Tips on Using Fertilizer

One of the most repeated "urban myths" is that you should not fertilize new plants. The invention of timed-release fertilizers now makes this old rule completely false. Underfertilization is now the most frequent mistake made by most gardeners.

Years ago, it was good practice not to fertilize newly planted tree or gardens, since there was a risk of "burning" the new plants with fertilizers or manures that could generate ammonia.

Today, the plants that you buy generally come from a large wholesale nursery, where the plant has been fed a water-soluble fertilizer every day. The fertilizer levels used are hundreds of times higher than what you find in normal topsoil or potting soil. This causes wonderful top growth, but allows the plant to grow very quickly without a well-developed root system. The average gardener then takes this plant home, and puts it in the ground or in common potting soil (and is told not to fertilize it) and wonders why it won't continue to bloom or grow.

Landscape Depot strongly recommends the use of a good, timed-release fertilizer, to be added at the time of planting. This will allow the plant to grow necessary roots while the fertilizer levels slowly drop back to levels found in normal soil, and will allow the plant to smoothly transition to its new location. We recommend fertilizers such as Osmocote© (Scotts) or Colorstar (Nelson Plant Food). Follow the directions on the label, but remember that the fertilizer will only last about half as long as advertised since the soil temperatures on the Gulf Coast are much higher than the US average. Repeated use is especially necessary for flowering plants and for vegetables.