Your plants will thank you if you give them some fertilizer this summer!
Keep your plants looking their best and growing strong by adding fertilizer every 2-4 weeks this summer. Free liquid fertilizer is always available at Wenke Greenhouses. Bring in your own milk jugs or cat litter jugs or something with a top and fill up with our ready-to-use fertilizer. It’s the same kind we use in the greenhouse and your plants will love it!
Plants, flowers and vegetables all need regular feeding to keep growing and producing flowers and vegetables throughout the season. Plant fertilizers contain three main nutrients, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potash (K) and often micro nutrients such as iron, magnesium, etc. A common NPK ratio is 20-20-20.
Nitrogen, the first number in the series helps the plant produce green growth so the plant is better able to produce food from sunlight. This is why lawn fertilizers usually have a higher N ratio than a P or K ratio.
Phosphorus, the second number in the series helps the plant produce roots and flowers. It is a good idea when planting annuals, perennials, vegetables and shrubs to use a starter fertilizer which will have a higher second number than the first number. Good root development helps your plants to absorb more water and nutrients to produce blossoms and flowers.
Potash, the last number in the series increases plant hardiness so plants are better able to handle heat, cold, humidity, wind and other climate changes. This is usually the lowest number in the NPK series.
Whenever and whatever you are fertilizing, always be sure the plant you are fertilizing is not stressed for water. Never fertilize a plant that is bone dry. In order for the roots to make use of the fertilizer they need to be moist. So water your plants first and then fertilize them.
Fertilizing your gardens once a month up to September is a good routine. Containers, hanging baskets and some flowers will need to be fertilized every two weeks, check plant labels to be sure of your plant’s needs. Fertilization is slowed down in the fall to allow perennials, shrubs and roses to start to wind down and stop growing as winter approaches.
Whether you’re using a liquid fertilizer container that attaches to a hose, a liquid fertilizer that you mix in a watering can, or a dry fertilizer that is mixed in the soil around the plant, always read and follow label directions. Specialty fertilizers have been developed for acid loving plants such as rhododendrons and hydrangeas, or to help increase bloom development or to produce more tomatoes. See our store displays for a full range of fertilizers. DO NOT over fertilize. More is not better when it comes to fertilizing.
We offer free liquid fertilizer that is ready for you to use on your flowers and plants. Bring in your container and help yourself. We want your plants to be happy!
