Fertilizer

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White_Hydrangea Aurora, CO(Zone 5a) Aug 28, 2006

I've used Miracle-Gro rose and vegetable food all my life and have gotten good results. But this is a chemical fertilizer, right? And maybe not the best choice if I'm trying to go in an organic direction? I probably won't throw it out, but what are its pros and cons? What would be best to replace it with, if I were going to?

I'll be growing the gamut, eventually. Roses, bulbs, perennials, annuals, herbs, shrubs, and of course veggies and fruits.

This message was edited Aug 30, 2006 10:51 PM

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greenjay Centennial, CO(Zone 5b) Aug 31, 2006

mulch, compost, and more mulch. You need to build your soil up, not just fertilize your plants.

I have arranged with everyone I know to take their fall leaves so they don't have to throw them away. You could do the same.

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fly_girl The Woodlands, TX(Zone 8b) Aug 31, 2006

WH, I use Milorganite, it's sewage sludge, so you might want to google it before you put it on your veggies, to know what it's made of. The label is approved for food crops, EPA has strict guidelines for the level of heavy metals allowed. It's 6-2-0 and slow released.

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balvenie Marysville, WA(Zone 7a) Sep 01, 2006

I've been weaned from chemicals of late and found "the Complete Natural Gardner" by D.W. Trotter to be the greatest help. Lots of "recipes" for fertilizers to fit various situations. published by Hay House. ISBN1-56170-716-3

Right on target greenjay. Do you shred or compost the leaves first ? My Ginkgo leaves tend to mat, and shredding them with the electric lawnmower doesn't work all that well.

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greenjay Centennial, CO(Zone 5b) Sep 01, 2006

I stomp on the leaves. If there are any kids around, I invite them to help me stomp the leaves. Then I cover them in horse manure. I try not to stomp on it any more after that.

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linedancer Fort McCoy, FL Sep 29, 2006

I recently purchased 2 banana shrubs. I put them into new clay pots with Miracle Grow potting soil. One is doing great and the other have 2 leaves and they don't look very good etiher. I called the greenhouse where I purchased them from and they said NEVER put tropicals in fertilizer. Anyone ever heard of this?

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DanceyTx Midway, TX(Zone 8b) Oct 01, 2006

We have several banana trees in the ground with MG potting soil and mushroom compost. They are doing good. Sometimes they will look sort of bad but usually they bounce right back.
Lin

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