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About Feeding PlantsJust like all living things, plants must receive nutrients to survive. In addition to light and water, they need a regular diet of minerals and other elements. No matter how good your soil is, its nutrients will eventually be consumed by the plants that grow there. Grass, flowers, trees and even weeds all compete to absorb nutrients. By applying plant food to your plants on a regular basis, you replenish those nutrients so the plants can continue to grow and produce foliage, flowers and fruit. |
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Do plants have particular fertilizer needs, or is there one fertilier I can use for all of my plantsFor indoor plants, we recommend Osmocote Indoor & Outdoor Plant Food. For outdoor plants you may use Osmocote or an all-purpose plant food such as Miracle-Gro All-Purpose Plant Food. Certain plants do have special needs, like acid-loving plants, and we make several varieties to fit the needs of individual plants. |
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Do trees need food?Yes, trees are plants, too! They feed through hair-like roots beneath the earth's surface, hunting for nutrients. Remember, feeder roots of trees are not as deep into the soil as most people think. |
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Feeding AnnualsIn general, annuals and biennials are fairly undemanding when it comes to plant food, especially if they are planted in a nutrient-rich soil. Many successful gardens of these plants get by without any plant food at all, but conscientious gardeners know that a few well-timed applications of plant food will result in healthier, more robust plants and, in most cases, more flowers. |
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Feeding Fruit TreesFruits rarely need extra phosphorus, but they will occasionally need potassium and other nutrients. If growth is slow or leaves and fruit look unhealthy, check with your nursery or your County Cooperative Extension agent to find out what should be added. As a general rule, fruit trees should be fed equal amounts of fertilizer in early spring and again in mid-summer. Keep fertilizers away from the trunks of trees and shrubs and water very deeply after feeding. An easy way to feed your fruit trees is with tree fertilizer spikes, such as Miracle-Gro Fruit & Citrus Fertilizer Spikes. |
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Feeding PerennialsRemember, the need for nitrogen is greater for plants in full sun than for those growing in the shade, so be sure to give these plants a little extra attention. |
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Feeding RosesMost roses need regular applications of plant food to reach their full size and produce abundant flowers. Roses prefer a slow-release plant food that is high in phosphorus. For ever-blooming roses, feed regularly with a water-soluble plant food such as Water Soluble Rose Plant Food. Not only will regular feedings provide better blooms, but a healthy, well-fed plant is also better able to resist attacks of pests and diseases and to survive severe winter cold. |
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Feeding Trees, Shrubs & OrnamentalsSince they're so low-maintenance, it is easy to forget that trees and shrubs need care too. In addition to light and water, they need a regular diet of minerals and other elements. You can ensure that your trees and shrubs grow large and stay healthy and beautiful with a regular feeding program. |
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Feeding VegetablesVegetables demand adequate nutrients in the soil to see them through to harvest. An insufficient amount of nutrients will retard growth and this, in turn, will reduce both the quality and yield of your harvest. |
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How can I maximize the number of blooms on my geraniums?Removing the spent blooms will certainly help. You should also make sure the plants are receiving plenty of sunshine and are kept evenly moist but not sopping wet. |
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