WHY WE PREFER FALL FERTILIZER
People naturally think of fertilizing, seeding and planting in the spring. However, there are great reasons why its sometimes better to do those tasks in the fall. Some plants maybe more difficult to find in the fall but you can usually get the available plants at a discount because the nursery’s want to clear out the plants before winter. More importantly when you plant in the spring there is a short window between spring and summer so the new plants require a lot of watering to survive. In the fall the soil usually has more moisture and because the weather is cool you only need to water a few times before the winter. After that last watering in the late fall, you don’t need to water again until June.
REASONS NOT TO FERTILIZE IN THE SPRING
Most people prefer to seed lawns in the spring even though you will have much better results in the fall. The soil temperature is warmer and there is almost no weed activity. Seeding in the spring when the soil is cold causes the grass to be slow to develop and when the warmer weather arrives it is usually taken over by crabgrass or other weeds.
Our Standard fertilizer injected into the soil in a liquid.
Stavroula applying a low nitrogen bio-stimulant to deep water a large healthy hemlock
WHY YOU SHOULD FERTILIZE IN THE FALL
Although the difference between fertilizing in the spring and fall is not quite as stark as planting grass seed, some of the same principals can apply. We fertilize throughout the growing season because we use a few different fertilizers for different application; A low nitrogen bio-stimulant for weak trees or for deep watering. A quick release nitrogen to provide a quick burst of energy when appropriate. However, our standard fertilizer is a balance of Nitrogen Phosphorous and Potassium. Which is often referred to as NPK, the three numbers you see on most fertilizer labels (see the photo below). When we use our standard fertilize 11 N, 22 P, 22 K in the fall the soil is still warm and the roots are actively absorbing nutrients. In the fall woody plants are slowly heading toward dormancy so they will store the fertilizer for the spring when they need the most energy. It takes a tremendous amount of energy to put out new growth therefore if the fertilizer is already active in the plants, they are better prepared to meet this challenge. We can fertilize now through November as long as the soil temperature is above 36 degrees Fahrenheit.
FALL FERTILIZer
If you plan to do aggressive pruning of old shrubs or evergreens in the late winter you should fertilize in the fall. As a general rule plants respond best to aggressive pruning in the late winter as they prepare to send out new growth in the spring. Plants react to this wounding by sprouting lower or interior growth. Fertilizing the fall before helps provide the plant with more energy causing an even greater response. This fertilizer generates a better return on investment on your pruning.
If you have questions about tree service or plant health care or would like an estimate, give us a call at 978-768-6999 or click here to contact us.
If you’d like to learn more about Late Summer To-Do List just click here.
For directions to Mayer Tree Service just click here.
If you’d like to visit us in Essex click here for directions.
Visit our Google Website for our Essex Location here.
If you’d like to visit us in Lincoln, click here for directions.
Visit our Google Website for our Lincoln Location here.