As I drive to and from work, I get really frustrated by all of the annuals that are in desperate need of fertilizer. I see spindly, yellow, leggy plants that can still be lush and colorful if only for a bit of fertilizer.
If you made the investment in time and money, why wouldn't you want the best show? Just come on in and get the darn fertilizer.
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Better soil quality probably would help as well. Can you offer tips for improving soil quality in garden beds without having to dig up existing plants?
ReplyDeleteI have two suggestions for the summer:
ReplyDeletePrepare by moving existing mulch to one side or another of the bed (or basically out of the way for the area you are going to work on.)
1. Aeration: With a pitchfork or thin spade, create holes or slices throughout the soil in your bed. Spread a 2" layer of Espoma soil conditioner over the bed and work it into the exposed area. This will work it down into the soil and also allow the conditioner to drop down into the holes/slices that you just created.
The aeration allows for greater air exchange with the soil. Even though you are working soil conditioner down into the holes, there is still plenty of air space remaining.
Work the soil conditioner into the soil around your existing plants.
The conditioner will help to improve the air and nutrient exchange with your plants.
2. As a top dressing, use compost, manure, and/or organic fertilizer. Again, work it into the soil. Repeat this in later fall - to allow it to breakdown and move through the soil over the freeze and thaw of the winter.
Apply again in the spring and everytime you add additional plants to the existing bed.
If your soil is clay, be sure to add lime in the fall to help improve the PH for spring as well.
Another excellent way to improve an existing bed is to use an organic product containing microbes that will work in conjunction with your plant's root system and help improve soil quality. Monrovia makes a soil amendment that can be used both during planting and as a top dressing.