| The nutrients in soil-less potting soil generally lasts | | | | irreparable damage by shocking the plant roots with |
| about six weeks before they are drained away by | | | | too many chemicals at once. |
| watering, while soil-based potting soils will retain their | | | | By using a slow-release dry plant food according to |
| nutrients for as much as eight to ten weeks. After | | | | directions. If you prefer the liquid variety, make sure |
| that period of time, it is best to offer your plants a | | | | you dilute it by following the instructions listed on the |
| granular, slow-release plant food to maintain healthy | | | | package or container and apply only after a thorough |
| roots, stems, leaves and flowers. | | | | watering. |
| Some types of granular plant food looks like little | | | | When looking for the best plant foods, you need to |
| caviar eggs, or small round pellets. This type of | | | | find a good ratio of the balance between nitrogen |
| granular food can be added to potting mix in the | | | | (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). The ratio of |
| spring. Timing in important when adding plant food in | | | | these ingredients will be listed on the package in this |
| any form to your container garden specimens. | | | | type of format: NPK 6:4:4 or something similar. |
| A dry, granular type of fertilizer will only help boost | | | | Remember that plant foods can be customized for |
| root systems when the plants are in an actual | | | | different plants and purposes. There are plant foods |
| growing process. Adding more plant food than | | | | designed for flowers and fruits, as well as |
| necessary according to package direction will not help | | | | vegetables, shrubs and both outside gardens and |
| you plants grow bigger, brighter or cause them to | | | | those specifically designed to work best with |
| flower more often or bear more fruit. In reality, | | | | container gardens |
| providing too much plant food in any form can cause | | | | Copyright © Larry Gildea, All Rights Reserved. |