Follow Us!
† Requires Javascript
Copyright © 1997-2009 Demand Media. All rights reserved.
|
| Member | Message |
|---|---|
 |
Posted: Jun/15/2009 5:59 AM PST
Hello! I'm a newbie here, and fairly new to gardening in the Northwest. Love this site. We have very poor soil out here in North Idaho, and supplement with topsoil and Miracle Grow Potting Soil often. My question is, when using this brand, should I still add nutrients as usual? In other words, could I overfertilize/burn my plants if I supplement too early? Thanks. |
 |
Posted: Jun/15/2009 6:25 AM PST
You're using it directly in the ground? If it's the kind with fertilizer additives I'd think after awhile it would leech out, but for the time period it's supposed to work I wouldn't add extra fertilizer. After it's broken down awhile and is just a soil amendment to loosen your dirt then it would probably be okay to add some fertilizers. If it's just regular potting soil with no nutrients fertilizer would be a good idea if your plants look like they need it. Some things just need good soil to grow. |
 |
Posted: Jun/15/2009 10:25 AM PST
Miracle grow used directly in the garden too often can cause salt build up. It is good in pots because the salts rinse out as the water drains out the bottom of the pot. In the garden directly though it takes a lot longer to leach out. To improve the soil it is much better to add compost, leaf mold, regular potting soil, straw mulch, gypsum, bone meal, things like this. 
|
 |
Posted: Jun/15/2009 11:52 AM PST
You gals are good! I did not know that..hmmm Although I dont do that myself, its nice to know. 
|
|
|
Posted: Jun/15/2009 12:23 PM PST
Sure is. I would have thought it would dissolve faster in the ground. Thanks for the correction! 
|
|
|
Posted: Jun/15/2009 12:32 PM PST
Poe, that is really a common misconception. But I saw a story on Miracle Grow a while back and there is one of the chemicals they use in their fertilizer that breaks down into salt. (this same thing is in the cheaper water storing crystals) In a pot you tend to water heavy and this will flush out these salts. (have you ever noticed when you water pots that the water flushes out yellow/brown?) In the garden though it has to try and find a place to go. It will flush out eventually but it is slower. I'm not saying not to use Miracle Grow because it has it's time and place. Just be careful when and where you use it.
|
|
|
Posted: Jun/15/2009 6:05 PM PST
Thank you! Great information. 
|
 |
Posted: Jun/15/2009 7:26 PM PST
Amending your soil with potting soil must be very expensive! There are much cheaper alternatives, depending on what your soil is lacking. All soils benefit from compost and/or manure. Clay soil should be amended with sharp sand. Sowing various grasses and tilling them into the soil is very beneficial. Growing peas and/or beans sets nitrogen in the soil. |
† Requires Javascript
Copyright © 1997-2009 Demand Media. All rights reserved.
