Estabrook's Garden Newsletter

Fall Fertilizing

Help your plants establish stronger roots this fall with Espoma fertilizers

Once leaves and flowers begin to die back, it looks like all plant activity has finished. However, cooler temperatures and shorter days send signals to plants to slow down on the above ground growth and concentrate on what's underground.

With an inordinate amount of activity taking place in the roots, fall is the opportune time to fertilize. It may sound odd to feed plants now, but an ample supply of fertilizer in the fall will give plants a head start when it's time to grow in the spring.

Choosing a Fertilizer

Plant needs are different now than in the spring and summer. In warmer months they are busy leafing and blooming, while in the fall, all their energy is going to the roots. Since nitrogen inspires above ground growth, look for fertilizers with a low amount of nitrogen for fall applications.

Each fertilizer will have a ratio on it, typically expressed as N-P-K. N stands for nitrogen, P for phosphorus and K for potassium. A fertilizer rich in phosphorus and potassium, while low in nitrogen (between 2 and 5) will be ideal for this time of year.

At Estabrook's, we recommend organic fertilizers from Espoma. An all-purpose formula like Plant-Tone or Holly-Tone for acid loving plants both offer a good amount of phosphorus and potassium while limiting the amount of nitrogen your plants receive this time of year.

Application

The best time to fertilize in the fall is after a few light frosts or when trees begin dropping their leaves.

Lightly scratch granular fertilizers into the top of the soil and where appropriate, apply a nice layer of mulch over the top. Water the fertilized areas thoroughly if fall rains are lacking.

Fall Cleanup Checklist

A layer of mulch is vital to maintaining the health of your plants this winter

Fall is a time to take stock of your garden, clean up any debris that has accumulated, and then take the proper precautions to ensure your plants survive a sometimes treacherous winter (especially here in Maine!).

While the work varies from garden-to-garden, here's a brief list of some of the more important tasks to take into consideration this autumn:

• Weed the garden before their seeds drop and create problems next year.
• Stake young trees to prevent wind damage.
• Cut perennials back to 3-4".
• Pull annuals when plants cease blooming or are dead from frost.
• Clean up plant debris from beds and borders.
• Take down trellises to clean and store for next season.
• Spread manure or compost on the garden to promote stable soil temperatures and avoid a freezing and thawing cycle.
• Harvest and appropriately store vegetables before the first frost.
• Empty clay pots and bring them indoors to avoid winter cracking.
• Update your plant performance records.

Estabrook's has all the tools you'll need to make this season's fall cleanup a cinch!

From rakes to bags and compost to stakes, our full service garden center is here to meet your needs. Visit us today!