Spring is here and it's time to think about fertilizing your plants, trees and lawns. It will be important for your plants to be strong and healthy going into the difficult and dry months of spring. Remember, healthy, well fed plants can withstand stresses such as drought better than underfed unhealthy plants.

When purchasing your fertilizer it's important to understand the fertilizer label on the bag. A 16-4-8 analysis on a 100 pound bag means it contains 16 pounds of nitrogen, four pounds of available phosphoric acid, and eight pounds of soluble potash. The first number is always nitrogen, the second phosphorus, and the third, potassium. In addition to these three primary nutrients any secondary nutrients, or micro-nutrients, are reported at the bottom of the label in a similar manner if they are guaranteed present.

For lawns a 16-4-8 or a 15-5-15 analysis are both good choices. Turf needs more nitrogen than do woody plants for turf density. This allows it to fight off weed invasions, tolerate foot traffic, and resist attacks from insects and diseases. However, problems can result from over-application of nitrogen, notably disease.

When the plant takes up too much nitrogen, its cell walls become thin, which makes it easier for a fungi to invade. This will cause a higher than normal water need. Also this lush growth attracts insects.

Turf will have a higher quality using a slowly soluble or "controlled release" material. Look for the following when purchasing your lawn fertilizer.

• Sulfur coated urea. Nitrogen release occurs as water moves through tiny cracks and pinholes in the sulfur coating.

• Polymer coated urea. Urea granules with a polymer coating. Water diffuses through the coating to dissolve urea. Nitrogen release is affected by temperature and is more rapid in summer.

• Sulfur and polymer coated urea. Polymer coating is added to the sulfur coated urea as protection and to slow the movement of water into the core. It combines the cost advantage of sulfur coated urea and improved release of polymer coated urea.

While these fertilizers are more expensive your lawn will be healthier if you use them and thus cheaper to maintain throughout the year in terms of water, insecticides and fungicides.

Palms under three feet use 6-6-6 monthly for maximum growth. For palms over three feet four times a year in early spring, late spring, summer and early fall using a palm fertilizer at the rate of one pound per foot of trunk. Be sure to use the micro-nutrients, especially manganese and magnesium, on your palms.

For shrubs, vines and hedges a good quality 6-6-6 or 8-4-8 analysis is recommended at a rate of one and a half pounds per 100 sq. ft. Palm fertilizer is an excellent choice for all your acid loving plants. Four applications, in early spring, late spring, summer and early fall is optimal, but I have found that two fertilization's using a quality slow release nitrogen with micro-nutrients, in early spring and early fall keeps the plants healthy and growing vigorously. Always keep in mind that limited fertilization is much better for the environment than excessive fertilization.

Bougainvillea prefers only once a year fertilization with 6-6-6 or 8-8-8 at a rate of one-fourth pound per foot of height of bushy plant.

Citrus should be fertilized at a rate of one-half pound of 6-6-6 every six weeks for the first three years. Wait until new growth begins, after planting, before fertilizing. After three years apply one pound per year of age of tree with each application of citrus fertilizer in January, June and October. Reduce to one-half pound per year of age after 10 years old. Also, if you missed the January fertilization wait until your fruit has set to fertilize. If your citrus are in bloom it may cause the blooms to drop resulting in a reduced crop.

Happy fertilizing! And remember use only what you need to keep the plants healthy. Over fertilizing will attract bugs, disease and a need for more water. All things bad for the environment.

Plant of the Week: Oyster Plant

• Ground cover 12" X 16"

• Sword shaped 8" leaves green above and deep purple below plants grow in clump form and are a nice tight ground cover to choke out weeds

• Prefers sandy, well-drained soil. Do not overwater as is susceptible to root rot and leaf disease.

• Sunny location. Not very cold tolerant.

• Its rapid growth can cause it to grow out of bounds easily. Keep your eye on it and don't plant around hedges as it will grow under and become a problem.

---

Eileen Ward and her husband, Peter, own and operate Greensward of Marco Inc., a lawn maintenance and landscaping company. Besides completing horticultural courses from the University of Florida, she has a commercial maintenance spray license and is a registered dealer in agricultural products in Florida. To reach Ward, call 394-1413.

Naples Daily News
Naples Sun Times
The Banner

Collier Citizen
Vista Semanal
PrepZone

Coastalbeat
Set Anchor
SWFLMoms