Fertilizing Your Trees

Tree fertilizing is almost like taking care of pool water, you have to test the soil, and see how much nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is in it. This is how you will determine what type of fertizlizer you will need to help your tree grow. Forestryabout.com says that the "N-P-K rates of 18-5-9, 27-3-3, or 16-4-8" is what you should stick with. Most often you only need to worry about the nitrogen levels, since the P and K ratios are already measured in the fertilizer.

Applying fertilizer is most often used when mulching in the early spring and summer, to help with water absorption, which helps promote root growth. You will need to determine whether you want to use organic or inorganic fertilizer. The difference is, organic is much safer on the environment and more expensive, but releases the nutrients slower, where as the inorganic is a chemical and less expensive, and works faster.

If you are looking for some excellent fertilizers, here are the top two inorganic fertilizers and the top three organic fertilizers you should try before using anything else, especially if your looking for quality trees. The Inorganic fertilizers should only be applied to established trees, trees that have root growth in the ground. Organic fertilizers can be used in newly planted trees or inside the hole you plan to plant the tree.

Inorganic Fertilizers

* Scott's Miracle Grow Inorganic

Trees, Shrubs, and Evergreen spikes. These spikes offer an all year round application, as it sits in the ground, it slowly releases nutrients into the soil. The nutrients is sent straight to the roots, and does not burn them.

* Jobe's Fertilizer Spikes

You can find this product at any Ace Hardware Store. These spikes offer nutrients to the roots, and release slower than liquids. Will not burn your roots, and you can even buy it online at www.acehardware.com.

Organic Fertilizers

* Scott's Miracle Grow Organic

Scott's Organic formulas can come in liquid concentrate, soil, bone meal, or potting mix. Either formula you use, you are sure to have excellent tree growth.

* Seasol

A kelp bases organic formula that is inriched with nutrients. 100% organic fertilizer meant for any types of plants or trees. It provides vitamins and lacks any type of nitrogen or phosophurus. This is an excellent choice for transplanting trees.

* Aggrand

This 100% organic fertilizer comes in four types, organic, bone meal, liquid lime, and Kelp and Sulfate. You can purchase these in small bottles or in bulk online at www.liquidorganicfertilizer.com for the same price as inorganic liquids.

Sources:

www.acehardware.com, Ace Hardware Store

www.aggrand.com, Aggrand

commercial.seasol.com.au, Seasol

www.scotts.com/smg/, Scott's Miracle Gro/index.php