You don’t have to fertilize if you use compost in the garden. Adding manure to the garden IS fertilizing, just a slow release form of it. The garden, needs to be fertilized at least once in the season and the best time is in mid-May. Whether you choose organic fertilizer or an inorganic type,
granular or liquid, all of them work well.
Fertilize on the fifteenth of each month:
Grass: May 15, June 15, July 15, August 15.
Perennials & Shrubs: May 15, June 15, July 15
Trees: May 15, June 15
Annuals: every 2 weeks
Understanding Fertilizers
N – nitrogen, P – phosphorus, K – potassium.
Ratio for grass is 3:1:2 e.g. 21 – 7 – 14
Nitrogen (for Leaves)
Phosphorus (for Roots)
Potassium (for Hardiness)
Grass in North America is a combination of Kentucky Blue and Creeping Red Fescue.
These two types of grass prefer to be cut at 1” to 2” (2.5 cm – 5 cm).
I like a higher middle number fertilizer only once in the early spring and again in the fall.
You need to use a high first number fertilizer through the season.
As long as you fertilize on May 15 and June 15 you should be good for the season.
To keep the lawn looking great you can manipulate the lawn by cutting higher in spring and fall and lower in summer, but always keep your blades sharp and never mow when grass is wet.
On the opposite end, don’t mow grass if the weather is super dry and hot and the grass is going dormant. Always change directions each week when mowing, especially on new lawns; otherwise, within two years you will have deep wheel grooves.
-Kevin Napora, Landscape Designer & Master Gardener, Salisbury Landscaping, Edmonton & Area
