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Fertilizing while there are still frosts?

CraighBCraighB Posts: 758
in Problem solving

Hi,

For the past month or so I have had shoots and buds forming on my plants in the garden due to the warmer winter we have had. Some of the shoots on my tall phlox are a couple of inches high. I read that when spring growth starts that plants need to be fertilized but my question is should I be fertilizing when we are still having frosts?

Thanks
Craigh

Posts

  • MarineliliumMarinelilium Posts: 213
    I mulch and fertilise in late Feb but I am on S coast. Some fertilisers take longer than others to become 'available' to the plant. Growmore, and other surface tilled fertilisers, need microbes and fungi to breakdown the nutrients so the roots can absorb them. (Foliar feeds in late spring and summer are absorbed almost immediately though to remedy any problems).



    Frosts can strike right up to mid May (and inland on uplands have even seen 'frosty Friday's in June') As a rule of thumb as soon as night temps average 9C in your zone, or the Hawthorn is in blossom, garden is already 'awake' and may want breakfast. : )
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    It's a question of timing as much as anything. I normally don't do anything till late April or early May for the reasons pansyface mentions. Too much rain. However, I did my borders last weekend after they'd  thawed ( after the week of frosts ) and because it's been drier and slightly milder than usual. I also added extra  compost and manure. 

     I may use a bit more B,F&B in late spring early summer if I think it's necessary and I will use a bit of tomato food for flowering plants later in the year . I grow my plants a bit harder than some people might though   image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • CraighBCraighB Posts: 758
    Excellent advice everyone.



    I think I'm being too hasty as I can't wait to get out there image so I am going to wait until this rain slows down a bit!
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