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.
Make the last fertilizer application before July 1.
New growth also needs time to "harden off" before winter. Tender new growth is at risk of cold injury if it is forced late in the season, when plants and trees should be shutting down for winter.
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.
Don't fertilize plants or trees during hot summer months
During hot spells, it is especially hard to keep up with plant water and nutrient needs as soils dry out quickly and water may not be readily available. Save your plants (and yourself!) from stress by stopping fertilizer application before hot weather hits.
It is important to water plants thoroughly with plain water before applying the liquid fertilizer to avoid burning the roots if the soil is dry. Also, take care that the fertilizer is indeed diluted based on instructions, or you could burn the leaves.
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.
General tips. Avoid applying fertilizers when plants are dormant or under heat and drought stress. Fertilizers should be incorporated into the soil to prevent losses. If you cannot physically incorporate a fertilizer at this point in the season, it may be best to stick with a water-soluble fertilizer.
*Don't fertilize in hot weather. Excess growth, lots of stems and leaves will outgrow the root system and create stress as the roots try to maintain the plant.
Don't fertilize when it's winter or early spring
The ideal temperature to fertilize your lawn is 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Any lower than this, your lawn will struggle to maintain nutrients.
Symptoms and signs of over-fertilization
Crust of fertilizer on soil surface. Yellowing and wilting of lower leaves. Browning leaf tips and margins. Browned or blackened limp roots.
Prepare your garden or containers in early spring (but after the last frost) with Miracle-Gro® All Purpose Garden Soil or Miracle-Gro® Potting Mix. Both contain continuous-release plant food to give your vegetables, herbs, and flowers a strong start—plus their first serving of vital nutrients, directly at their roots.
Exactly how often you fertilize your plants depends on the types you are growing and the time of year. Some garden plants are heavy feeders (meaning they need more nutrients than others). These tend to be species that grow fast and bloom a lot, including most annuals, fruits, veggies, roses, and hydrangeas.
Beginning late summer and through September and into early October is a great time to fertilize many plants. This includes lawns, young trees, shrubs that need to grow more leaves and groundcovers that need to spread and cover.
Standard Miracle-Gro “all purpose plant food” fertilizers are synthetic and should not be used in organic gardens.
Apply fall lawn fertilizer once between August and November, right before winter hits, 6 to 8 weeks after the summer feeding.
If you forget or are too busy to water your plants on some summer mornings, you can water them at night. However, this should not be your ordinary watering time. Morning is the proper time for watering plants, though you should keep in mind that not all plants need daily watering.
You should take a break from feeding your plants during a heat wave or drought. However, to prepare them for conditions that could cause heat stress, regularly give them Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food (following all label directions) so they're nice and strong before the unfortunate weather arrives.
6. Don't fertilize during a heat wave. Very high soil temperatures (above 85°F) can cause plants to go semi-dormant, so they use very few nutrients while they're in survival mode and aren't prepared to make use of them. If you fertilize your plants while they're stressed, it may even damage them.
Mid to late summer are typically too hot to fertilize the lawn. Applying fertilizer in summer is best done with a light hand or when the plant shows signs of low fertility such as paler colors than usual. Then make sure you water the plants before applying fertilizer, and again afterward.
Fertilize Warm-Season Grass
Grass already gets stressed during these months, so maintain caution when applying it. Use a fertilizer formulated specially for summer feedings, and follow the instructions exactly. If you have cool-season grass, do not fertilize in the summer.
Fertilizer and Water
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. You can also time fertilizer application between rainfalls to let rain wash fertilizer into soil.
For houseplants, choose a fertilizer for your specific plant if available. Apply half the recommended strength when you see active growth and make sure the pot drains well to eliminate excess fertilizer. Flush plant soil with clean water every couple of months to avoid fertilizer build-up in the soil.
'Fertilizing should come first in this case,' Anton continues. 'Applying a slow-release fertilizer in the early spring, when the soil has warmed up, can help get your lawn off to a good start.
"A compost pile would be the natural fertilizer I would strongly recommend," says Kemper. To make compost, take all your scraps (like eggshells, fruit peels, and coffee grounds) and put them into a pile with leaves, sticks, and other organic debris.