May 3rd, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

Creating a fertilizing schedule and choosing the right products to use is an important step in maintaining a healthy and productive garden. Fertilizers are essential for providing your plants with the necessary nutrients for growth, but it's essential to apply them at the right time and in the right amounts to avoid over-fertilization and potential damage to your plants. This is where it can become tricky, as there are quite a few factors that you need to consider carefully in order to create the best schedule for your garden. Here is what you should consider when making a fertilizing schedule for your garden:

Soil Type

There is quite a range of different soil types that you can find in gardens and each one has its own requirements when it comes to the kind of nutrients that it needed the amount and frequency of fertilizer application will also be dependent on the soil's nutrient content. Telling what kind of soil, you have just by looking can be tricky, however, you can purchase cheap and easy soil testing kits which will break down your soil’s nutrient content, pH, and other properties – this will be one of the best guidelines for determining the appropriate fertilizer schedule. Let’s take a quick look at the different soil types you may find.

Clay Soils - These heavy soils are notoriously difficult to work with, especially for first-time gardeners. This is because they hold a high quantity of water and drain very slowly which can lead to waterlogging and they are easily compacted when walked on while wet. Conversely, in periods of warm weather particularly summer, they bake hard due to being made up of over 25% Clay. However, despite its tricky nature once you get to grips with how to treat your soil it can be incredibly rewarding as clay soil tends to be fertile and nutrient-rich.

Water Clay soil slowly this way you can prevent over-watering which can lead to puddles and drainage issues also try to dig in organic matter such as composted bark as this will help to break up the clay making it easier for water and nutrient to reach the root of plants. When choosing a fertiliser ensure to pick one made for use on clay soil.

Sandy soils – Unlike clay soil, sandy soils are very light in nature and are unfortunately low in nutrients so need a little more TLC in order to help them nurture grass and over plants. Water passes through sandy soil very quickly which can make your plants more susceptible to drought during warm weather. This is why it is recommended to water sandy soil more frequently. Due to the lack of nutrients found in sandy soil, it is recommended to use a slow-release fertiliser with sandy soil in order to make up for the lack of nutrients. You can also balance out the loose particles by digging organic matter into your soil so that water and nutrients do not pass through as quickly.

Silt soils – Silt soils are very similar in nature to sandy soil as they are made up of fine particles that are prone to washing away and wind erosion where exposed (For example in borders and flower beds) Luckily this soil type holds nutrients and water better than sandy soils so does not require as frequent watering however slow release nutrients and organic matter are also recommended for this soil type.

Loam – The holy grail of soil types, this is a gardener’s dream come true as it is the perfect balance of all soil types meaning it holds water and nutrients well and is very fertile when correctly taken care of. You should aim to water loamy soil once a week (adjusting as needed) and maintain its condition with the use of organic matter.

Plant type

Another thing to consider when choosing the right fertiliser and the frequency is the different plants that you have in the yard (or wish to have) as they will have different nutrient requirements so you need to consider these specific needs – it is also worth mentioning that planting plants with similar needs will make your gardening experience much easier. For example, fruiting plants require more phosphorus and potassium than nitrogen, while leafy plants need more nitrogen. So be sure to check the requirements of your plants then purchase a fertiliser with the correct NPK levels to suit these needs. The same applies to lawns too, for example, if your grass is browning and sparse in some areas it is highly likely it does not have enough nitrogen.

Growth stage

Plants have different nutrient requirements at different growth stages, so it is important to understand that one schedule will not always work, and adjustments will need to be made when needed. For example, seedlings require more nitrogen than established plants, while plants in the flowering and fruiting stages require more phosphorus and potassium. So be sure to adjust your fertiliser type and schedule accordingly.

Climate

The climate and weather conditions in your area are also other important aspects to consider when and can greatly affect how often you need to fertilize your garden. In areas with heavy rainfall, nutrients can leach from the soil more quickly, requiring more frequent fertilizer application, while during dry periods and hot weather applying too much fertiliser especially if not watered down correctly can result in scorching, so you should also be prepared to adjust your fertilising routine based on the changes in weather that often come with the changing of seasons.

Fertilizer Type and Application Method

There are many different types of fertilizers, including granular, liquid, and slow-release fertilizers, each with its own application methods and recommended schedules. Choose the appropriate fertilizer type based on your plant’s needs as well as your own needs, for example, Granules can be easier to get even coverage and often offer slow-release nutrients while liquids are fast both to apply and use fast-release nutrients for an instant boost. The method of fertilizer application can also affect the frequency and amount of fertilizer required. For example, the foliar application involves spraying fertilizer directly onto the leaves, which can be more efficient than applying it to the soil.

In conclusion, creating a fertilizing schedule for your garden requires careful consideration of several factors, including soil type, plant type, growth stage, climate, fertilizer type and application method. These factors are subject to change so it is important to approach your fertiliser choice with flexibility and to take note of any changes in your yard so that you can alter your care routine in order to suit its needs at the time.