Question RE: Applying Plant Food With Mulch

GardenPeach · June 26, 2014

Hello,

This is my first time using mulch and a monthly plant feed when gardening and have a question for those who apply a monthly vegetable plant food. Is it OK to spread/sprinkle the plant food over the mulch then water or is it best to move the mulch from around the plant, sprinkle the plant food on the soil, water and then put the mulch back?

Thanks!
Steve

COMPOSTER · June 26, 2014

Hi Steve,

I would move the mulch aside and gently (so as not to disturb any roots) work the fert into the top inch or so of soil and then replace the mulch. Also, depending on what kind of mulch you are using you may not need to use that much fert as the mulch should break down over time and feed the soil which will feed the plants.

Glenn

dpurdy · June 26, 2014

Steve,
I use granular fertilizer in the soil prior to planting. During the growing season I use a fertilizer that dissolves in water so that I can foliar feed plants or apply directly to the soil. You can apply a granular fertilizer as Glenn suggested, but using a liquid will act faster than using a granular fertilizer. As stated in the previous post, be careful not to disturb the root system.
dpurdy

SharonRossy · June 26, 2014

Hi I agree with dpurdy. When using slow release fertilizers generally mix them in the potting medium before planting, then follow up with a water soluble fertilizer. That way you don't gave to disturb anything. That being said, some monthly fertilizers only have to be sprinkled on top and then watered in which case I would simply add it on top of the mulch.

b54red · June 26, 2014

I now only use fertilizer that is applied with water after the plants are set out and mulched. I prefer Texas Tomato Food and just water it in on the mulch. It is just so much easier than moving mulch and I think more effective. With a good heavy mulch the tomato roots will sometimes be right under the mulch making working the soil difficult without disturbing the roots.

Bill

June 26, 2014	#1
GardenPeach Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Illinois Posts: 21	Question RE: Applying Plant Food With Mulch Hello, This is my first time using mulch and a monthly plant feed when gardening and have a question for those who apply a monthly vegetable plant food. Is it OK to spread/sprinkle the plant food over the mulch then water or is it best to move the mulch from around the plant, sprinkle the plant food on the soil, water and then put the mulch back? Thanks! Steve

June 26, 2014	#2
COMPOSTER Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Connecticut Posts: 252	Hi Steve, I would move the mulch aside and gently (so as not to disturb any roots) work the fert into the top inch or so of soil and then replace the mulch. Also, depending on what kind of mulch you are using you may not need to use that much fert as the mulch should break down over time and feed the soil which will feed the plants. Glenn Last edited by COMPOSTER; June 26, 2014 at 12:47 PM. Reason: spelling

June 26, 2014	#3
dpurdy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Norwich, New York Posts: 255	Steve, I use granular fertilizer in the soil prior to planting. During the growing season I use a fertilizer that dissolves in water so that I can foliar feed plants or apply directly to the soil. You can apply a granular fertilizer as Glenn suggested, but using a liquid will act faster than using a granular fertilizer. As stated in the previous post, be careful not to disturb the root system. dpurdy

June 26, 2014	#4
SharonRossy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,140	Hi I agree with dpurdy. When using slow release fertilizers generally mix them in the potting medium before planting, then follow up with a water soluble fertilizer. That way you don't gave to disturb anything. That being said, some monthly fertilizers only have to be sprinkled on top and then watered in which case I would simply add it on top of the mulch.

June 26, 2014	#5
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	I now only use fertilizer that is applied with water after the plants are set out and mulched. I prefer Texas Tomato Food and just water it in on the mulch. It is just so much easier than moving mulch and I think more effective. With a good heavy mulch the tomato roots will sometimes be right under the mulch making working the soil difficult without disturbing the roots. Bill