fertilizing

[DinaJean]

I have a couple questions about some "natural" fewrtilizers.

Goat manure. I created a tea from some very old dried manure. I fertilized my newly planted Leyland Cypress about 1 month ago. They seem to love it. When should I fertilize again? I dont want to over fertilize, I dont have any idea how much is too much.

Also, a friend told me a friend of hers saw a garden show that said you put a whole egg, uncooked, below a plant when planting and the protein leaks out and gives the newly planted plant a growth spurt. Any thoughts on that??

Thanks in advance for any advice. Dina in SC:)

[Newt]

I was going through my mailbox and looking for any questions I hadn't answered when I stumbled across yours.* I think you wrote this while I was away doggie sitting my daughter's dogs.* Please forgive me for not answering this sooner.* :?*

Generally newly planted trees and shrubs should NOT be fertilized for 6 months to a year.* Using a natural aka organic fertilizer is gentler on the plant as it feeds the soil that feeds the plant, so I'm sure there was no harm done.* Since it's already August and the colder weather will be here soon, I would suggest that you not fertilize, if at all, until next spring.* Many trees, shrubs and plants will slow down their growth in temps over 90*F.* Then they will do another spurt before the colder weather sets in.* Fertilizing in fall can cause a flush of growth that won't have time to harden off before a possible sudden frost.* That can cause damage to the tender tissues.

I've never heard of using a raw egg.* The shell contains calcium that is good for plants and in helping flowering plants bloom.* Blossom end rot in tomatoes, peppers and others can be controlled with extra calcium.* You could also use bone meal added to the planting hole for the same effect as the egg shells.* I've not heard of plants needing protein.*

I save the cooled water from hard or soft boiled eggs and use that to water my plants.* I also use cooled veggie cooking water if no salt has been added.* I just add some plain water to it so I have enough to water a few plants.* The plants like the extra minerals.* When I finish a container of milk or cream, I add water to it and water my house plants and outdoor potted plants.* The calcium aids in blooming and with the uptake of other minerals.* I've read that calcium is needed more then any other element.* This site has some great info on nutrients for plants and how they interact with each other.
http://www.greenhands.com/soil/index.html

Newt

[DinaJean]

Hey Newt...THANKS!!!! I am so excited about using the veggie water for plants, I HATE wasting a thing. What about potato water?

Also, the milk water you speak of, I only use soy milk, can I do the same with it? I use the unsweetened unflavored kind.

You are still the GURU in my eyes, love ya !!!

[Newt]

That's a really good question about the potato water.* Funny, but I don't use the water from potatoes or corn.* It just seems like there are too much starch* in it.* Maybe I'm afraid my plants will get fat from the carbs?* :shock:*

My son drinks soy milk and when he returns home and leaves behind a container, I use it to water my plants.* I just add a tablespoon to the watering can each time I water.* It doesn't seem to bother the plants.* I've used rice milk too.

Thanks for the hugs!* Same to you and your wonderful kitties.* :dude:

Newt

[greeness]

Here's a link to an article about how to start a compost heap, in case you're interested. You can recycle a lot of lawn and garden waste (vegetable matter) and kitchen waste (vegetable matter) and the result will be a great source of free "food" for your lawn and gardens!

http://www.allaboutlawns.com/lawn-ma...ompost-bin.php

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