Summer is a time of active growth and flowering for most ornamental plants. In maintaining the health and beauty of flowers, fertilization plays a crucial role, as it provides plants with the necessary nutrients.
However, when applying fertilizers, it is important to remember that excess nutrients can harm plants, and incorrectly chosen formulations can disrupt soil balance.
How to properly apply fertilizers in summer
Let’s look at the basic principles of summer feeding for a flower garden.
At the beginning of summer, many ornamental plants, especially annuals, actively grow green mass and form buds, so during this period nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are needed in balanced proportions. In the second half of the season, when flowering is in full swing, the focus shifts to phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, which prolong blooming, strengthen the root system, and help perennials prepare for winter.
The number of summer feedings depends on the soil in the area and the general condition of the plants. However, annual flowers are usually fertilized once during summer – during bud formation. Perennials need two feedings: the first before flowering, the second after. The first feeding helps increase the number and size of flowers and stimulates longer blooming; the second enables perennials to form buds for the next season and gain strength before the upcoming winter.
Basic fertilizer application rules:
- Slightly water the soil before feeding. Thanks to moist soil, nutrients will be evenly distributed, more quickly reach the roots, and be fully absorbed by plants.
- Feed the flower garden in the morning or evening to avoid sunburn.
- To avoid nutrient imbalance, alternate organic and mineral fertilizers.
- Remember that it is better to underfeed than to overfeed, as excess fertilizers suppress plant development and worsen flowering.
Organic fertilizers for the flower garden
Organic fertilizers not only enrich the soil with beneficial microelements but also improve its structure and stimulate the activity of beneficial microorganisms. Organics work more slowly than mineral mixes, but their effect is longer-lasting and gentler on plants. However, organics should be used carefully to avoid nitrogen excess in the soil or root burn.
One of the most popular organic fertilizers is humus. It saturates the soil with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and makes it looser, which contributes to better water and air penetration to the roots. In summer, it is recommended to apply humus as mulch or incorporate it into the soil around plants by light loosening.
Mature compost is also an excellent means for summer feeding. It is easy to make yourself using kitchen scraps, weeds, and fallen leaves. Compost is evenly distributed on the soil surface so nutrients gradually penetrate to the roots.
During the summer, liquid organic feedings can be used. For example, an infusion of mullein or bird droppings. To prepare the infusion, simply dilute one part organics in 10-15 parts water and let it steep for several days. This type of feeding is great for enriching the soil with nitrogen, which is necessary for plant growth.
Fresh manure is not applied in summer, as it can burn roots. Instead, rotted horse manure or mullein is used for flower feeding. For this, dissolve 1 kg of manure in a bucket of water and leave it for a day. Then dilute it by half with water and water the flower garden. After feeding, it’s advisable to loosen and mulch the soil.
Instead of manure, diluted bird droppings can be used for summer flower feeding. To prepare a nutrient infusion, pour 15-20 parts of water over 1 part droppings and infuse for about two weeks. After that, dilute the infusion in water at a ratio of 0.5 L per 10 L of water and use it to water the flower bed. Organic infusions are beneficial for roses, peonies, and other vigorous flowers but not suitable for bulbous plants, marigolds, asters, nasturtiums.
Herbal infusion (from nettle, dandelion, goutweed, or other weeds) is an excellent nitrogen-potassium fertilizer. Chop the greens, fill a 10-liter bucket about 2/3 full, and fill with water almost to the top. Cover with a lid with holes and steep for 2-3 weeks, stirring daily. Before use, dilute the finished infusion with water in a 1:10 ratio and water plants at the root. This feeding is especially useful in the first half of summer for annual flowers.
Flowers respond well to feeding with wood ash. To prepare an ash infusion, dissolve 200 g of ash in 10 L of water. Water the plants at the root. Ash can be mixed with other organic fertilizers, such as mullein. However, it should be added to mullein or chicken manure infusion just before use.
Mineral fertilizers for ornamental plants
Mineral fertilizers act faster than organics and allow you to quickly eliminate deficiencies of specific elements. However, improper use can lead to root burns or over-saturation of the soil. Therefore, it is important to strictly follow the instructions on the packaging and not exceed the dosage.
Annual flowers, which experience active shoot growth in June, need nitrogen at the beginning of summer. But organics are not suitable for all plants. For example, it is highly undesirable to fertilize petunias with organics. To replenish nitrogen, it is better to feed petunias with urea.
During the budding and flowering stages, phosphorus and potassium are applied (for example, superphosphate and potassium sulfate). They strengthen roots, enhance flower brightness, and improve plant resistance to drought and other adverse conditions. Fertilizers can be dissolved in water (according to instructions) or incorporated into the soil during loosening.
To feed a flower garden in summer, you can also use complex fertilizers (for example, nitroammophoska) or universal mixes for flowering plants (Fertika, Agricola etc.). Ready-made mixes are very convenient, as they contain a balanced set of elements. For flowering plants, choose compositions labeled "For flower beds" or "For flowering plants."
Mineral fertilizers are diluted in water and applied under the root, avoiding contact with leaves and flowers. Granular fertilizers can also be used—they are scattered around plants on slightly moist soil and lightly incorporated into the ground.
If you notice that plants have started to bloom less or their leaves have acquired an unnatural (yellowish, reddish, purplish, etc.) tint, pay attention to specialized fertilizers. For example, use iron- or magnesium-based products for yellowing leaves.
In summer, ornamental plants actively expend their resources on forming buds, flowers, and seeds. As a result, even the most fertile soil gradually becomes depleted, and flowers begin to experience a nutrient deficiency. This may manifest as weak and short blooming, leaf paleness, and reduced decorative quality. To support plants, it is important to provide them with balanced nutrition that combines organic and mineral fertilizers.
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