. |
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