Fertilizer

**Juju** · 02-11-2009, 11:32 AM

Hi every one. Hubby has a question. He plans to have a garden this year and wants some help. We are going to have. Tomatoes. Potatoes. Green beans. Corn. Carrots. yellow squash. Here is the question how does he fertilize all of these. Does he put it down and then plant the garden. Or plant the garden and fertilize each one a certain way.
Thanks Juju

**Debbie-cat** · 02-11-2009, 11:38 AM

Depends on the type of fertilizer. If you use a standard fertilizer put it on the soil before planting and till/mix it in. If you use something like liquid Miracle Grow, you can spray it on your plants while they are growing. It really is up to you.

**pollypurebred39** · 02-11-2009, 11:39 AM

JuJu, I'm no gardener, my husband is but I wanted to recommend a catalog called Gardens Alive. They always have $20-$30 free coupons on the front of their catalog and you don't have to buy anything else, not even shipping! They have the best fertilzer that makes the vegetables SO SWEET! Our tomatoes are incredible using their stuff. Just thought I'd share. Good luck on your garden!

**TexasPeanut** · 02-11-2009, 11:54 AM

For us we mix in all of the soil goodies (which is usually soil conditioners and composted manure along with our own compost) first into the garden very well and then plant. We don't use specific plant fertilizers, it gets too complicated for me to deal with. As long as your soil is good, airy and well draining your garden should do lovely.

In the Hobbies forum there is a Gardening sub-forum, you may be able to find some helpful tips there, however I'm not sure if fertilizer has ever been discussed. We also have a gardening social group (click on "community" and then on "social groups" in the blue bar menu above) feel free to join and share your gardening adventures with us!

**CrazyHomemaker** · 02-12-2009, 10:44 PM

Here, we put in my chicken compost and a little lime. We till it into the soil. Let it set a couple of weeks then plant. After things start growing decently, we hit it with diluted fish emulsion. It smells bad only until it dries. Fish emulsion has been a wonder fertilizer for our plants and lawn.

**madhen** · 02-12-2009, 10:51 PM

You'll want to check the fertilizer for best application. Some will burn the plants if you mix it right into the soil. Others are fine to mix right in. Most plants benefit from some top-dressing while they are growing, even if you add nutrients to the soil ahead of time. Be sure to be careful, if using standard fertilizers, that your run-off water isn't going into any natural waterways. It causes algae bloom.

**fixer** · 02-12-2009, 11:07 PM

I would recommend taking a soil sample to your local cooperative extension office to have it analyzed. It is money well spent since the cost of fertilizer has increased. It will also look at soil pH and give you recommendations for that. I will till in fertilizer in the begging of the season then side dress the crops at the appropriate time. This is subject to local growing conditions which is why your extension office will be an invaluable source of information.