How to use compost on a mulched area?

Question

I had issues with cats and squirrels eating or pooping on all my flowers, so I decided to put landscaping fabric and mulch down around all my flowers. I now want to fertilize for the winter and don't know how to go about it. I bought compost for my newly planted peonies and have tons left over. If I can't fertilize with compost, can I use liquid fertilizer?

I live in zone 5, have roses, clematis, peonies and two butterfly gardens. Thanks for any and all advice!

Answer 1

Yeah on using Compost! You will want to consider using it at the same time as you re mulch. If it is very fine, then consider raking it into the turf, especially in areas of concern. If it is woody, then I would suggest mixing it with your mulch now, as you would be re-mulching in Spring. If you aren't opposed to a getting dirty, you can make your own Liquid fertilizer by filling a bucket a third the way with compost and the rest with water. Let it sit overnight, and vola! This way makes a weak 'tea'. Here is a better way, but more involved. Compost Tea is far superior to liquid fertilizers and is beneficial to the environment and to environmentally sound businesses. Thank you, and Good Luck!

Answer 2

Too bad about all that compost--I can't think of an easy way to get it under the landscape fabric. With homemade compost, you could make 'compost tea' and water with that. Not sure if this would work as well with commercial compost, which often has high amounts of wood by products.

Although I make and use compost, if I had landscape fabric tucked up tight against my plants, I would just use liquid fertilizer or the fertilzer stakes you can pound into the ground.

Answer 3

As you have used a weed mat under your mulch, I think it would be too hard to use the compost you have talked about.
Using a liquid fertiliser would be fine for the plants you are talking about, however you could also use pelleted forms of organic fertiliser as well. They react to water and will be washed into the soil profile to feed your plants.
Roses especially like pelleted chicken manure, but all the plants you have on your list will too. Beware they will have an odour, but this will disappear after a few days from application.