About The Long Island Gardener Expertise Do you know the wrong fertilizer will keep your plants from blooming?
Do you know that too much Nitrogen can kill your grass, even if it does not burn the roots? Do you know that Roses need a LOT of Nitrogen to bloom -- and why is that?
There's some complex chemistry in those plant foods. The secrets behind N-P-K are the key to the ultimate lawn, the the biggest flowers, the most fruits and vegetables. And if you don't get it right, you could be sorry.
I'll show you what you did wrong, and how to fix it.
Experience Homeowner with gardens indoors and outdoors, lawns back and forth. I wrote my first gardening column for our college newspaper, teaching roomates about the right way to feed those windowsills gardens. Today I look for challenges. Organic Fertilizers are the key to proper feeding of all our plants. Can you make your own fertilizer? Some people think so -- but there are side effects. I have been there, done that for 54 years and there is nothing like the voice of experience when it comes to Horticulture and Fertilizers.
Publications Numerous and sundry but only in college did I write about plants.
Education/Credentials B.A., Botany and Mass Communications.
Question I planted a dogwood tree in a very sunny spot, what tips can you give me to really help it thrive? Do I need to add bone meal to the soil? Thanks
Answer Add NOTHING without a Soil Test, my friend. This is not fun, and no one wants to be bothered, but you will get a very neat little cheat sheet with all kinds of data that will dictate what IF ANYTHING you need to add to make your Dogwood a big, beautiful tree.
Tell me what state you live in and I'll tell you exactly who to ask for a Soil test.
While you're waiting for your Soil test results, I can tell you that regular applications of Harpin Protein, sold as 'Messenger' at your local garden center (or you can order it online), will accelerate the recovery from transplant shock. Also, Espoma Co makes a line of Soil additives that cater to the kind of transplant you want to treat -- Trees get certain Mycorrhizae that boost nutrient levels and produce some dramatic results in growth and flowering.
Much better than Bone Meal. Especially if your Soil has plenty of Phosphorus. Remember, too much of certain nutrients can cause a shortage of others. Know thy Soil. Test it first. Zipcode, please.
