How to Fertilize Lawn & Landscape

Fertilizing is like feeding ourselves. It gives plants nutrients they need to reach their maximum beauty. Just as humans can't eat just once and expect to sustain them for the rest of the year, plants also need frequent fertilization.

Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients to add to soil. Over time it is washed down through the soil and away from plants by rain and frequent watering.

Phosphorous and potassium are also important nutrients but they do not tend to wash away as quickly. All three nutrients are normally applied together as fertilizers. Fertilizers with a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, in that order, work best for landscape trees. Use 1-2-2 or 1-1-1 ratio for flowers, vegetables and flowering shrubs.

Established trees need to be fertilized once every three to five years. It can be accomplished one of two ways. Water injection through the ground with a special applicator shoots the fertilizer directly down into the soil where the roots can pick it up quickly. A series of holes which are drilled eight to twelve inches deep, one and a half to three feet apart, and about an inch wide can be filled one third with fertilizer which will eventually soak down to the roots of the tree.

Newer trees should be fertilized with a 1-2-2 ratio when they are planted and then once a year for the first three to five years, either/or spring or late fall.

Shrubs should be fertilized twice a year, once in the early spring, and once in the late fall. Fertilizer can be distributed by hand or applied with a broadcast spreader. Be careful not to pack the fertilizer around the stems because it could burn the bark.

Perennials should be fertilized in the spring and once in the fall. Annuals should be fertilized more frequently as needed.

Lawns should generally be fertilized three to five times a year during the growing season. Pick a manufacturer's fertilization schedule and follow the recommended intervals and application rates.

Lawn fertilizer comes in two forms. Liquid is usually faster acting than granular, and many people find it is easier to apply. It usually has water added before it's sprayed and some applicators attach directly to the garden hose for maximum dilution. Granular fertilizer is more traditional and is slower actin over a longer period of time. It is usually applied by a drop-type or broadcast spreader.

Fertilization keeps the nutrients available, making sure your plants don't go hungry this year.