How often do you fertilize?

[craig mack]

Just curious how often you guys fertilize your plots? We only did it before we planted last year, and everything came out fine. But should we do it after also? We planted Hamann Farms Trefoil mix.

[dogdoc]

Re: How often do you fertilize?

I usually fertilize my perennials 3 times per year (time willing). Once early spring when everything is greening, once mid-summer right before rain, and once early fall--couple weeks before deer season to get the plot "tasting" really good.

todd

[wtnhunt]

Re: How often do you fertilize?

Yep, like Todd said, try to fertilize the perenials early spring, mid summer, and late summer to early fall.

[Guest luckyman4]

Re: How often do you fertilize?

I only fertilize if my plots need it, based on results from a soil test. If I am putting down fertilizer 3 times a year that the plants aren't using, then I am wasting time and money, both of which are generally in very short supply.

For legumes (clover, alfalfa, trefoil) I don't want to apply nitrogen to an established plot because it just promotes weed growth. Unfortuneately, at least around here, I've had a hard time finding a 0-10-10 type mix in package sizes that are useful for small foodplots (you can get it in bulk, for hay producers). So, what I do is lime and fertilize to bring up pH, P, and K levels as recomended in my soil tests when I plant (at planting, even legumes need some Nitrogen). From then on, I apply lime as needed to maintain pH levels and don't fertilize. The plants don't draw extreme amounts of P and K out of the soil, and if you have a good deer herd, their manure is helping to put back most of the nutrients the plants need anyway.

I should note that my plots are planted on soil that is pretty shallow and droughty, so a very dry year kills my clover. I am therefore happy if I get 3 or 4 years out of my plot, after which I replant and fertilize again. . . if you want a longer plot life, it may be necessary to fertilize more, but as I stated above, the deer manure (and leaving clippings when you mow) is putting back P and K. If your plot is overtaken by weeds due to excess nitrogen, you aren't going to get a longer plot life either.

If you can find a 0-10-10 or equivalent, then you could fertilize more often, but if the plants can't use the nutrients then, again, its a waste of time and money. The only way to know what nutrients your plot needs is to take a soil test.

[wtnhunt]

Re: How often do you fertilize?

Been using a 6-12-12 here on my clover and clover trefoil plots. Works pretty well for me and can be found at most farm or garden supply type stores.