Fertilizer Recs

Lots of options out there, isn’t there.

This is what I’m using, while not saying they’re any better than other products on the market.

Lesco 14-14-14 Polycoat (extended release) on shrubs and trees, including fruit trees (citrus, pears, Jap persimmons) and herbaceous perennials, applied once in spring. Actually, twice a year (Feb/Mar, again in May/June) b/c these are all newly planted (past year or 2) and I’m trying to push their growth. But I’ll cut back to once per year, in a couple more years. ETA: Also have used Fertilome Growers Special. ETA again: Paid $36 for 40 lb bag of Lesco 14-14-14

Lesco 24-2-11 for lawn. ETA: paid $26 for 50 lb bag

Osmocote Plus 15-9-12 on container plants, supplemented on occasion with water soluble (liquid) - Miracle Gro (12-4-8). Just bought a 50 lb bag of the Osmocote from A.M. Leonards (on-line) - wait for a free shipping coupon. Expensive ($100; ouch), but the bag should last several years. Cheaper in the long run if you have lots of large containers. I’ve been planting a bunch of different things in 15 gal black poly nursery containers in the past couple years, prob a 12 or more containers, thus I could justify a 50 lb bag purchase.

Vegetable Garden - standard 13-13-13 (quick release) - no specific brand name, just wherever is available when I go buy it. Mixed in the garden bed prior to planting. Supplemented with calcium nitrate when the vegetable plants begin to flower. Sometimes supplement with soluble (liquid) Miracle Gro when the plants are young. ETA; I’ve also used Ferilome Gardeners Special.

Annuals - not planting many of those anymore but usually use the 13-13-13 mixed in the bed prior to planting. Sometimes supplement with liquid fertilizer when plants are young. Also used Fertilome Gardeners Special.

The Lesco fertilizers I purchase from SiteOne in BTR, and for other SiteOne stores look on line. Their pricing is very good.

Application rates - following the label directions on the bag/container is your best bet. But if you read reputable articles for specific plants specific to your geographical location, take azaleas for example, I’ll follow the articles recommendations on fertilizer application rates. Same for the 13-13-13 for vegetable beds. I will always follow LSU AgCenter recommendations when possible.

P.S. On acid loving plants I’ll use an acid forming fertilizer. The Lesco 14-14-14 Polycoat is an acid forming fertilizer - the nitrogen sources are ammoniacal-nitrogen and urea, coated with sulfur, all which are acid forming. Will also use elemental sulfur or iron sulfate to acidify the soil if needed (azaleas, camellias, blueberries, and some others).

quote:

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You in Louisiana? If not, have you cut your lawn at least twice for the grass, not the winter weeds that might have been growing

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I'm in LA but haven't had to cut my yard yet. Grass (St Aug) is green, just not growing tall yet.

Thanks, I'll pick some of this up and see how it goes. Has to be better than the other stuff (Green Thumb) that I used to put down.