When to fertilize in zone 5?

Question

When should I plan my spring application of garden fertilizer in zone 5? I see some of my spring bulbs beginning to pop up, but I also realize we are a long away until our typical planting date of mid-May.

Answer 1

What kind of fertilizer are you using? If it's a pre emergent, then I put it down when the Forsythia blooms. I'm in between zone 5 and 6, my forsythia is blooming now, so I followed the directions on the bag and spread it down two days ago. A general fertilizer without weed killer can be put down almost anytime. Follow the instructions on the bag. Most need to be watered in well after application, so wait until a good rain is in the forecast. I have even spread fertilizer on the lawn when there is still snow covering the garden and lawn.

Answer 2

Zone 5, michigan here. I fertilize on the first and fifteenth of each month of May, June, July and August. It's the only way I can remember.