In this video, I discuss why popular fertilizer products may be failing your garden. Organic fertilizers can work wonders in your vegetable garden, but granular types only work under certain conditions. If your environment is wrong, they may fail. This video will teach you how to use organic fertilizer in your garden to maximize success!
The following products* were featured in this video:
40% Shade Cloth (Various Sizes): https://amzn.to/3unSvuK
Jobe’s Organic All Purpose Fertilizer (4lb): https://amzn.to/3uqk32z
Jobe’s Organic Vegetable & Tomato (4lb): https://amzn.to/3uwOZhq
Jobe’s Organic Fruit & Nut Fertilizer (4lb): https://amzn.to/47Hmv2S
Alaska Fish Fertilizer: https://amzn.to/3rjkZ7I
Liquid Seaweed Fertilizer: https://amzn.to/3G3OnTg
True Organic Blood Meal (3lbs): https://amzn.to/3QsZb1Q
Espoma Blood Meal (3lbs): https://amzn.to/3tVDTSW
Jobe’s Bone Meal (4lbs): https://amzn.to/3Gqp52e
Espoma Plant Tone (36lbs): https://amzn.to/3Zgk98f
MiracleGro Organics (1lb): https://amzn.to/46dta3L
MiracleGro Conventional (1.5 lb): https://amzn.to/3G8CVG4
Jack’s All Purpose 20-20-20 (1.5lb): https://amzn.to/3MQ4I2A
Jack’s Blossom Booster 10-30-20 (1.5lb): https://amzn.to/3KyPTzg
Jack’s / JR Peters Professional 20-20-20 (25lb): https://amzn.to/3PGFDab
Jack’s Blossom Booster 10-30-20 (25lb): https://amzn.to/45FIuXh
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
0:00 How Granular Organic Fertilizers Work
2:33 Problem #1: Soil Temperature
6:22 Problem #2: Improper Application
8:05 How To Apply Organic Fertilizer
9:53 Problem #3: Soil Moisture
11:07 Fixing Soil Temperature Problems
12:21 Fertilizers That Work In All Conditions
14:36 What If My Soil Is Too Hot?
16:29 Adventures With Dale
If you have any questions about how to fertilize plants for maximum success, want to know about the things I grow in my raised bed vegetable garden and edible landscaping food forest, are looking for more gardening tips and tricks and garden hacks, have questions about vegetable gardening and organic gardening in general, or want to share some DIY and “how to” garden tips and gardening hacks of your own, please ask in the Comments below!
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Miracle-Gro Soluble Bloom Booster Plant Food https://amzn.to/2GKYG0j
Miracle-Gro Soluble Tomato Plant Food https://amzn.to/2GDgJ8n
Jack’s Fertilizer, 20-20-20, 25 lb. https://amzn.to/3CW6xCK
Southern Ag Liquid Copper Fungicide https://amzn.to/2HTCKRd
Southern Ag Natural Pyrethrin Concentrate https://amzn.to/2UHSNGE
Monterey Organic Spinosad Concentrate https://amzn.to/3qOU8f5
Safer Brand Caterpillar Killer (BT Concentrate) https://amzn.to/2SMXL8D
Cordless ULV Fogger Machine https://amzn.to/36e96Sl
Weed Barrier with UV Resistance https://amzn.to/3yp3MaJ
Organza Bags (Fig-size) https://amzn.to/3AyaMUz
Organza Bags (Tomato-size) https://amzn.to/36fy4Re
Injection Molded Nursery Pots https://amzn.to/3AucVAB
Heavy Duty Plant Grow Bags https://amzn.to/2UqvsgC
6.5 Inch Hand Pruner Pruning Shears https://amzn.to/3jHI1yL
Japanese Pruning Saw with Blade https://amzn.to/3wjpw6o
Double Tomato Hooks with Twine https://amzn.to/3Awptr9
String Trellis Tomato Support Clips https://amzn.to/3wiBjlB
Nylon Mason Line, 500FT https://amzn.to/3wd9cEo
Expandable Vinyl Garden Tape https://amzn.to/3jL7JCI
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ABOUT MY GARDEN
Location: Southeastern NC, Brunswick County (Wilmington area)
34.1°N Latitude
Zone 8B
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#gardening #garden #gardeningtips #fertilizer #fertilizing
43 Comments
If you enjoyed this video, please "Like" and share to help increase its reach! Thanks for watching 😀TIMESTAMPS here:
0:00 How Granular Organic Fertilizers Work
2:33 Problem #1: Soil Temperature
6:22 Problem #2: Improper Application
8:05 How To Apply Organic Fertilizer
9:53 Problem #3: Soil Moisture
11:07 Fixing Soil Temperature Problems
12:21 Fertilizers That Work In All Conditions
14:36 What If My Soil Is Too Hot?
16:29 Adventures With Dale
Thanks for these tips @TheMillennialGardener. I live in zone 9a. This last season, I used a combination of the Jobe's Organic Tomato Fertilizer and Lilly Miller Bone Meal (even though Lilly Miller isn't an "organic" brand, single ingredient amendments made from the bones of a vertebrate creatures would be "organic" by definition unless exposed to a lot of other contaminants.) I also did as you suggested and planted lower in the ground so the hairs on the tomato stems could become part of the root structure of the plant. Needless to say…all that extra phosphorous in the soil really kicked the flowering and fruiting into overdrive and I had the biggest tomato harvest I've ever had! I also used chopped up fir chips from an arborist chip drop as mulch to regulate temperature and preserve moisture. Thanks for the great advice and happy gardening!
Good explanation on how best to use organic fertilizers and also balanced with a choice to use other fertilizers as well. Another reason why the organic fertilizer does not always give good results if you are growing in a new bed or in containers using sterile potting mix. Potting mix and new beds do not have a lot of bioactivity and there is usually not enough soil microbes present in small containers to sustain themselves and the plants. If you are going to use organic fertilizers they need to be activated by the soil organisms. Which means you have to apply them often months before the nutrients will be needed to give the soil organisms time to build up their numbers as well as convert the nutrients into a plant available form. Many people build a new bed or start a container garden thinking that organic is the only choice without realizing that organic nutrients are not always available when plants need it most so applying the fertilizer at the same time as planting a seedling or seed does not yield a good result. Seeds and seedlings that get off to a slow start may not catch up if they miss that critical window of growth. People are also not aware that unlike conventional fertilizers, organic fertilizers may require more supplementation during certain periods of plant growth than conventional fertilizers which have higher numbers of readily available nutrients usually in more than adequate amounts for most plants. People also try to grow high feeders in a new garden when they probably should start off with a cover crop or bean instead of a tomato.
🤔 since i already have it Im thinking to let it dissolve as much as possible in warm water and fish emulsion then pour it in.
Thank you!
I’m had a issue with a fertilizer how to use it
Thank you for the information MG! 👍
What about Epsom salts when planting?
That makes all the sense.
Wow! This was such an excellent presentation. Thank you.
After watching your how to build a shade cloth video, I ordered the shade cloth (through your Amazon store) and made a "make-shift" version with on-hand materials. My small struggling fruit trees made a 100% turnaround in the first week! We had record breaking temps this brutal summer here on the Texas gulf coast and your info saved my plants. Please keep the great advice coming!
If it’s so hot or so cold that organic fertilizers aren’t breaking down, it’s probably ALSO too hot or cold for your plants to be growing and needing fertilizer anyway. Isn’t it? Maybe it varies with how well that variety of plant handles the heat or cold?
Thank you. You always explain so. Clearly. Love ur channel
YOU ARE RIGHT ON i recently learn that lactobacillus help decompose the fertilizer which then become bioavailable to the plant
Excellent video. So many gardeners don't realize this and now I can send your video to them. You explain it perfectly!
Interesting, great info. My pup Henry says Hi to Dale 🐕🐾💞
I think a lot of the time gardeners have problems is lack of moisture. We had severe drought, now just abnormally dry, and had to install drip emitter irrigation because I just couldn’t keep the moisture consistent. I used the shade fabric longer than usual and always mulch. We never had worms before and wondered why even though I threw everything at the garden. Well, we have worms now. I just use a bit of granular in planting holes for plants and overcast other areas.
I also found we need shade to grow radishes and beets. The root crops were beautiful, not woody and tasty.
Install irrigation as it will save money, time and your garden.
In other words, by the time the organic fertilizer breaks down, the growing season is finished.
Outstanding video – thank you!
Great information, as usual! Thanks for all the effort you put into your videos. They're always so interesting and I always learn so much from you. And I love watching to the end to see Dale. 🥰
Great info as usual!!
In recent years, I've been using both synthetic and organic fertilizers at the same time. My plants have been noticeably happier.
Here in Seattle I start my tomato plants indoors and transplant them into the garden in mid to late April to get as early a start on the season as possible. The soil is too cool to make my organic fertilizer bio-available to the plants, so I also fertilize the tomato plants with Miracle-Gro when I first set out the plants. They settle in and grow much faster than when I used to use only organic fertilizer.
This video is packed with great info. Thanks!!
No more wondering about fertilizers for me… I got chickens!
Other options… Nettle fertilizer for nitrogen for early season and comfrey for later in the summer for blooming and fruiting. I like using everything natural (and free 😉 )as much as possible
I started using Jacks 10-10-10 at the end of our brutal Texas summer this year after seeing you using it and oh boy did I see a growth difference! Good stuff! (during the hottest part of the summer I only used Vermistera liquid worm castings, and it was the life line they needed to get through. I highly recommend it)
🐾Love how Dale is licking his lips waiting for the treat😄
I need to.water…cant believe it..all chsnces of rain have fizzled for a year now.
I always mix soluble fertilizers at half strength and they seem to work well
This is the best explanation of how to use any fertilizer for ur garden in u tube channels….ur knowledge is greatly appreciated. Never get tired of listening to your talks. Thanks for sharing.😊
I try not to use these kind of fertilizers. I use homemade compost, nettle and comfrey tea ☕️
Marcus, you deserve kudos for this presentation! Your explanation of these challenges with fertilizer working properly is THE BEST! 💜💜
Very helpful video. I appreciate the "brownie" model!
Thanks for the knowledge, MG! 👍
I ordered 2 fig bushes in the fall of 22. I'm growing them in pots…Celeste and Violetta de Bordeaux. I got one fig…on the VDB. It took months to grow and ripen. I harvested it yesterday, and it was pretty tasty. 😋 Lots of with jelly as you say.😃
Thanks for turning me on to figs other than the Brown Turkey traditionally grown here.👍
Y'all have a beautiful Thanksgiving Day! Love to Dale! 💕
So should we not be making soil amendments in the fall? I always thought was the ideal time. I'm in zone 7
So simple and common sense points, but I didn’t even think about throwing my compost on top of my fertilizer. Thanks
I have a large tub with a lid (and drainage holes) filled with the soil I use to plant my veggies. I mix in organic granules and lightly water in every time I fill it.
By the time I use it it’s ready and also has lots of earth worms ready to go to work for me.
After planting, I like fish emulsion.
If you don’t mulch you’re missing the boat!
Love DR Earth organics!
When you mention soil temperature- at what depth do you aim for
Another reason that fertilizers may not work is ph. Soil that is above about 7 makes it difficult for plants to take up nutrients.
😍🐕❤
Which part of Florida did you choose?
Question: have you ever made or considered making a video of your supply shed and what’s in it? Covering like your fertilizers and sprays you keep on hand and when they’re useful? Thanks for all your videos! Very inspiring
I’ve watched this channel for about 3 seasons and just have to say that your breakdown and instructions on how to do everything on here is top-notch and the best I’ve seen on YouTube. Not only do you tell us how to do it, but you also tell us why it should be done. All this info is so helpful. I’m in zone 9a in Texas and it’s hot and humid here, too. Just want to say thank you Marcus! Keep doing what you do!
Thanks for another informative video. I have always been bad about fertilizing, this is also my first year living in a place with seasons. Something I've been seeing a lot this fall, is prepping beds for spring. They advise adding slow release fertilizer, compost and mulch. But will the fertilizer break down over winter and be ready for feed my spring garden?