Flowering plants can be the pride of any garden. All gardeners know that a fertilizer may be needed to get the best results. Whether you choose a chemical or organic fertilizer, it is essential to know how and when to apply it and what else your plants might need. Experiment, ask for advice and, if necessary, make mistakes. If fertilized correctly, your flowers will thank you!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use the fertilizer on the flowers
Step 1. Determine when to fertilize
To determine when to apply the fertilizer it is essential to understand what type of flowers we have in front of us. Is it an annual or an evergreen plant? Adult or young? This information will help you make the best decision.
- Fertilize the soil during preparation, whether it is annuals or new sowings.
- Fertilize evergreen plants and ornamental lawns as soon as they start growing again in spring.
- The bulbs should be fertilized as soon as they start to grow.
- Roses should be fertilized in May and no later than July, to avoid new growth in autumn or winter.
Step 2. Water the plants
Before applying the fertilizer it is very important to give the plants plenty of water - but without overdoing it.
The soil must be a little damp when you apply the fertilizer. If the roots are dry, they may burn
Step 3. Add organic fertilizer to the soil
The simplest way to apply fertilizer is to spread it over the surface of the planting soil. Natural fertilizers take longer to absorb into the soil and release nutrients into the soil. If possible, it is therefore advisable to apply them a few weeks before sowing.
Step 4. Apply granular fertilizer
Granular fertilizers should be applied by spreading them directly on the ground or using a fertilizer. To ensure that the fertilizer is distributed in the best possible way, loosen the soil a little with a rake. Being long lasting, this type of fertilizer can stay in the soil for up to 9 months.
Step 5. Apply liquid or water-soluble fertilizer
Water-soluble fertilizers are composed of a powder that dissolves in water. This type of fertilizer can also be applied to flowers: spread it directly on the soil and plants. Water-soluble fertilizers stay in the soil for 2-3 weeks.
Step 6. Pay close attention to annual plants
Annual flowers (i.e. those that complete their life cycle within a season) need more fertilizer than evergreen plants (i.e. those that sprout every year).
Method 2 of 3: Choose a Synthetic or Organic Fertilizer
Step 1. Evaluate different forms
The first thing to do is to decide whether to use an organic fertilizer or a synthetic one. Both have strengths.
- Natural fertilizers are composed of organic material. Some examples are: compost (homemade or purchased), manure, cottonseed, bone meal, fish emulsion, liquid algae, milk and molasses.
- Synthetic fertilizers, on the other hand, are found in various forms: granular, water-soluble powders and concentrated liquids.
Step 2. Evaluate the short-term and long-term costs
Buying organic fertilizer can be very expensive (contrary to what it would cost to make your own compost). In the same quantities, a synthetic fertilizer could have a lower cost. However, a natural fertilizer releases more nutrients and more slowly over time, feeding your plants longer and improving soil quality.
Step 3. Choose a synthetic fertilizer if you are interested in more immediate results
Within a day of application (especially in the case of water-soluble fertilizers) you will notice surprising results. If your plants need immediate action, a synthetic fertilizer is the right choice.
Step 4. Choose a natural fertilizer to improve the quality of the soil
Natural fertilizers act slowly because they do not just provide nutrients to plants, but improve the quality of the soil from the inside. Thanks to this property you will need to fertilize less frequently.
Step 5. Consider a combination of synthetic and natural fertilizers
Natural fertilizers act on the soil in the long term but have a very slow release. You could use a natural fertilizer and occasionally a synthetic one to give your plants extra help with a water-soluble fertilizer.
Method 3 of 3: Choose the Right Product
Step 1. Read the labels
If you have decided to buy a fertilizer, make sure you have read the label carefully. Make sure you have purchased a product that can be used on flowers or flowering plants. If you need to fertilize specific flowers (e.g. roses), look for a suitable product.
Step 2. Choose an N-P-K fertilizer
The best fertilizers contain nitrogen (N), which helps growth; phosphorus (P), which helps roots and flower production; potassium (K), which gives vigor and resistance to disease. A fertilizer package must have a three-part number (for example 5-10-10), which indicates the percentage in which these micronutrients are present.
Step 3. Choose the phosphorus for the flowers
Plants that produce a lot of flowers need phosphorus. The presence of this nutrient is indicated by the central number. If, for example, you find "10-20-10" written, it means that the fertilizer you have chosen contains a high dose of phosphorus, which will help your plants to bloom.
Step 4. Consult an expert
Asking for advice from an expert who can suggest the best product in order to save time and money is always a great idea. Contact a gardener, a clerk in a gardening shop or a gardening company.
Step 5. Experiment and fail
The only way to understand which product is best suited to your flowers is to do some tests. Experiment with different options and combinations to find the perfect fertilizer for your plants.
