Archives for Fertilization

fertilizer

Best Months to Fertilize Grass

The best time to fertilize a lawn is often confusing for South Florida residents. The grass may look green, but that doesn’t mean it’s growing at a rate that requires a nutritional supplement.

Most grass has an active growing cycle and a period of dormancy when it rests. Turf grass in South Florida is different, as it grows year-round. Never fertilize unless the grass is in a high growth phase.

Established Lawns

A lawn should receive their first fertilizer application during the spring. The best time is mid-February, approximately 2 weeks after the first new growth appears. Fertilizer will need to be applied two more times during each season – one in the summer and one in the fall.

Be careful when making the last application in the autumn. Don’t fertilize any later than mid-September. The grass won’t be able to absorb as many nutrients and the fertilizer may be washed into waterways where it can contribute to algae blooms.

New Lawns

For lawns that have been recently planted or installed, it’s best to wait 2 to 3 months before applying fertilizer for the first time. The grass needs time to establish itself and sink down roots.

Type of Fertilizer

Homeowners should look for a fertilizer that provides fast and slow-release nitrogen. It should contain 2 percent phosphorous or lower to comply with Florida State Law. Individuals will also need to know how many square feet their lawn encompasses and use instructions on the bag to apply the correct amount.

Keep it Simple

Everyone wants a lush, green carpet of grass. It takes planning to accomplish that goal. Individuals are well able to apply their own fertilizer and at the right times. However, for those that don’t feel confident in their abilities, it’s best to hire a professional to make the application and conduct an inspection of the lawn.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians has an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

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Benefits of Acidic Soil

People can spend thousands of dollars trying to “sweeten” their acidic soil, Acidic soil is typically referred to as sour and there are actually plants that prefer an acidic soil. Some of them include azaleas, hydrangeas, nasturtiums and daffodils. Acidic soil loving plants also include trees such as evergreens, mountain ash, dogwood, magnolias beech and oak. Fruits such as blueberries, raspberries and cranberries also prefer acidic soil.

Soils within a neutral or alkaline range are typically what people strive for in their planting environment. Soil can become acidic from many causes, the most common of which are rainwater and human-based activities. Rain can leach minerals from the soil and environments that receive a significant amount of rain are more likely to have acidic soil.

Carbon dioxide is produced by decaying organic matter. It reacts with water in the soil to form carbonic acid – the same acid that’s present in acid rain. Fertilizers also contribute to creating acid soils and the more fertilizer that’s used, the more acidic the soil will become.

Nutrients

There are a number of nutrients that are more soluble in acidic soils and contribute to the growth of trees. Those grown in acidic soils can more readily absorb iron, aluminum and manganese. Acidic soils have a higher concentration of hydrogen and nutrients such as iron, copper, boron and zinc.

Microbes

Some types of microbes and bacteria reproduce and thrive in acidic soils, which also play a role in a plant’s ability to use nutrients in the soil. However, acidic soil also limits the amount of decomposition that takes place of organic matter.

Solutions

People with acidic soil have a couple of solutions available to them, depending on how much money they want to invest and the type of plants they want to grow. Individuals can spend thousands of dollars to sweeten the soil through the application of lime. The other solution is to grow plants that prefer acidic soils.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians has an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

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Fertilizing Plants Can Help Restore Life

Before gardeners decide to uproot that dead-looking plant in their flower bed, try fertilizing it first. Most people assume that a poorly performing plant is suffering from lack of water, and while it may be, it’s important to understand that the plant’s health will fail if it’s not receiving the nutrients it needs.

Fertilizing Plants

Before taking any action, diagnosing the problem is critical. The plant may be getting too much water or not enough. It may need more or less sun. Be on the lookout for insect pests that can sap a plants strength and vitality.

Assuming that the roots are still alive, it’s often possible to rejuvenate a seemingly dead plant by fertilizing it. Don’t overfertilize and burn the roots. Check the root ball for signs of healthy, white roots. Plants use the nutrients in the soil as fuel for growth and flowering. Over time, those nutrients are depleted. Fertilization replaces nutrients and can give a favorite plant a new lease on life.

One of the problems stems from the South Florida soil. It’s primarily composed of rock known as Miami limestone, sand, muck, and a type of soil known as marl. Limestone has a high pH value and doesn’t retain water or nutrients well. That makes it difficult to grow plants unless the dirt has been amended or topsoil is added.

Signs to look for in a plant that lacks nutrients are stems that are weak and dying. It may also have discolored or deformed leaves, and exhibit slow or stunted growth. Before applying fertilizer, trim back any dead leaves or stems. If the stems look completely dead, trim the stem back, leaving a small amount of the stem above the soil line.

After fertilizing the problematic plant, wait at least a month. If it shows no sign of new growth, it’s probably beyond any hope of recovering. However, that dead plant can still be used to support and give life to new plants through composting.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians has an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

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fertilizer

Signs Your Plants Need Fertilizer

Plants make homes more welcoming, desirable, and add value to properties. From trees to flowers, plantings need to have their needs met to remain healthy and vibrant. They typically obtain nutrients through the soil, but there are times when that source is insufficient for their needs and fertilizer will be required.

Even if you began with ideal soil, over time the plants will absorb those nutrients and they will need to be replaced with an application of fertilizer. Each plant has specific nutrient needs and no fertilizer is a one-size-fits-all solution.

There are signs that plants require certain nutrients, but fertilizing plants should be done carefully. Over fertilization is one of the most common mistakes that gardeners make. Plants with a deficiency will demonstrate the following symptoms.

Nitrogen

Plants in need of nitrogen will have new growth that’s light green in color and it will typically be spindly and stunted. Leaves will also begin to drop and new growth will be weak. A lack of nitrogen also affects blossoms and fruit. Both may be delayed and the fruits and flowers produced will typically be smaller than usual.

Phosphorus

A lack of phosphorus will cause plant leaves and stems to take on a dull green appearance. Older leaves will show the effects first and may turn a purplish hue. Tips of leaves will begin to brown and die. The plant’s root system will be weakened, resulting in smaller plants and few or no flowers.

Potassium

When a lack of potassium is the culprit, you may see small spots on the undersides of leaves. Those spots will get larger over time and expand into significant areas of discoloration. Leaf tips will become yellowish colored, curl, and plants will often have a scorched look. The development of roots, seeds and fruits will be reduced.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians has an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

Read more
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