Re: fertilizing


Barb,

I use Osmocote, too, so don't feel bad!  However, I do top-dress my borders
with horse manure and leaf mold in the Spring.  This is my main way of
fertilizing.  After seeing active growth, I then scatter on the slow
release fertilizer before mulching.

I have read recently in the book "The Well-Tended Perennial Garden" (I
think that's the name) that gardeners tend to over-fertilize their gardens,
resulting in weak-stemed plants and rapid-growing, disease prone foliage.
The author fertilizes every other year, sometimes every three years.  Then,
she uses organic fertilizers, such as compost, manure, or leaf mold.  If
you start your garden with good soil, I tend to agree with her on this.

By the way, my leaf mold is nothing more than black trash bags filled with
fallen leaves from Autumn.  I poke holes in the bags and leave them to the
elements all winter.  The black plastic retains any heat from the sun and
the holes allow moisture to get in and out.  Occasionally I'll kick the
bags around to churn the insides every month.  By Spring I'll have
semi-decomposed bits of leaves along with a bag full of bugs that took up
residence over the Winter.

Val in KY
zone 6a

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