| 15 April 2006
Spring is upon us, and it’s time to resume fertilizing our plants. The options for feeding plants however, can be a bit unnerving.  Do we buy granules, spikes, or liquid?  Is it necessary to buy specialized plant foods, or should you use a general-purpose blend or compost?
Store-bought fertilizers are a more convenient option. Our personal preference is to use a mild liquid plant food such as Miracle-Gro. These types of fertilizers can be used frequently, without damaging the plant. Be sure to use potting soil with time-release fertilizer granules mixed in when repotting. Begin using liquid plant food when the recommended three to six months is up.
Occasionally plants need specific types of fertilizer, such as Ironite. These will need to be used less frequently. Many types of fertilizers can damage the plant if not diluted properly, or if used too frequently. Read the directions carefully. Purchasing plant food formulated specifically for your particular plant is useful, but generally not crucial. Â
Fertilizers which are available in beads, pills, spikes, and granules release nutrients slowly over a long period of time. These should be used less frequently than liquid forms.
Compost, the most natural fertilizer, can be bought but is actually quite easy to make. Â You can use yard waste, grass clippings, autumn leaves, shrub trimmings, vegetable peels, or even ashes. Many gardening purists use only compost for basic feeding needs.
Feed your plants most generously in late spring/early summer, and gradually cut back from there until mid winter, when you’re not feeding at all.Â