You can significantly improve your garden’s overall health and yield by using the right fertilizer, even in challenging weather conditions. To enjoy a bountiful harvest from your home vegetable garden and a lush, colorful flower bed, keep it well-fertilized!
Temperature fluctuations and rainy weather can stress plants, affecting their nutrient uptake and metabolism. Plants may be stunted, small, and fail to produce flowers and fruits. During these times, plants often require additional nutrients to support their growth, repair damaged tissues, and withstand environmental challenges. By applying fertilizers during such periods, gardeners can stimulate root development, ensure plants have a solid foundation to absorb water and nutrients effectively and have good fruit production. Fertilizers, especially those containing phosphorus, are crucial for root growth and establishment, as well as flower and fruit production.
If you notice your plants are yellowing, it can be any or a combination of factors: too much water (rain in our case), not enough sunlight (it’s been abnormally chilly and cloudy!), disease processes related to fungus or insects, and lack of nutrients. Inspect your plants thoroughly for insects and insect damage, powdery mildew, and yellow and brown spots for signs of fungal infections. If you’re unsure, bring us a sample so we can look at it with you and recommend the best course of action.
Generally, plants growing in pots require more fertilizing than those in the ground. Their volume of soil is limited and the nutrients can be depleted quickly simply with regular watering. Keep them growing vigorously with routine weekly fertilization.
Next, choose a fertilizer for your plants. If you have several blooms and fruits setting, go with something with higher phosphorus in the solution (the middle number should be higher than the first on the package; 5-7-3). If you need to focus on more vegetative growth and greening, select a fertilizer with a high nitrogen formulation (the first number on the package; 6-4-4). Don’t know? You can’t go wrong with an all-purpose fertilizer. Water soluble, liquid concentrates, and granular formulas are available, including organic options.
Come in to see our expansive selection of fertilizers and let us help you choose the right ones for you. Take photos of any issues you have in your yard so we can troubleshoot along with you!
