Fertilizer

Corn Gluten Meal

Q. I have seen corn gluten meal sold as a pre-emergent herbicide. What can you tell me about it?

Preparing Lawn for the Winter

Q. Is there anything I can do now to prepare my turf for the winter?

A.Fall is a good time to improve the health of your lawn and prepare it for winter. There are a number of cultural practices that will help at this time of year.

Fall Lawn Care

Q.  I already fertilized my lawn in the spring. Should I do it again in the fall?

Why is phosphorus, a component of lawn fertilizer, bad for the environment?

Phosphorus is a component of most fertilizers that helps plants to grow. When too much is applied or is applied at the wrong time—such as right before it rains—most of it is washed away and ends up in the local waterways. This type of pollution is called nonpoint source pollution. It causes eutrophication (a reduction of dissolved oxygen in water bodies caused by an increase of minerals and organic nutrients) of rivers and lakes. This reduced level of oxygen in water ends up suffocating fish.

Fertilizing trees and shrubs

Q: How often should I fertilize the roots of my trees and shrubs?

A: As a general rule, it is not necessary to use synthetic fertilizers for trees and shrubs unless the plants exhibit a nutrient deficiency. Good soil nutrition and a two-inch layer of compost, such as leaf mulch, placed around your trees and shrubs on a yearly basis should be sufficient for good plant health.

Fall Care for Vegetable Gardens

Q. When I clean up my vegetable garden this fall, should I add any amendments to the soil?

When to Fertilize Tulip Bulbs

Q. For the best spring flower display, when should I fertilize my tulip and daffodil bulbs?

A. To produce the maximum number of top-quality spring flowers, tulips and daffodils require care first in fall, at planting time, and then again in spring.

At both of these times, gardeners can enrich the soil by adding a couple of inches of organic compost as well as synthetic fertilizer.

Enriching Soil with Manure

Q. I would like to enrich my garden soil this spring and wonder about using manure on my flower beds.

Growing tips for Daffodils (Narcissus)

Q. I have many varieties of Narcissus in my garden and some are not blooming as well as they used to. What can I do to help?

A. There are several reasons why flowering bulbs will produce foliage but few flowers:

Ivy Topiary

Q. I received a lovely ivy topiary for the holidays and need some watering and fertilizing information.

Fish Emulsion

Q. What is fish emulsion?

A. Fish emulsion is an organic condensed liquid derived from fish solids and fresh fish remains. It retains many of the micro- and macro-nutrients present in live fish and, as such, is used as an all-purpose, low-dosage fertilizer for most types of plants. It is usually found in a 4-1-1 or 5-1-1 ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus to potassium. Because of its low nutrient composition, it can be used along with other fertilizers, if necessary.

Fertilizing Trees and Shrubs

Q. Is it necessary to regularly fertilize my trees and shrubs? If so, how often should it be done?

Fertilizing Lawns in Fall

Q. What are the current recommendations for fertilizing lawns in fall?

Recommended Fertilizers

Q. What are the recommended fertilizers for different garden plants today?

A. Whether it’s your lawn, a mature oak or a perennial border, it’s wise to refrain from adding any amendment to soil before having a soil test. Most Midwest soils contain high levels of potassium and phosphorus and don’t require additional amounts. Take cues from your plants. If plants grow poorly, are late to leaf out or bloom minimally, perhaps they could use extra nutrition.

Synthetic vs. Natural Fertilizer

Q: What is the difference between a synthetic and a natural fertilizer?

Fertilizer for Aquatic Garden

Q. What is the recommended fertilizer for a small aquatic tub garden?

A. A balanced formula of 10-10-10 should satisfy the needs of the grasses as well as any flowering lily or lotus in your tub. Slow-release fertilizer tablets are quick and easy. They also help to prevent the accumulation of algae, which can be a problem with granular fertilizers.

Manure Tea Fertilizer

Q. I understand that a wonderful organic fertilizer for my vegetable garden is manure tea. How do I make this brew, and how much do I use on my crops?

Using Epsom Salts to Fertilize Roses

Q. My neighbor puts epsom salts in the soil around his rose bushes instead of fertilizer. Is there any advantage to this?

When to Fertilize Bulbs

Q. For the best spring flower display, when should I fertilize my tulip and daffodil bulbs?

A. To produce the maximum number of top-quality spring flowers, tulips and daffodils require care first in fall, at planting time, and then again in spring. At both of these times, gardeners can enrich the soil by adding a couple of inches of organic compost as well as synthetic fertilizer.

Caring for Container Plants

Q. What is the best way to take care of plants growing in containers?

Treatment tips for chlorosis

Q. Quite a few trees on my property are chlorotic. Is there a particular fertilizer I can use to eliminate this problem?

Bulb fertilizer

Q. What is the correct fertilizer to use for bulbs?

A. If the bulbs are to be sited in slightly infertile soil, you might add some bulb booster or bone meal on top of the soil after planting. These products have a higher proportion of phosphorus, which is necessary for optimum root development. An alternative would be to sprinkle a 5-10-5 or 10-10-10 fertilizer around the site in spring as the leaves are emerging and then again in fall. Always water in granular fertilizers.

Unususal bulbs for container

Q. I would like to grow some unusual bulbs in containers this summer. What are the basic guidelines to ensure good growth?