Re: CULT: fertilizer in SE USA

Some generalities that may or may not be helpful:

In the southeastern US, in our ancient, highly weathered clay soils
(good ol' red/orange clay) phosphorus and calcium seem to be the two
nutrients most often in short supply.  That's the P number in NPK
fertilizers (i.e., 6-12-12).  Coarsely ground limestone (preferably
dolomitic limestone, which also has magnesium, another nutrient that
tends to get leached out in the southeast).  Most general gardeners that
have a few irises tend to fertilize spring and fall with bonemeal (for
the phosphorus) and ground limestone scattered liberally over the
irises, with sometimes some 6-12-12 (readily available, relatively low
nitrogen).

In my gravelly soil, if it rains much, nitrogen also tends to disappear,
so after weather has settled in spring (during/after bloom), I may use
small amounts of 10-10-10.

And I add a scattering of alfalfa pellets now and then for trace
nutrients, magic ingredients, etc.  Works wonders when it's needed, tho
one application per location seems to be all that yields much of a
boost.  I also use it well mixed in planting holes when setting out new
irises.

I also found a few bags of 5-10-15 (or something like that) at Wally
World this year - I'd prefer something with more P, but this is still
better than 10-10-10 & 15-15-15 that most garden centers have, which is
great for growing foliage plants (i.e., lawns & pastures) & can
contribute to excessively lush iris foliage, more vulnerable to freeze &
disease if not careful..

& I have an old rotting bag of 0-35-0 (no longer available at my local
farmer's coop) that I use small amounts of now and then.

Hope that is somewhat helpful.

PS - keep an eye on the dog children if you use bone meal - I had a
golden retriever who followed me around licking up all the bone meal as
fast as I could scatter it till I caught him at it.  Similar experience
with the horse child excavating freshly planted but unwatered irises at
the edge of pasture when using alfalfa pellets.

Linda Mann east Tennessee USA zone 7/8



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