When to Start Fertilizing Plants for Spring Growth
Spring is starting and that means the beginning of the gardening season. For many of us, that means preparing our soil and feeding our plants. In this article, horticulture expert Matt Dursum shows you when to start fertilizing plants for spring growth.
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As the buds on your plants form and spring flowers prepare for blooming, there are a few tasks to take on. For many plants, this means fertilizing as they awaken from their winter dormancy.
When we feed our plants in spring, we give them fuel for putting on new growth for the season. Fertilizer infuses nutrients into the soil, which our plants absorb quickly. As the temperatures warm up, they put on healthy new growth and radiant blooms.
The most difficult thing about fertilizing our plants, besides knowing how much to feed them, is knowing when to feed them. Let’s dive in and discuss the correct time to start fertilizing plants for healthy spring growth.
The Short Answer
The best time to start fertilizing your plants in the spring depends on the species and what stages of growth they’re in. Fertilization is not a one size fits all technique.
Feeding our plants at the wrong time can either stress them out or have little effect at all. Timing is also crucial to getting the most out of their foliage and blooms. Without extra nutrients at the right time, some of our favorite spring bloomers will look frail with fewer flowers and less color.
Keep reading below to learn more about the best times to fertilize your plants in spring. Timing is important to getting your garden to flourish.
The Long Answer
Deciding when to start fertilizing your plants depends on several factors. Below are a few important tips for getting the timing right.
Know Your Climate and When Your Plants Emerge
The first tip to consider is knowing your climate and when your garden “wakes up.” Check out your region’s hardiness zone by visiting the USDA Hardiness Zone map. Take note on what zone you’re in.
Afterward, visit the Old Farmer’s Almanac to find your average last frost date in your area. This will give you an idea of when to expect the most spring foliage to emerge.
Look at your seed packets and match the planting dates to your hardiness zone. Buy your plant food ahead of planting and the time you expect to see new buds emerge.
Feed Your Perennial Bulbs as They Emerge
Bulbs such as tulips and daffodils benefit from a balanced slow-release nutrient addition as they emerge. Hold off until you see the first signs of green growth peak from the soil. When you see the tops of the bulbs emerge, it’s the perfect time to feed them.
Read the instructions on your fertilizer package. Bulbs do well with balanced, slow-release or low-grade organic ingredients. Look for a nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium ratio (NPK) of 5-10-5, 10,10,10, or 5-10-10. These products give your bulbs the extra nutrient kick they need to build sturdy stems, healthy roots, and vivid flowers.
Make sure not to overfeed your bulbs or get the fertilizer too close to the young green growth. Apply it as a top dressing and water well so the plant food absorbs into the soil. Check in on your bulbs to see how they respond. This should be the only time you have to feed them until they prepare for dormancy in fall.
Prepare Annual Flower Beds Before Planting
Prepare your annual flower beds with nutrients before planting. Amend your garden bed soil with a balanced fertilizer to begin. The balanced nutrients will help your annuals grow strong stems and leaves before flowering.
Use an organic slow-release granular or diluted liquid fertilizer and water well. Always follow the directions on the package to get the right application.
Each flower species has an ideal feeding schedule to follow. Check the package and continue feeding your flowers as they need through the growing season.
Get Your Edible Beds Ready Before Planting
Spring is the time when gardeners prepare for planting. Edible annuals such as corn, leafy greens, legumes, squash, and herbs love nutrient-rich soil.
Amend your garden beds with a slow-release balanced plant food along with compost just before direct sowing or transplanting starters. After applying, work the compost and fertilizer into the soil evenly. Give the bed a good watering and prepare the spacing for your seeds or seedlings.
The nutrients will help your edible annuals put on vigorous growth towards their roots and leaves. Follow the directions on your product to know exactly how much you should add. Be careful not to add too much plant food or it could shock your young seedlings.
Fertilize Herbaceous Plants When You See New Growth
Herbaceous species with non-woody stems, such as peonies, salvia, and columbine, need to feed after putting on new growth. These plants will use the extra boost in nutrients to produce new leaves and stems for the growing season.
When you see the plants emerge or start to put on new leaves, amend their soil with a balanced plant food blend. Make sure not to get any plant food on the plants themselves or it could cause fertilizer burn.
Feed Woody Perennials When They Sprout Green Foliage
Woody perennials, such as blackberries, blueberries, and gooseberries, love a little nutrient boost in the spring. The best time to feed them is when they start putting on their new growth for the season.
These woody perennials will start flowering and producing new growth as the temperature and soil warm up. As soon as you see buds forming in early spring, add a ring of slow-release fertilizer around their bases, keeping it around 12 inches from the crowns.
Water well and make sure all the nutrients absorb into the soil. Continue fertilizing according to the specific plant’s requirements.
Amend Fruit Tree Soil During Bud Break
Bud break is the perfect time to give your fruit trees well-needed nutrients; start fertilizing these plants when you notice new buds forming. Most fruit trees, such as fruit-bearing cherry trees, benefit from a high-nitrogen plant food. Nitrogen (N) helps nourish the roots and prepares the plant for putting on healthy new growth in spring.
Wait until you see the new buds emerge in spring, just as other species are preparing to emerge. Feed your trees around their bases, roughly a foot away from the crown. Follow the directions and increase as needed.
Skip Over Hardy Species and Native Perennials
Some species, like lavender and rosemary, don’t require spring fertilizer. These woody perennials evolved in poor soils and are perfectly suited to thrive without feeding.
Native perennials, like bunchberries and lupines, can also survive in poor soils. They actually do better without nutrients in most cases.
Always read about the species and varieties you’re growing and their nutrient needs. Many popular edibles and native perennials thrive when you just leave them alone. If you overfeed them, they’ll likely put on leggy growth.
Final Thoughts
If you’re preparing your garden for the new growing season, it’s important to know when to start fertilizing your plants. This depends on what you’re growing and what climate you’re in. Follow the instructions on your fertilizer package and know your plant’s individual feeding needs. This way, you’ll avoid common fertilizer mistakes and enjoy a radiant garden this year.
