Fertilizing like an old lady

I am usually floating around our company sites in my capacity as senior supervisor. And it can be quite entertaining. It also gives me a chance to observe different landscapes and catalogue the various hits and misses.

When we did some bedwork at a site last week, I observed fertilizer piles at the bases of all rhododendrons. What’s wrong with the picture?

This looks like the work of overzealous gardening ladies. I know this because this particular site is populated with them. Every week they pile on extra requests.

The problem, of course, is that the fertilizer should be spread evenly inside the drip line. The definition of drip line is: the area defined by the outermost circumference of a tree canopy where water drips from and onto the ground. I drew a line in the soil for blog post purposes.

Roots extend into the drip line circle and evenly spread fertilizer in the drip line has a better chance of being utilized. Let’s avoid fertilizer piles at the bases of shrubs.

Not growing crops

Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott writes* that the usual N, P, K fertilizer formulations (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) come from agriculture where they were depleted with crop growing. But our landscapes are permanent plantings: lawns, trees, shrubs, perennials, ground covers and bulbs. We aren’t growing them so we can consume them.

Of the previously mentioned N, P, K trio, only Nitrogen runs low in garden soils in summer. This makes sense because plants are actively growing and using nitrogen to fuel that growth.

Also, trees, shrubs and perennials naturally slow down in summer.

Avoid N, P, K

It’s a much better idea to skip the usual N, P, K bags that are for sale everywhere. Instead, get a soil test done so you have a better idea of what’s missing from your own garden. There is no need to guess.

Then buy fertilizer that fits your needs. And remember, don’t pile it up at the bases of your plants. Spread it evenly inside drip lines.

* Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott “How plants work“, p.77. I highly recommend this book.