As a general rule of thumb, you will usually fertilize perennial plants at least twice a year: in the early spring when new growth begins to emerge, and again in early fall. Too, any time you cut a perennial back during the active growing season, a feeding is usually beneficial.
Perennials: Rake away mulch in spring and apply 1-inch of compost around plants. Lightly fertilize plants if needed with a complete granular fertilizer. This can be repeated mid-summer if growth is weak or foliage is light green in color. In late summer, fertilize plants that will bloom late summer through early fall.
Broadcasting a slow release fertilizer is the best choice to meet season-long plant nutrient requirements, but you can also use a balanced fertilizer such as 20-5-10. If your soil test indicates that you do not need phosphorous, choose a product such as 20-0-10.
Perennial flowers are a bit different than annuals. They generally require less fertilization and since they often slow down growth in autumn to prepare for dormancy, fertilization should be avoided after late summer.
Perennials that require no fertilizer: Included are ornamental grasses, false indigo, ground covers, butterfly weed, bee balm, coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, sea holly, dianthus, asters and veronica. summer: Use a quick release food in summer, instead of a slow release food.
Fertilize your plants, shrubs, trees and lawn to stimulate root growth, which will help your plants survive the winter and recover earlier in the springs. Fertilize perennials in the early fall for extended life. Fertilize trees and shrubs in the late fall to give them a boost before the winter.
Water and Feed Your Perennials
You can easily water and feed at the same time with Miracle-Gro® Liquafeed®. When watering, avoid perennials' leaves to prevent disease, and aim for a soil consistency that is neither too wet nor too dry.
No matter which fall gardening project you choose, be sure to make plant roots super-happy by using Miracle-Gro® Potting Mix (for containers) or Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil for Vegetables & Herbs (for in-ground).
It does not need much fertilizer; however, if your soil is not in good shape or the plant is not thriving you may need to feed the plant. Rich soil and a lot of water is just as important for hosta health as is fertilizer. New hostas planted in the spring will need a good starter fertilizer to help establish the roots.
If your plant leaves' color is alright, but they are becoming out of shape or deformed, stop using miracle gro on them. The deformation of leaves occurs when you are using too much miracle-gro on them. Weakened plants from either the stems or the roots are a sign of overdosing fertilizers.
However, complete fertilizers sold for flowering plants (including roses and bulbs) such as 15-30-50 or 10-30-20 contain higher amounts of phosphorus (the second number) than nitrogen or potassium and are often labeled as “blossom or bloom booster”.
Perennials that do best with no supplement fertilizer include butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), false indigo (Baptisia australis), asters, pinks (Dianthus spp.), rock roses (Helianthemum spp.), sea holly (Eryngium spp.), bee balm (Monarda didyma), speedwell (Veronica spp.), coneflowers (Echinacea spp.
Spring Perennial Plantings:
Week 1: Every day to every other day. Weeks 2-3: Water 2-3 times per week, depending on environmental conditions. Weeks 4+: Water 2-3 times per week, more in hot/dry conditions. When cooler, water less.
Overwatered Plants
Can you really overwater plants? Yes. When you water your plants too much (or if the soil is drained poorly), soils can easily become waterlogged. This is a problem for roots trying to survive because they may suffocate and die due to their inability to absorb the oxygen they need.
Per the usage directions, you're only supposed to apply Miracle-Gro All-Purpose Plant Food on a weekly basis, perhaps every two weeks. If you follow those instructions, then the company says the product should not burn your houseplants.
Per the manufacturer, Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food can be applied at anytime. If plants are experiencing drought or really dry soil, then it is suggested to water the plant before applying the product. Light to moderate rain is perfectly fine before or after an application.
Promote colorful, abundant flowers in your annuals and perennials by feeding them Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Bloom Booster® Flower Food every 7 to 14 days, or Miracle-Gro® Shake 'n Feed® Rose & Bloom Plant Food every 3 months during the growing season.
Applying fertilizer in the wrong season can cause increased tender new growth that can be damaged, especially if applied in cold weather in late fall or in winter. So it is best to stop fertilizing during dormant seasons. Additionally, in zones that can be in danger of a late freeze, it's best to wait until mid-spring.
Why Water After Fertilizing? Watering after fertilizing washes the fertilizer off of the grass blades and into the soil, where it can get to work nourishing your lawn. It's also important because if fertilizer sits too long without being watered in, it can burn the grass.
Fertilizer and Water
A day or two before applying fertilizer, water your lawn thoroughly. After grass dries, apply fertilizer. Then lightly water again. This second watering is vitally important, because it washes fertilizer off grass blades and into soil.
Standard Miracle-Gro “all purpose plant food” fertilizers are synthetic and should not be used in organic gardens.
You can sprinkle the all-purpose plant food around your plants. However, you should apply the granules on top of the soil and wait for absorption. This article helps you understand how to use miracle fertilizers and the effects of overusing them.