As our growing season is growing towards a close the plants are working hard underground to store energy and build reserves for next season.  One easy way we can give our plants a boost for a successful 2019 is to fertilize them now.  Read more below about what you can do for now your lawn, roses, and perennials.

Another fall activity that will bring spring-time joy is to plant bulbs.  We have an extensive collection of daffodils, tulips, and many other interesting varieties for your garden.

In the meantime you can still receive more immediate gratification by planting fall veggies and some of the many perennials, shrubs and trees that we have on sale! 

FERTILIZATING

Our days are shorter, the weather is hopefully cooling down and we look forward to getting more rain. Together, this means fall is a good planting season and the best time to fertilize.

Right up until plants go dormant, fall is when perennials, shrubs and trees make 60% or more of their feeder root growth. In fact, roots will continue to grow for 2 weeks after leaves fall. Still, the longer the plants have to establish a strong root system, the better they can absorb water and survive winter and Colorado’s often shocking spring weather.

Fall is THE best time to fertilize turf, perennials, trees, shrubs and even roses, IF you use organic fertilizers. Fall is when plants store food in their roots for spring energy, and fall is when fruit trees, berry bushes and flowering shrubs form their flower and fruit buds. If this year’s crop was very productive or if the plants suffered from fireblight or other stresses, fall fertilization is doubly important for next year’s health and performance.

Fall fertilization is also the best time for your wallet:

Our large bag fertilizers are 40% off – the lowest that they will be all year!! 

LAWNS 

September is the best time of year to aerate your lawn. Aeration should be followed with fertilizer and ideally with a quarter inch of compost topdressing. This will help to thicken up sparse lawns and help to prevent fungal diseases. Fall is also an excellent time to apply Corn Gluten, the organic weed and feed. Its 9% nitrogen replaces fall fertilization and it prevents weeds.

Richlawn 8-2-1 Lawn Fertilizer

Is a 100% organic product comprised of dehydrated made from chicken manure, blood meal, and feather meal.  It is certified by OMRI for organic use.  It is ideal for lawns, veggies, and roses. One bag covers 2,000 square feet.  The CU Cooperative Extension Service recommends using Richlawn for all fruiting plants, including grapes, currants, and raspberries.

Coop Poop, 2-4-3

Coop Poop is a well-composted and economical chicken manure from an egg farm.  It is a low odor, high performance product that supports flowering and fruiting and soil life.  It’s 8% calcium helps make strong cell walls and roots which leads to disease resistance and supports photosynthesis. It is great for lawns and shrubs.

EKO Lawn Topdressing

A very fine compost that disappears into turf, especially after aeration.  It spreads easily around perennials, provides nutrition, holds water, feeds the worms & soil life.  For best results use with an organic fertilizer.

Alpha One Fertilizer, 7-2-2

Is one of long-time favorite all-around fertilizers. Formulated in Loveland for Colorado soils, it is a non-toxic, non-burning slow-release fertilizer that won’t harm beneficial fungi, bacteria or earthworms.  It’s ingredients include alfalfa, cottonseed meal, blood meal, and sunflower.

Corn Gluten

Now is the time to apply Corn Gluten (and again in again in late February/March) to prevent the majority of existing weed seeds from germinating.  By doing this every year, you can virtually eliminate your weed problem.  Kelly Grummons – Timerline Gardens, July  2010.

Corn Gluten is a non-toxic, weed-and-feed with 9% nitrogen. It works by inhibiting seed germination, but is harmless to plants with root systems, people, worms, and microorganisms.  (Since it inhibits seed germination, postpone sowing your grass seed for another month or so.)  The effect of the corn gluten can last up to 6 months and is especially useful in lawns.

ROSES

This week the Mile High Rose Society is fertilizing the lovely roses at the Dushanbe Tea House in Boulder.  This is the ideal time for you to fertilize your roses as well!  We recommend a 50:50 blend of Mile Hi Rose Feed and Alfalfa Meal for best results.

Mile-Hi Rose Feed, 7-8-4

Is a mixture blended specifically for Colorado conditions. It contains plant nutrient compounds and organic mixture of alfalfa and kelp, encouraging root growth while boosting overall plant health, promoting repeat flowering & strength.  As an organic fertilizer, it is ideal for September use.

Alfalfa Meal

Alfalfa meal breaks down when in contact with soil organisms and triggers the release of soil nutrients.  When used with Mile-Hi Rose Feed, alfalfa meal helps produce healthier foliage, better stems, more basal breaks and greater plant vigor.