I was thinking of puting a good compost around the base of the plants. Some people advise the fertilizer spikes. I would think that the compost would seep in over the winter and into the spring with the rains.
2006-11-21 08:32:22 · 7 answers · asked by whitejd43 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
I personally would not fertilize for the Wintertime. This is the time when most plants go into dormancy and it could do more harm than intended good to the plants.
2006-11-21 10:36:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Generally, plants do not require fertilizer during the winter. As a matter of fact, it's a good idea to stop fertilizing them in the late fall to permit them to prepare for their dormant period in the winter. The compost is a good idea and will protect the roots during the winter and provide some nutrients which will be available in the spring. The compost actually works more as a soil amendment to improve the tilth and friability of the soil (two of my father's favorite words) - look them up! Fertilize and then
work the compost into the soil in the spring. Check with your local nursery to be sure you are using the correct analysis fertilizer for your specific plants. You also have the option of liquid, granular, liquid, or spike fertilizer.
2006-11-21 20:47:15 · answer #2 · answered by popcorn 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I absolutely agree with Dan G. You really shouldn't fertilize past July or early August. Plants, shrubs and trees have a very specific cycle that they must go through, and fertilizing at an inappropriate time could do a great deal of damage in the following year or two.
My greatest advice is to please specify your area so helpful people can give you the best advice available in your zone. Gardeners love to help eachother, but we truly need the specifics to be the best use to you.
Good Luck!
2006-11-21 20:46:03 · answer #3 · answered by Teenytime 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Compost in and of itself does'nt have much nutrient content but will help loosen a hard soil or help sandy soils holh moisture. The spikes placed in the ground this fall will release slowly and the nutrients will be there when the plants start growing in the spring.be thx
2006-11-21 16:46:14 · answer #4 · answered by Salvador A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I normally get a bag of 8-8-8 and lightly spread it in my flower beds and around my bushes. the spikes work well too. compost is fine too but it can have weed seeds depending on the type and where you get it..
2006-11-21 16:43:02 · answer #5 · answered by TC_43 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do not fertilize bushes or shrubs now, wait until the Spring when there is new growth.
2006-11-21 21:19:00 · answer #6 · answered by Goldenrain 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most mature trees and shrubs do not need additonal fertilizer. See link
2006-11-21 18:39:25 · answer #7 · answered by oakhill 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋