 Fertilizer Plants naturally derive nutrition from the soil, just as we absorb the vitamins we need from the food we eat. Well-balanced soil will provide most of the nutrients plants require, however, fertilizer supplements can improve plant health just as vitamin tablets help correct imbalances in our diet (but just as vitamins can't serve as a substitute for healthy eating, fertilizers alone will not compensate for unbalanced soil conditions).Large trees deplete nutrients in the surrounding soil more quickly and the many trees in our garden looked pretty unhappy until we began improving the soil. Following a winter application of fertilizer mixed with compost, our previously anemic pomegranate showed its gratitude the next season by flowering and fruiting profusely, something it hadn't done before due to the poor soil conditions. The camelias bloomed more and longer than before and, because they were healthier, we didn't have problems with tussock moth caterpillars. When, in what form, and how fertilizer is applied, whether worked into the soil around the base of a tree or spread across a flower bed, depends on the variety of plant and the type of fertilizer - follow the instructions on the package and consult gardening books for details. Most reference books contain descriptions of the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, the main elements plants require for healthy growth, along with iron, manganese, and other elements needed in smaller amounts. Commercially available fertilizers come in an amazing variety of liquid or solid, "organic" or chemical, and fast or slow-acting forms, designed for specific or general purposes. Since neither of us is a biochemist, we've found that it's easiest to discuss our requirements with the staff at local garden shops and follow their recommenda@ions, at the same time reading about the plants in our garden to learn about their specific needs.  The important thing to remember before rushing out to purchase expensive fertilizers is that the simple addition of compost, manure, and other materials to improve the quality of the soil will do much to provide the nutrition plants need. Also, just as ingesting an entire bottle of vitamin C or eating 16oranges at one time would be detrimental to your health, dousing a weak-looking plant with fertilizer in an effort to perk it up will probably produce exactly the opposite effect. Reliance on chemical fertilizers alone will also eventually result in depletion of the soil. Plants take nutrients up slowly and fertilizers, which require time to take effect, should be applied in moderation, according to each plant's seasonal needs. |