Pacific Northwest Garden Forum: What fertilizer should I be using?

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Message

bob632
Rainy Side New

Joined: Mar-31-2010
Location: Washington, Cowlitz River Valley
Posts: 1

Topic: What fertilizer should I be using?
Posted: Mar-31-2010 at 9:00am

I just joined this group and was very pleased to find a forum that was specific to our area. I live northwest of Longview in Washington state. I think I should be using some fertilizer on my new trees that I planted last spring. Can anyone suggest a good all around fertilizer for both ornamental shade trees as well as for fruit trees?
Thanks,
Bob

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ronymelson
Rainy Side New

Joined: Apr-22-2010
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posts: 3

Posted: Apr-23-2010 at 2:51am

I think that a fertilizer with a ratio of approximately 3:1:2 or 3:1:3 in its multiples as in, for example 12-4-8 or 15-5-15 are generally recommended. Fertilizers with a ratio of 4:1:2 as in 16-4-8 can also be used.

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tommyb
Rainy Side Gardener

Joined: May-01-2004
Location: Oregon, Willamette Valley
Posts: 769

Posted: Apr-24-2010 at 10:05am

Hey fellows! Welcome aboard the Rainyside.

I don't usually wave the organic flag, although I follow the practice, but the "formal" Rainyside practice is to fertilize organically. That being said, I would suggest a search for your local Master Gardener program. Those folks usually know the local practices as well as anyone and should be able to point you in the right direction.

And that being said, I don't usually fertilize trees. Trees are long lived plants and need, in my humble opinion, to take their time sending out roots and getting used to the local soil. A good coat of mulch is as fancy as I would go for a tree.

Do what makes you happy, just don't over feed your tree and cause it to be addicted to junk food.

Tom

Favorite Tool: Potato Hook

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DebbieTT
Admin Group

Sunset zone 5, USDA zone 8

Joined: Jan-25-2003
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posts: 4306

Posted: Apr-24-2010 at 4:09pm

What Tomasina said. Unless you have exceptionally poor soil, don't fertilize. However, if you insist, use an organic fertilizer.

When the going gets tough, the tough need a hug.

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Phlox
Rainy Side Gardener

Joined: Feb-25-2004
Location: Washington, Southwestern
Posts: 401

Posted: Apr-24-2010 at 6:13pm

I agree with Tommy and Debbie, a good organic mulch should do it.

I mulched in a small Dogwood last fall, maybe a foot and a half tall, its already almost a foot taller and has 10 blossoms on it already....... I gave it the good stuff!!

"The only limit to your garden is at the boundaries of your imagination." -Thomas D.Church

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silver_ creek
Rainy Side Gardener

Joined: Jan-08-2006
Location: Washington, Western Cascade Foothills
Posts: 666

Posted: Apr-25-2010 at 7:27am

Giving too much nitrogen to woody plants can make them vulnerable to weak wood (growing too fast). A good compost mulch is ideal. If you really feel you need to fertilize, use an organic fertilize that is formulated for trees and shrubs, and look for one that has micronutrients such as zinc, boron, manganese...often a lack of these has more impact than a lack of nitrogen.

Terry M.
Silver Creek Garden
Zone 8a, Sunset Zone 4

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Woody Plants
Pacific Northwest Garden Forum : The Gardens : Woody Plants

Author	Message
bob632 Rainy Side New Joined: Mar-31-2010 Location: Washington, Cowlitz River Valley Posts: 1	Topic: What fertilizer should I be using? Posted: Mar-31-2010 at 9:00am
	I just joined this group and was very pleased to find a forum that was specific to our area. I live northwest of Longview in Washington state. I think I should be using some fertilizer on my new trees that I planted last spring. Can anyone suggest a good all around fertilizer for both ornamental shade trees as well as for fruit trees? Thanks, Bob

	IP Logged

ronymelson Rainy Side New Joined: Apr-22-2010 Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor Posts: 3	Posted: Apr-23-2010 at 2:51am
	I think that a fertilizer with a ratio of approximately 3:1:2 or 3:1:3 in its multiples as in, for example 12-4-8 or 15-5-15 are generally recommended. Fertilizers with a ratio of 4:1:2 as in 16-4-8 can also be used.
	IP Logged

tommyb Rainy Side Gardener Joined: May-01-2004 Location: Oregon, Willamette Valley Posts: 769	Posted: Apr-24-2010 at 10:05am
	Hey fellows! Welcome aboard the Rainyside. I don't usually wave the organic flag, although I follow the practice, but the "formal" Rainyside practice is to fertilize organically. That being said, I would suggest a search for your local Master Gardener program. Those folks usually know the local practices as well as anyone and should be able to point you in the right direction. And that being said, I don't usually fertilize trees. Trees are long lived plants and need, in my humble opinion, to take their time sending out roots and getting used to the local soil. A good coat of mulch is as fancy as I would go for a tree. Do what makes you happy, just don't over feed your tree and cause it to be addicted to junk food. Tom
	Favorite Tool: Potato Hook
	IP Logged

DebbieTT Admin Group Sunset zone 5, USDA zone 8 Joined: Jan-25-2003 Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula Posts: 4306	Posted: Apr-24-2010 at 4:09pm
	What Tomasina said. Unless you have exceptionally poor soil, don't fertilize. However, if you insist, use an organic fertilizer.
	When the going gets tough, the tough need a hug.
	IP Logged

Phlox Rainy Side Gardener Joined: Feb-25-2004 Location: Washington, Southwestern Posts: 401	Posted: Apr-24-2010 at 6:13pm
	I agree with Tommy and Debbie, a good organic mulch should do it. I mulched in a small Dogwood last fall, maybe a foot and a half tall, its already almost a foot taller and has 10 blossoms on it already....... I gave it the good stuff!!
	"The only limit to your garden is at the boundaries of your imagination." -Thomas D.Church
	IP Logged

silver_ creek Rainy Side Gardener Joined: Jan-08-2006 Location: Washington, Western Cascade Foothills Posts: 666	Posted: Apr-25-2010 at 7:27am
	Giving too much nitrogen to woody plants can make them vulnerable to weak wood (growing too fast). A good compost mulch is ideal. If you really feel you need to fertilize, use an organic fertilize that is formulated for trees and shrubs, and look for one that has micronutrients such as zinc, boron, manganese...often a lack of these has more impact than a lack of nitrogen.
	Terry M. Silver Creek Garden Zone 8a, Sunset Zone 4
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