Re: Fertilizing Astilbes now - or not

I don't fertilize my astilbes chemically, but add lots of humus rich
addtions to the bed. Compost and manures are all I apply. Usually if an
astilbe starts to look bad it's from lack of moisture not from lack of
fertilizer. Leaves start drying on the edges and then the leaves drying up.
Give them a good mulch over winter and add lots of amendments to the soil
every year. I don't think they need any fertilizing beyond adding those
great amendments or a nitrogen fix in spring such as with blood meal or
fish emulsion. Lots of humus a  good mulch and a deep watering once a week
if you don't get an inch of water during the growing season. The more sun
it is in the more water it will need.
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Debra Teachout-Teashon
Washington state
USDA zone 8, Sunset zone 5
New native plant images
http://www.rainyside.com/natives/nativeplants/
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