Spring and summer are the seasons when gardens are meant to flourish, but maintaining the health of your garden is a year-round job. Though you probably aren’t trying to grow anything outside right now, there are still plenty of things you can be doing to ensure the success of your garden when the weather warms up.
As a rule, perennials do not require a great deal of fertilizer. In fact, overfertilization of these plants can cause them to flop and become leggy while having a negative impact on bloom performance. As a leading provider of DIY gardening supplies in Bucks County and the surrounding areas, we’ve created this piece as a guide to perennials and fertilizer usage.
A Little Goes a Long Way
Perennials could benefit from one single application of fertilizer before the new spring growth starts to push its way up. We recommend no more than one pound of nitrogen per 1000sq.ft if there is no compost being used. This is the equivalent to a quarter of what you would apply to your lawn throughout a growing season.
Slow-Release vs. Balanced Fertilizers
Applying a slow-release fertilizer is the most sensible choice for meeting season-long requirements regarding plant nutrients. However, you can also use a balanced fertilizer like a 20-5-10. After testing your soil, if the results indicate that no phosphorus is required, you can use a product such as a 20-0-10.
Slow-release products are generally effective for 3-4 months, or 5-6 month windows of action. If you topdress or add supplemental feed at any time during the growing season, we recommend using a 3-4 month product on your perennials. If you are only going to fertilize once during a season, you should use the 5-6 month product for the best results.
The Sidedress Method
Another efficient way to fertilize perennials is known as “the sidedress method.” To do this, apply several tablespoons of fertilizer (following manufacturers guidelines) into the general root area of each plant.
It’s essential to ensure that no fertilizer granules cluster in the crown of the plants as this can cause burning. In the early springtime, cool soil conditions can affect the uptake of certain nutrients. This can make the foliage appear yellow or light green. This is a sign of nutrient deficiency, and should be spot-treated with liquid feed is it fails to diminish as the season progresses.
Just because the temperatures are falling doesn’t mean you can’t continue to maintain your garden! Leck’s Greenhouses encourages planting and gardening all year long, even in the latter days of fall, when the temperatures dip. While summer is a more popular – and albeit easier – time for growing, there are plenty of ways to make a garden work during the winter, as long as a few key points are kept in mind throughout the process.
Leck’s Greenhouses in Feasterville, PA wants to see all the flowers in your home and garden flourish for years and years to come. The easiest way to make this happen is to grow perennials in your home. Perennials are simple to plant and grow, thanks to their ability to regrow throughout the year, and last for multiple years before needing to be replanted. Some perennials grow better in Pennsylvania than others, and the following are among some of our favorites that we think would look great in your garden.
For plants to grow and bloom efficiently, they require essential nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. All of these nutrients can be found in common fertilizer products that are available in most gardening and hardware stores. As the most reputable garden shop in Feasterville, Leck’s Greenhouses has recently advised on the differences between using a liquid or dry fertilizer for potted plants.
Leck’s Greenhouses is holding our second annual AppleFest, and we want to see you there! Our garden shop in Feasterville will be hosting the event on Saturday, October 5th, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday, October 6th, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. This is a family event with activities for people of every age!
Now that the gardening season is well underway, it’s likely that there’s plenty to do to keep you busy. From watering to feeding, weeding, and everything in between, gardening includes a variety of activities, many of which you can share with your family and get them in on the fun. In fact, whether you have an acre, a small plot of land, or just a few plants on your balcony, gardening creates the perfect opportunity for your children to learn about nature and stay engaged over the summer.
At Leck’s Greenhouses, we don’t just feature a wide range of DIY gardening supplies at our Bucks County home garden center. We can also help you get ready for spring with our gorgeous selection of flowers, including annuals, perennials, and more. For more information on our flowers and plant supplies in Bucks County, call us today at 215-664-8648.
At Leck’s Greenhouses, we’re not just Bucks County’s top-rated DIY gardening supply center. We also feature herbs, vegetables, and a vast selection of perennials, annuals, and more. For more information on gardening and plant supplies in Bucks County and the surrounding areas, call us today at 215-664-8648.
As the top-rate Bucks County garden shop, Leck’s Greenhouses knows that it’s never too early to start planning your garden. By following these simple and straightforward tips, you can get a jump on your garden this spring and enjoy its beauty all season long.