Fertilizer:

Maintenance, Mowing, Fertilizing, Treatment, and Seeding.

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Fertilizers are available in a wide, and often confusing, array of choices. They come in many forms-organic and synthetic, fast- release and slow-release, dry and liquid. Each type has advantages and disadvantages, and some types are more appropriate in certain situations than in others. Because ground covers hug the soil, fertilizing them is trickier than other, more upright and freestanding plants. You'll need to apply fertilizer over the top of ground cover plants rather than directly to the soil at their bases. For that reason, choose a fertilizer that will not burn the foliage. The best fertilizers for ground covers come in small granules or liquid form. These products will work their way through or be directly absorbed by the foliage, so plenty of nutrients reach the plants. Whether you choose an organic or a synthetic fertilizer is a matter of personal taste. Understand the pros and cons of each before you decide. Organic fertilizers rarely burn plants

About Fertilizer, continued from page 1.

Organic fertilizers are slower-acting because they release nutrients only after microbes break down the fertilizer into individual chemicals-a process dependent on the weather (it takes warm temperatures and moisture). So organic fertilizers release nutrients gradually over time rather than all at once. Although they take longer to affect plant growth, they are available to plants longer than some synthetic fertilizers. In other words, if your plants have a nutrient deficiency, organic fertilizers won't be a quick fix. But they provide a small amount of nutrients at a slow, steady pace and contribute to a rich microflora in the soil. The nutrient content of organic fertilizers is generally low, and it can be difficult to know their precise nutrient content, especially with homemade fertilizer such as manure tea (made from soaking manure in water). Some organic fertilizers may contain high concentrations of one nutrient and be deficient in others. However, processed organic fertilizers, such as Milorganite (sewage sludge), are available in uniform pellets and have been tested and labeled with their nutrient content, so you'll have a more precise picture of what your plants are getting. Synthetic fertilizers are manufactured products and are generally made from inorganic substances. They come in a variety of forms, from dry powders or granules to water-soluble emulsions and liquids. Many of the dry, granulated fertilizers are inexpensive and release their nutrients as soon as they dissolve, providing immediate benefits to the plants but also dissipating rapidly. Synthetic fertilizers often are easier to apply than organic ones because they are not as bulky, and they provide exact levels of nutrients to your plants. They tend to be more potent than organic fertilizers.

Quick-release forms, such as ammonium nitrate, contain salts, which can burn roots and leaves. They are also highly soluble, so they readily move beyond the root zone, especially in rainy weather. After applying them to ground covers, take care to water thoroughly to wash them off foliage. You can expect effects to last from two to six weeks. Slow-release synthetic formulations, such as methylene urea, urea formaldehyde, or coated products such as sulfur-coated urea or Poly-S (polymer-coated), gradually release nutrients throughout the growing season and are less likely to burn plants or have their nutrients move out of the root zone. They can supply nutrients for three to nine months, depending on the product. Many of the fertilizers on the market are a combination of slow and fast- release materials. They quickly correct nutrient deficiencies and provide a long-term supply of nutrients.

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