Re: Re Fertilizing

In a message dated 10/11/2002 2:10:07 AM Central Daylight Time, 
gardenhous@aol.com writes:

<<  That an usda report in 1935 reports tath soils are nutrient 
 depleted and thus brocoli is not supplying as many vitamins as was in the 
 past. >>

 I don't disagree that most of out farmlands, and probably all lands are 
overfarmed.  Iris are reported to be heavy feeders and can totally deplete a 
spot in three to four years if supplements are not provided during that time. 
 If people like Superstition have the space to rotate crops, that is an 
excellent answer provided they seed the dormant land with a crop good at 
fixing  nutrients.  Surely they don't let it lay bare which would return only 
the small amount of nutrients recovered from rain.  

Doreen, soil tests might solve the problem.  Some elements leach out of the 
soil fairly rapidly if not taken up by plants while others remain forever. 

My problem was not with giving/supplementing nutrients but with the timing of 
the feeding.  I gardened and had lawns long before I became involved with 
irises.  The advice I've tried to follow is this: Feed regularly and well 
until Labor Day.  (The Holiday is easier to remember than Sept 1st.) Feed 
nothing from that point on.  This timing is in tune with our local EARLY 
freeze dates and would vary in other parts of the country. Soft growth 
invites freeze damage.  My experince bears this out.  Maybe things react 
different in your part of the country.  

<<<Only if I want her to sleep well!>>>

My experience on this varies, also.  I've found eating large meals at bedtime 
promotes bellyaches and bad dreams!

BUT, do what works for you.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  

Betty Wilkerson Zone 6 SouthCentral Kentucky

American Iris Society web site <http://www.irises.org>
iris-talk/Mallorn archives: <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-talk/>
iris-photos/Mallorn archives: <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-photos/>

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