And outdoor plants and lawns always start growing below ground (we're talking about roots here) long before you will see new growth and greenery above ground. So now is the best time of year to feed your shrubs, perennials and lawns.

So this week we'd like to take a few to talk about why we love it so much, what makes it different from other fertilizers and how to use it to achieve the best results in your landscape. So if feeding your outdoor plants and lawn is on your to do list, please read on.

Espoma Organics fertilizers are made from natural animal and plant based components. Things like bone meal, fish meal, feather meal, alfalfa meal, etc. And this is good news for your soil as well as your plants. Conventional synthetic fertilizers only feed your plants. And that's ok, but they don't do anything to improve the health or quality of your soil. And healthy soil equals healthy and happy plants. Because Espoma fertilizers are made from natural animal and plant based products, this organic material actually improves soil structure as it slowly breaks down, creating a lighter and fluffier soil that drains well with improved aeration.

In addition to this soil improving benefit, Espoma Organics fertilizers also contain living soil biology. Millions of tiny micro organisms in every bag. Think of it as probiotics for your plants. These organisms will quickly get to work munching away on organic material in the soil. And as they do, they release essential nutrients and elements to your plants roots. In addition to this, as they munch away and move about, they are also improving soil structure and quality. Healthy soil biology is the difference between plants being so so and thriving!!!

 

This is your go to for most evergreen and deciduous plants that prefer an acidic soil. Hollies, Rhododendron, Azaleas, Laurels, Pieris (aka Andromeda) and Arborvitae just to name a few evergreens that would love Holly Tone. As far as deciduous plants go, blueberries, raspberries, and dogwoods would benefit from Holly Tone. If you have blue or purple flowered Hydrangeas and want to maintain or improve those colors, get some Holly Tone on them now. Mophead Hydrangeas flower color is determined by the soil PH. The more acidic the soil is, the bluer your Hydrangea blooms will be. The sulphur in Holly Tone will ensure that your blooms are as blue as they can be. Holly Tone should be applied now and then every 4 to 6 weeks until late summer.

 

All of your perennials and deciduous shrubs would benefit from regular applications of Plant Tone. And one evergreen outlier. Boxwood. People often mistakenly use Holly Tone on their boxwoods because they are evergreens. But boxwoods actually prefer a neutral to alkaline soil, so Plant Tone for these guys. And just like Holly Tone, Plant Tone should be applied now and every 4 to 6 weeks until late summer.

 

As its name implies, this is your go to for roses and other long blooming deciduous plants because it contains extra phosphorus, which promotes big, beautiful blooms. We love Espoma Rose Tone for Annabelle and paniculata type Hydrangeas as well as butterfly bushes and rose of sharon. Apply now and every 4 to 6 weeks until late summer.

 

A safe and natural way to feed your lawn and improve your lawns soil quality and structure. You will not get soil improving benefits from synthetic lawn fertilizers offered at the box stores. Healthy soil is critical for turf grasses. So if your lawn isn't as vigorous and robust as you'd like, consider Espoma All Season Lawn Food to get some healthy biological activity going on in your lawn. Apply now, late May and again in September for best results.