To fertilize or not to fertilize

Surfinbride

In past years, I didn't fertilize outdoor plants in the winter. I worried that it would cause them to form new growth that was too delicate for the temps. Today, we had our first ray of sunshine in the Seattle area. I went out with the Dr. Earth general purpose fertilizer and spread it around a few things. I doubt we'll get a hard freeze. The weather people still say that we could get snow... but, they've been very wrong this year.

What's your opinion? Do you fertilize on a schedule? I usually do every other month for most plants; more frequently for roses and hungry flowering plants in summer. Do you fertilize based on what your plants look like? I feel like the spring green bulbs are telling me that it's time to fertilize. Do you wait to fertilize until temps stay above a certain #?

~NB~

Surfinbride:

In past years, I didn't fertilize outdoor plants in the winter. I worried that it would cause them to form new growth that was too delicate for the temps.

In outdoor plants, new growth is spurred more by temperature than soil nutrients, but having said that, it's still unwise to throw nitrogen fertilizer on dormant plants.

What's your opinion? Do you fertilize on a schedule?

Do you fertilize based on what your plants look like?

Do you wait to fertilize until temps stay above a certain #?

Fertilizer should be applied in response to soil analysis, not because of a date on the calendar or plant appearance. Unhealthy looking plants might not need fertilizer, only a soil test can determine that; and fertilizing plants that are in poor condition or struggling is a bad for them.

kastle

~NB~:

Surfinbride:

In past years, I didn't fertilize outdoor plants in the winter. I worried that it would cause them to form new growth that was too delicate for the temps.

In outdoor plants, new growth is spurred more by temperature than soil nutrients, but having said that, it's still unwise to throw nitrogen fertilizer on dormant plants.

What's your opinion? Do you fertilize on a schedule?

Do you fertilize based on what your plants look like?

Do you wait to fertilize until temps stay above a certain #?

Fertilizer should be applied in response to soil analysis, not because of a date on the calendar or plant appearance. Unhealthy looking plants might not need fertilizer, only a soil test can determine that; and fertilizing plants that are in poor condition or struggling is a bad for them.

ditto.

Although I typically only "fertilize" by adding compost.