- How can I tell when the compost is ready to use?
It will look like rich, organic soil, without any large clumps in it. To test if its ready, plant a few grass seeds in a small pot using some of...
- How often should I turn my compost pile?
Once a week. This will continue to mix everything together and help aerate the pile. If the microbes deep within the pile dont get enough oxygen,...
- I’ve heard I need to mix both brown and green materials in my compost pile. What does this mean?
Brown ingredients are carbon-based materials, such as dried leaves. Green ingredients are nitrogen-based materials, such as fresh grass clippings....
- When is the best time to apply Step-1 fertilizer?
February, March and...
- When is the best time to apply fertilizer?
Every 4-6 weeks beginning in...
- How often should I apply fertilizer to my lawn?
You should feed your lawn every six to eight weeks during the growing season. This usually means April, June, August and October, but your lawn may...
- What do the three numbers on a bag of fertilizer mean?
They represent the percentages of plant nutrients by weight. Just remember up, down and all around. The first number represents the nitrogen,...
- Can I spray my fruit trees from the ground?
Yes, a hose-end tree sprayer will do the job, but will often end up applying the chemical to other surrounding plants and the lawn....
- When should I apply fertilizers to plants and trees?
Dont apply liquid fertilizer at the same time you plant. Some root hairs will break, and the fertilizer will burn them. Wait 2 to 3 weeks...
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of organic fertilizers?
The word organic simply means that the nutrients contained in the product are derived from a once-living organism. Most are high in just...
- What are the advantages of water-soluble fertilizers?
These dry or liquid concentrates must be diluted in water before application. They are applied with a hose-end sprayer or a watering can....
- What are time-released granular pellets?
These controlled-release fertilizers provide consistent feeding for three to nine months depending on the product. The fertilizer...
- What are the advantages of the granular pellets?
They are usually less expensive than their organic counterparts. They can be applied by simply spreading them around plants or using a...
- What are the advantages of a synthetic fertilizer?
Theyre faster acting than organic, making them a good choice for aiding plants in severe distress from nutrient deficiencies. These...
- What are special purpose fertilizers?
Some fertilizers are designed for certain uses or types of plants such as citrus food, rose food or azalea food. For example, the azalea...
- What are micronutrients?
These are nutrients, such as sulfur and iron, that plants need in tiny amounts. Generally, micronutrient deficiencies are not common...
- What is a good all-around, multi-purpose fertilizer?
A 12-12-12 helps promote growth and is good for all vegetables, flowers, fruit and nut trees, shade trees, evergreens and shrubs. A 1-1-1...
- What does the potassium do?
It assists plants in forming starches and proteins, thus promoting plant hardiness, disease resistance and a tolerance to drought and...
- What does the phosphorous do?
This is the down number. It stimulates cell building and root growth, and is particularly beneficial in helping seedlings, flowers...
- What is the nitrogen needed for?
Its the up. It promotes plant growth and greening, thus providing more foliage, color and...