To Fertilize or Not to Fertilize??

A very common question my customers have been asking lately is "When should I fertilize my lawn or flowerbed?". My very short answer to that question is NEVER!

I'll tell you why and share some resources that have helped me understand this subject now...

As we get into spring it is common practice to put down a new application of fertilizer to give our plants a good feed as they begin to wake up from the Winter months. I understand the concept but the problem is that often that fertilizer my customers are referring to is a synthetic manmade form of the macronutrients Nitrogen (N ), Phosphorous (P), & Potassium (K). Which is not in itself a bad thing but the way it functions is a bit of a problem.

To understand why it is a problem we first need to know that our soils are entire ecosystems in and of themselves. Filled with living organisms such as fungi, bacteria, earthworms, mites, millipedes and millions of other insects and microorganisms that have evolved to live in harmony with plant roots under the soil surface.

Here's a video that can quickly explain how plant roots and the living organisms under the soil work together to benefit and feed each other and how synthetic fertilizer doesn't quite fit in with that relationship:

Please click the link to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8qTRBc8Bws

This simple video was incredibly eye opening to me. It helped me to quickly see why understanding the soil is so important and how continuously using synthetic fertilizers can get people stuck in a loop where they constantly have to apply more fertilizer to keep their plants happy. Also, not to mention the environmental consequences of using synthetic fertilizers!

This information can be applied both in an agricultural farm setting and the home ornamental landscape setting.

So now my recommendation is to do what modern organic gardeners call "Feeding the Soil". This can be done by simply layering organic matter (i.e. Leaves, mulch, compost, garden soil etc.) over a planting area and allowing that material to break down naturally.

Think of the forest. Who fertilizes the forest?? No one. It essentially feeds itself by dropping organic matter onto the forest floor which is eventually broken down by living soil organisms and is converted back into energy that near by plants can use. And so continuing on an endless sustainable cycle that benefits both the plants and the living soil organisms.

If you consistently add organic matter into your plant beds or lawn you will soon see an explosion of soil life. Which is exactly what we want for healthy plants!

This practice is also multifunctional in that it also reduces weeds, reduces soil compaction, improves moisture retention and improves soil structure.

So in the future when it comes time for a spring or fall clean up, do it the easy way and take all those leaves, trimmings and other organic matter and toss them into the plant beds or mulch them into the lawn. You're plants will very much thank you for it!

For additional information on this subject you can look up a few of these key words:

• Soil Food Web

• Regenerative Agriculture

• Rhizosphere

• Mycorrhizae

• Nutrient Cycling

• Mineralization

There is an abundant amount of information and speakers such as Elaine Ingham that can explain the plant and soil relationship far better than I can.

I hope this information can help everyone save some money and enjoy their time outside a little more this Spring!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out! 337-274-2140

Happy Gardening!