All Questions
Tagged with fertiliser or fertilizer
343 questions
69
votes
12
answers
115k
views
How do I apply spent coffee grounds as a fertilizer?
I've read that spent coffee grounds work well as a fertilizer. But the methods of application are all over the map. Some indicate using it in compost, others suggest spreading it and broken ...
- 3,026
28
votes
5
answers
7k
views
How should I properly prepare a raised bed vegetable garden?
When building a raised bed for a vegetable garden, what do I need to do to properly prepare the soil? It is going to be mixed with different types of vegetables and herbs that I will rotate out all ...
- 860
24
votes
3
answers
7k
views
How often should I fertilize my lawn?
How often should I fertilize my lawn? Should I follow a certain schedule? I have heard of people fertilizing on around holidays [US: Easter (sometime in April), Memorial day (last week of May), fourth ...
- 365
23
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How and when to plant young grafted fruit tree?
Our backyard is in a Mediterranean climate (Adelaide plains, South Australia) and we've been gifted a young grafted apple tree which has its root ball still wrapped in plastic. It's about 1.3m (4ft) ...
- 4,972
22
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Why is it a problem to use manure as a fertilizing amendment over the long term?
I had my soil tested last fall. As part of the submission I checked the box that said I use manure as a soil amendment / fertilizer.
In the results from the lab, they included a note that said that ...
- 41.9k
21
votes
6
answers
138k
views
Why does my grass have bright green patches?
My yard is about 6 years old (new house). When we put the yard in, the seed was equal parts Fescue, Rye, and Kentucky Bluegrass. We live in NE Ohio.
About 2-3 years ago, we started getting these ...
- 745
20
votes
2
answers
3k
views
My garden soil is devoid of nutrients, how should I improve it this winter?
The garden area in my yard has soil that even the weeds don't particularly love to grow in during the summer. They will make a half hearted attempt in the winter, but it definitely isn't as lush as ...
- 683
19
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Is it worth spreading ash on the vegetable plot?
My grandparents used to spread the ash from the fireplace on the vegetable plot. This was in reasonably large quantities (I mean, not just a thin trail of ash to deter slugs), and was done to "add" to ...
- 9,633
18
votes
3
answers
58k
views
Which plants/trees will benefit from using urine as a fertilizer?
We know that urine can do a plant good. Certain plants (like citrus trees) will absolutely do well if you add urine to their intake.
But urine is very high in nitrogen and could potentially "burn&...
- 1,399
17
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is the difference between compost tea, manure tea, compost leachate and herbal tea?
We have seen several questions recently about compost tea. We have also seen questions about manure tea and at least one question that referred to compost leachate as "compost tea."
What are the ...
- 5,188
17
votes
1
answer
478
views
What are the primary nutrients utilized by plants beyond NPK?
When talking about soil and fertilizers, what are the primary nutrients in addition to NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) that play a major role in plant development?
- 2,332
16
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What do the numbers in the names of indoor liquid fertilizers mean?
I went to pick up some liquid fertilizer for the plant I keep at work and I saw several varieties :
Liquid Growth Indoor Plant 4-12-9 Food;
All Purpose Liquid Concentrate Plant Food 12-4-8 with ...
- 377
16
votes
2
answers
9k
views
Will it kill my potted tree if I use tree fertilizer spikes?
I recently bought some tree fertilizer spikes to feed my potted dwarf kumquat and lime trees. After I got them home, I read the following warning on the side of the box:
NOTE: Never apply within 30" ...
- 3,026
16
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What household wastes can you use to fertilize without composting?
I cannot compost, no room, no permission. My kitchen produces a steady output of used coffee grounds, which is a good slow release nitrogen source (2.3 .06 .6), should not attract pests or transmit ...
- 3,660
16
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How do I maintain a Raspberry plant?
I planted a raspberry cane this spring, and it appears to be doing well, having put out a new cane that is now 5 ft tall (and curving under its own weight.) There is also old growth at the bottom ...
- 845
16
votes
1
answer
3k
views
How do I know if a fertilizer treatment is burning my trees?
I started using fertilizer spikes on my dwarfed citrus trees in small pots. (Details may be found in this question.) As suggested, I used half a spike for each pot and I put the spike as far from ...
- 3,026
15
votes
2
answers
22k
views
How often should I fertilize vegetables?
I only ever add fertilizer after I remove a previous crop and break up the soil a bit, but should I be adding fertilizer to vegetables that take 10 or so weeks to grow, such as zucchini?
How ...
- 6,412
15
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Is charcoal good for use as a soil amendment?
I came across an article the other day on wikipedia about Terra preta. Has anyone used charcoal like this to enhance sandy soil, like we have in Florida? Does this really work, and what is the best ...
- 736
15
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What sort of feeding schedule should I use for pepper plants?
I've been trying to find out about feeding my peppers plants. So far the information I've found is very inconsistent, so I'd like something as definitive as possible.
When should I start feeding my ...
- 2,695
15
votes
2
answers
7k
views
How long does chemically fertilized grass remain poisonous?
Here's my situation: I have a lawn that I've refused to use chemicals on because I have a dog who likes to graze. The lawn is now a mess of weeds and very thin grass. I've tried organic fertilizers ...
- 253
14
votes
8
answers
19k
views
Is spent cat litter an appropriate source of nitrogen for compost?
Is spent cat litter an appropriate source of nitrogen for compost?
The cat litter used is made of recycled paper pellets so is rich in carbon.
It doesn't contain the cat faeces because that is fished ...
- 4,972
14
votes
4
answers
69k
views
Should I use aluminum sulfate (sulphate) to acidify my soil?
It is often recommended online or by nurseries to apply aluminum sulfate to plants like blueberries, rhododendrons, azaleas and to hydrangeas to make the flowers blue. Is this advice I should follow?
- 4,938
14
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How should I treat a frangipani?
I've just potted a frangipani (plumeria) cutting given to me by a friend and since it's not in its natural climate, I'm wondering what conditions it will thrive in? If it matters, I live in a ...
- 533
12
votes
5
answers
15k
views
Miracle Grow, good or bad?
I am a little torn over Miracle grows fertilizer that they sell. Example of what I am talking about here. I have known this stuff to be good because it can supply 24-8-16 (NPK) to plants, so it takes ...
- 2,582
12
votes
1
answer
4k
views
What type of fertilizer should be used on garlic?
This is my third year growing garlic and in the past I've sprayed my plants with a liquid fish and seaweed fertilizer throughout the season. I had also applied a small amount of composted manure in ...
- 1,927
12
votes
2
answers
936
views
How to use banana peel as a fertilizer?
I have heard several times that banana peel can be used as a fertilizer for garden plants (especially so for roses it appears) and verified it with a quick search on the Internet. As it happens, I sit ...
- 221
11
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Dandelions taking over the lawn
My lawn was overrun with dandelions so I've used some Ortho Weed-B-Gon Max and that seems to be killing the dandelions very well. The problem is now my lawn is very sparse with grass. There just wasn'...
- 295
11
votes
1
answer
797
views
Can I just apply less of a higher fertilizer?
I'm wanting to apply 10-10-10 to my blackberries.
10-10-10 and 13-13-13 costs identical for the same quantity bags.
Since those numbers are just percentages, and in this case they are in equal ratios,...
- 835
11
votes
1
answer
3k
views
How much coffee grounds should I add to my compost (and how frequently)?
I have been reading that spent coffee grounds can be used for fertilizer and/or composting and also came across this question on this site. I have a compost pile in the yard that holds roughly two 33 ...
- 1,093
11
votes
1
answer
759
views
Will african violet fertilizer diffuse through clay pots?
I have several african violets in special clay pots. The pots kind of resemble a double boiler, and the lower pot is filled with water, then the upper section, containing the plant, is unglazed on its ...
- 381
11
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How should I choose the correct N-P-K fertilizer values for my plant?
I have a red coleus plant at work that's still growing despite my best efforts. I'm trying to choose the right fertilizer for it, but I'm not sure what I'm looking at when it comes to that sort of ...
- 377
10
votes
5
answers
26k
views
What is the best way to put bonemeal into the soil?
I was suggested to put bonemeal to my chili pepper to make it stronger. However the plant is already there and I've read about bonemeal in the wiki and found out that bonemeal doesn't move by itself ...
- 7,590
10
votes
3
answers
607
views
Managing Cover Crops
I put some fava beans in my vegetable raised bed during the winter months to add nutrients to the soil. The seeds have sprouted and I have some healthy plants growing. Question I have is what next? ...
- 8,014
10
votes
7
answers
3k
views
Why are mineral fertilizers not allowed in organic farming?
Recently I've read an article stating that easy soluble mineral ferilizers are not allowed in organic farming (with a few exceptions).
By that I mean that there are some laws that restrict you from ...
- 1,673
10
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What's the best way to take care of my potted orchid?
I have a phalaenopsis orchid at home. I have not done much to it in terms of taking care other than watering it. The base looks healthy but the top stem has dried up. What care do I need to take to ...
- 8,014
10
votes
2
answers
8k
views
Does urinating at the base of a tree help it grow?
I've been reading about tree fertilizers and urea constantly comes up as a good source of nitrogen for trees. Let's say your dogs always pick the same tree to urinate on every day. Would that tree be ...
- 2,986
10
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How far does a gallon of fish fertilizer go?
I'm using an organic liquid fish fertilizer (3-3-0). The instructions say to dilute 1 Tablespoon in a gallon of water, every two weeks for vegetables. But it isn't clear how many plants this will feed....
- 41.9k
10
votes
2
answers
304
views
What features should I look for in a fertilizer spreader?
I have been asked to purchase a fertilizer spreader for someone as a holiday gift. I'm completely lost as to what features are worth extra money and what features are not. The recipient has an ...
- 201
10
votes
1
answer
259
views
How regularly should I fertilise my bonsai plants?
Is there a need to fertilise my bonsai or should I just stick with replacing the soil once every 18 months to 2 years?
- 6,412
9
votes
6
answers
2k
views
Recommendations for Composting Bin
I want to start composting my yard and kitchen waste and use the compost to fertilize vegetables in my raised bed and some fruit trees I have. Right now I am not doing composting. My options are do ...
- 8,014
9
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Does compost replace fertilizer?
I make compost in my backyard. I also buy fertilizers for vegetable and fruit plants from the big box stores. My question is really when to use compost vs. fertilizer? Can I eliminate the use of ...
- 8,014
9
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Excess Zinc in garden soil
I had the soil in one of my garden beds tested for a wide spectrum of minerals. This bed was originally filled with bought topsoil and mushroom compost, then it was cultivated with parsnips and ...
- 1,442
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Putting fruit tree branches in compost
I just started composting. In addition to putting lawn clippings, kitchen waste and dry leaves what else can I put in? Is it okay to put branches of trees (fruit, olive, etc) in the compost?
- 8,014
9
votes
5
answers
40k
views
Are chemical fertilizers poisonous to people or animals?
I've been seeing a lot of conflicting information online about chemical fertilizers being poisonous and was wondering if there are any trustworthy sources of information to definitely answer this ...
- 4,938
9
votes
3
answers
14k
views
How much fertilizer do I need for my vegetable garden?
Today I received the results for my garden soil test, which show that I have only 5 ppm of nitrogen.
So my research (here, and elsewhere) has suggested that the best way to (organically) raise the ...
- 1,200
9
votes
3
answers
7k
views
Output of Septic tank as fertiliser
I have a septic tank with multiple chambers, the output of which is then pushed into a field (by design). As I'm new to living rurally, I asked a whole bunch of questions to the people who came to ...
- 4,838
9
votes
4
answers
13k
views
Which Fertilizer should I use for Coriander?
Which fertilizer should I use to grow larger leaves on coriander plants?
I have read this question - What could cause my coriander plant to start browning? Which talks about over water logged soil ...
- 91
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Does bonemeal promote bigger and stronger plants through root growth?
There are many web sites on how to use bone meal with claims like "Using bone meal will help your flowering plants, like roses or bulbs, grow bigger and more plentiful flowers." Is this true for all ...
- 61k
8
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Why would a lawn fertilizer bag say it's not water soluble?
I just bought some Scotts (4M Snap) Lawn Fertilizer. On the container it says:
Water soluble: No
How does fertilizer that is not soluble in water get absorbed by the root system of a plant?
- 2,986
8
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Is fertilizing a zero-sum endeavor?
Maybe a better way to put this question is:
Given an isolated garden bed, that had no external inputs except light, water and air. If you were to grow plants in it, compost those plants and add them ...
- 183