How to Apply Fertilizer To The Garden. A Soil Scientist Explains How To Fertilize Your Plants. 🪴

[@GardeningInCanada]

What is your favourite method to use for fertilizer? For the Kaytonik: www.rogitex.com/kaytonik-soil-amendment/?INF&KT DISCOUNT CODE: GardeningInCanada15 Dirt N Grow: www.dirtngrow.com/ Earth Medicine: Organic Fertilizer Compost | Earth Medicine- Earth Medicine - Organic Microbial Fertilizer Miracle Gro - geni.us/ie56yq

[@thetheoryprincess3050]

Still figuring it all out

[@chinatownboy7482]

I learned from my Dad. He is cheap. He taught me to be cheap. We have 5 gallon buckets used for "worm bins". All of our kitchen scraps and yard scraps go into those bins. The worms process it and give use worm castings. That is the only fertilizer we've ever used in the yard. The yard gets worm castings every season. I cut and prune my trees. I have a wood chipper. The trees grow the mulch for the yard. The yard gets a new layer of mulch twice a year. Every time I dig to the native soil level for planting, I see worms living in the soil. Over the years, layers of worm castings and mulch breaking down has given us a very rich top soil.

[@GardeningInCanada]

That’s so awesome love that setup

[@scottsmith507]

Ashley, I've been conventional for decades. Last winter started watching gardening videos. I was convinced my technique was all wrong and I was slowly ruining my soil. Started implementing organic methods and saw good results. Went head over heels on organic bandwagon, fell for alot of products to make microbes happy. I found your channel. Someone with REAL knowledge that's just trying to help sort out all the NONSENSE info out there. Not bashing synthetics, not bashing organics. In one video you said when you left college you where all organic minded till you found in real life farming not all is that simple and a balance needs to happen. That's where I am now in between. Comments are as important as video being watched. There are many people out there who could never put together a video but are very knowledgeable and willing to share. I for one am that person. These are the reasons I became a patreon member! Love supporting your channel!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Glad you enjoy it! And I still live by that now. It’s a very different world on paper compared to reality. And in the organic permaculture world ive seen a handful of issues that will only be solve with conventional methods. And then on the opposite spectrum of conventional only issues that can be solved with organic methods

[@nikolasberthelsen1606]

I love it.. 100% love it, because I have always been In-between, and for you to say this.. makes me sure I'm on the right path :)... Thx Ashley.

[@michellevenegas1522]

I’m a visual learner lol. I enjoyed seeing the science applied.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Awesome good to know

[@TristanReimer-h1x]

I really enjoyed the visual aspect of this video. I have been struggling to find completely unbiased opinions on gardening methods, so I really welcome the information this channel has to offer. Thank you.

[@VOTE4TAJ]

Not many Canadian gardeners are on KZbin. Our climate is unique and should be treated accordingly. Applied science videos will assist everyone.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yea! Very true

[@krisyallowega5487]

I was taught by my Grandpa & Dad to always water prior to fertilizing as you have showcased. It wasn't necessarily to avoid fertilizer shock or a burn. It was more or less preparing the soil. It pre moistens the soil so it doesn't flow away from the plant. We always made sure there was a slight ring of soil around the plant as well to limit water flowing away. I really don't have a preference to the style or format of your content. I enjoy all perspectives.

[@apextroll]

That's what I was thinking. By pre-watering, the soil is less hydrophobic and induces capillary action the get the nutrients further into the soil.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Haha awesome thanks ❤️

[@lindam9018]

Yes, I like this video style, too. It's really helpful to see things in practice especially if you haven't done that thing before. Also, I have always thought you were supposed to water first before fertilizing. I guess I thought that absorb more easily and not grab on to certain areas than if your soil was pretty dry to start with, as some of my houseplants like to dry out between watering. Great video!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Perfect! And you just know to water first because you are nerdy

[@chesterhobbs7244]

Both delivery formats are great. A combination based on the subject matter seems to best apply.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Glad you think so!

[@rhondatrumier5530]

Totally appreciate the “theory applied to practise videos” Keep it up!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Glad you like them!

[@jenpaige3110]

So glad you did this video! I used miracle grow last year (first year even gardening) with great success on flowers and veg. This year I was guilted into using compost/manure, which seems to be working fine (only june!), but I would like to hit them with a quick dinner a bit later in the season. Good to hear miracle grow isnt completely evil!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Woohoo! Glad you enjoyed

[@angelikaszabo1962]

I just mix many fertilizers! I have slow release pellets for the season. I have Miracle Gro with high nitrogen for the earlier part of the season, the Schultz liquid for later in the season with a high second number. Then I use worm castings and hen manure, then bone meal and blood meal. Kelp stuff, and rock dust, whatever stuff I find on special! There is alot out there, and I just use something different every time I fertilize which is usually every 7 - 10 days, this way no one thing is always used. So far I have been lucky and everything is going good. Is there anything you would suggest to watch out for? And, yes I do realize that the things I have mentioned are not all fertilizer, but they all do help with growth, right? I hope so! Hahaha!

[@fignewton0000]

I really enjoyed this garden-with-me and I appreciate the commentary about watering before fertilizing. I also have several "quirky" things around my apartment for my plants in a "this is not studied or scientific but it's the way my brain works" like putting vessels of water right in front of the ac vents

[@GardeningInCanada]

Haha awesome

[@VOTE4TAJ]

I have use miracle grow in the past and it does work, a very old (rock solid now) package had more nutrients than now. It’s a good quick fix for poor soils but organic matters and fertilizer is the answer.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Great point

[@dixie2881]

I don’t do fruits and veggies yet - My first year with container plants outside. I use fish fert. Hope this is ok for these. The only flowers I have are peonies and lillies in the garden that I have never fertilized, should I? I enjoy you being outside walking us through the steps and just sitting and talking science. I learn from both. I also read comments for others questions and yours or others answers to them.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yea absolutely try fertilizing with something high in phosphate or potassium

[@summerbeemeadow]

I like the style and content of this video. Thank you.

[@apextroll]

When I use tap water, I usually spray it on an aeration setting into a watering can and let it sit for several hours to one day. By doing so, the chlorine will have evaporated out of solution and as you say lets it warm.

[@GardeningInCanada]

That’s a good idea! Same with using bubblers

[@apextroll]

@@GardeningInCanada A few years ago it would never occur to me that spraying cold chlorinated water on soil would kill or inhibit microbes.

[@penelopegreenland3537]

Organic fertilizers. I like the applied and scientific reviews.

[@cherab7400]

Love these videos. Show me how! Haha. I've been having great results with a fish fertilizer with both indoor and outdoor plants.

[@ezcape49]

➕1️⃣

[@GardeningInCanada]

That’s awesome congrats

[@MrPaul_O]

Newbie gardener here and really liking this style of video. Keep up the good work. The knowledge you share in how and why is super helpful.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Glad you are enjoying ❤️

[@MrUnknown747]

Your videos are so on point. So much good information its perfect 👌🏻

[@GardeningInCanada]

Glad you find it helpful

[@amandam.139]

I love your walk troughs

[@GardeningInCanada]

I appreciate that!

[@tgahan01]

I’d like a combination of the two. Thanks.

[@bluerockcomputingllc4143]

The garden video and regular style videos are both great.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Awesome.

[@jfrank1882]

Video Idea as I was looking at an AgPhd video earlier on P fertilizer placement and P availability. Idea: "Nutrient availability in Low & High pH". And yes please, to the rain water vs chlorinated video. I usually wet soil pre fertilizer application to slow the rate at which the nutrient rich water percolates the soil with the hope of it concentrating in the root area for a few days. Great content as always

[@GardeningInCanada]

I will definitely do a rain vs chlorine

[@journey2asimplelife]

LOVE these walk-through gardening style videos Ashley! Thank you for all your videos I’ve learned so much from ya!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Glad you enjoy them and are learning!

[@shakezula5636]

I have a multi-part question regarding fertilizing in containers. I fertilize continuously with a reduced concentration solution (N: 77ppm, total 130ppm) in a closed system (fabric pot and saucer) with a target of 0 runoff. 1. How often should I be testing the salt buildup in the soil? 2. Should I actually remove soil to create a slurry to test or should I just water to 10-15% runoff, and test that? 3. When salts build up in the soil, and you leach them out, what exactly is in that leachate and can you re-use it in subsequent feedings? Or should you just discard it? 4. Would bottom feeding, and then skimming the salt encrusted soil at the top of the pot be a preferred method of removing excess salts or would you leach and dump down the drain? Sorry if that's too many questions. I can't find great information that answers them.

[@GardeningInCanada]

1. Twice yearly spring and fall 2. The runoff test is more accurate then the slurry test. 3. Water and then binders will release the salt build up. But it depends on your soil type.

[@GardeningInCanada]

4. Yes you want to mechanically remove salt build ups whenever possible

[@shakezula5636]

​@@GardeningInCanada Thank you very much for your feedback. I love the channel, and I've been binging it for the past week :) The depth of information on most channels is equivalent to "garden tips from your grandma". I love that you have a scientific approach to the information you give, and I look forward to seeing how deep down the rabbit hole you'll take it.

[@kurtcurtis2730]

Newly subbed. Gardening in SW US in tough! I used to only use organic but this soil needs help so I will use miracle grow sometimes. I have a bag of it sitting outside now and didn’t know that it was going bad. I like your channel very much

[@justincentraltexas]

Great video! I'm a new subscriber, and will eventually watch every video. That being said, after watching many other channels I can say information wise yours is superior for sure, but they seem more like trained actors. That gives them an appeal to the average viewer that your channel doesn't have just yet. Speaking a little slower and being ok with repeating things you have said in other videos would be my unprofessional tip. I love your channel and can't wait to see it grow! You rock!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Thanks glad you enjoyed!

[@milkweed7678]

How about 5-1-1 and 0-10-10 fish emulsion? A small amount per gallon of water is pretty cheap. I've read where it is fast acting and available right from the start. Good video info! Thanks!!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yea some will be bioavailable some won’t. But sounds like an awesome combo

[@fairgolfer]

I like the applied soil science, nice video! I learned a lot 👍

[@GardeningInCanada]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@teresathomley3703]

Applied science, walk through videos are quite good.👍

[@GardeningInCanada]

Glad you enjoy!

[@thetheoryprincess3050]

As per your recommendation in a previous video comment, I ended up purchasing Miracle Grow - Bloom Formula which is ironic since that's the exact one you mention in this video! (you never specified Miracle Gro. I just happened to see it and I bought it) Oddly enough, at the beginning of the season, I also purchased the miracle gro all purpose with very high nitrogen (this was done with little to no knowledge, just thought it looked good.) Because of that, I knew exactly what you were talking about in the video and have been doing the same thing. I have a couple tomato plants that look healthy and green, but no fruit and no blooms. Perhaps i need to add a higher phosphate liquid fertilizer. Also, i REALLY like this video format. I've thought for a while it would be nice for you to do short vids of separate veggies and the important points to keep in mind for each one (amount of sun, when to plant, seed vs transplant, pruning, fertilizing, spacing, soil type, etc) Just the nuts and bolts for each type of veggie or fruit.

[@GardeningInCanada]

That’s a great set of video ideas!

[@WarGardensForVictory]

Prac app was the best part of class! Keep these videos coming. Great job. I agree that answer is somewhere in the middle, 70/30. I use synthetic to start seedlings to get big and ready to go out and then organic in my fields.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yea exactly!

[@LoeJukan248]

love these videos thanks for the hands on

[@GardeningInCanada]

Glad you enjoyed

[@leafylotus]

I’m digging it! Thanks for the advice again!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Hahah love the pun

[@SH-jy6lc]

Yes, i like this walk through videos. Thanks

[@greenedyfrio338]

Hi Ashley. I am a bit like you I will use what I need at that moment and time, Honestly I use what I can buy, and organic become a bit too mutch expencive... But organic or non-organic I do not use nothing with smell (bone, blood, fish, fruit, etc) the foxes love to dig massive holes on smelly wet dirt. A bit of bouth videos, hands on desk and hands on dirt. Theory reinforced with practice.

[@GardeningInCanada]

That sounds awesome!

[@JoanEvangelista]

Thank you. I love both formats and really learn a lot from your videos. From where I am organic fertilizers are either very expensive or have zero analysis in them we basically don't know what we're putting in the soil if we use them! Even the vermicast sold online I am suspicious that it's not really pure. The lack of quality control over them is just very uncomfortable for me. Like you I'm using a mix of conventional and organic fertilizers in my plants too and doing comparisons. So far the results are 50-50, both for plant growth and pest pressure. I'm also doing a lot more homemade stuff if I can like shrimp meals, fermented plant juice and compost.. but honestly those options are just not really that easy for most people without the space. It's just sad how conventional fertilizers are labeled as evil when it could be a good alternative for people trying to save money and be able to still garden.

[@GardeningInCanada]

I’m glad you find it helpful!

[@steveandtedssmallspacegard8587]

Really enjoyed this style of video , I am very interested in seeing more videos comparing organic and conventional. I'm particularly interested is seeing the theoretical side of energy use by plants absorbing different forms of nitrogen and what form of nitrogen is transported in the plant . A theory I heard recently is plant sap high in nitrates attracts insects to feed on these plants as they prefer N in the nitrate form. Haha this video would be back to the white board . Thank you for providing us so many quality videos. Thanks Steve

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yea absolutely! Sounds good

[@steveandtedssmallspacegard8587]

@@GardeningInCanada Thank you that is awesome!!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXbGhmZjobuWr5Y 29:30 is where John makes the statements about forms of nitrogen (nitrates in particular) being absorbed by plants contributing to insects and other pests being attracted to crops.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Thanks! Sorry KZbin spammed this comment I just found it

[@peony7967]

Thank you for all the great content! Keep going :)

[@GardeningInCanada]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@artstamper316]

Organic gardening is important if you have an autoimmune condition and need to avoid ingesting chemicals in any form. It would seem that inorganic fertilizers would be absorbed by the food we grow and thus we would be eating it.

[@naomifehr669]

Thank you! My husband and I were just wondering this!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Perfect! Haha love when that happens

[@thetheoryprincess3050]

I know you must get a ton of comments/question Ashley, but I just purchased 3 blueberry plants and I read where they need a lower pH and that Elemental Sulphur should be added. I'm having a heck of a time finding this product, so if you can offer any direction, that would be fantastic. :) Geesh, just realize how much I've posted on this vid. Sorry about that. I'm in the thick of trying to give the best to these plants as it's a huge investment in money and time. So much to learn!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Haha thanks okay. Are the plants in containers or in the ground?

[@thetheoryprincess3050]

@@GardeningInCanada the plants will be planted in the ground as soon as it cools down a wee bit. We tried to prep the location as much as possible by incorporating peat moss & old crushed leaves, then watering, then covering with weed barrier (to prevent excessive weed growth while we wait) I also bought miracle grow for acid loving plants.

[@SL-pr1lw]

Great video! Thanks for this!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@teresathomley3703]

Yes

[@willemjoosse214]

When i throw some p205 fertilizer at my garden soil in no time there are growing mushrooms how come

[@tobruz]

You mentioned using rain water. I use it too. I know enough not to drink it, besides possibly containing bird poop is 100% safe to use in the garden? It comes off of hot asphalt shingles. Could you please comment as there is conflicting info on the web.

[@GardeningInCanada]

That’s true. It also can collect other toxic stuff on its way down.

[@brandon13k]

Could a guy top dress with compost, use humic acid and a conventional fertilizer or would that be doing too much? This would be for Cannabis if that matters.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yea no reason why you can’t. The Humic acid would support more nutrient storage and more conversion

[@FloraM44]

I've been transplanting my tomatoes with just a small handful of bone meal at the bottom of the hole (after watching your video about how you shouldn't fertilize right when you transplant - I was hoping the risk of bone meal burning the roots was small but I put a thin layer of soil between it and the roots anyway).. at what point would you start fertilizing the new transplants? And maybe I spaced out for a second but did you mention what delayed-release granules you use?

[@apextroll]

I did the same thing but with predecomposed canned fish from the dollar store and crushed egg shell. Put a buffer of soil so that the tomato plant roots need to grow into the fertilizer. I also sprinkled some treated soil on the surface. I will just apply some conventional fertilizer when watering later on.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Bone meal will be harmless

[@roselinelee]

I heard that nitrogen in fertilizer leaches out faster than phosphorus and potassium and it leads to too much p and k in the soil. Is that true? And if it is, should we use fertilizer with higher nitrogen content for plants? And what is your view and opinion with balanced fertilizer?

[@GardeningInCanada]

It is true Nitrogen is water soluble and can be volatilized. which is why when you use an all purpose your nitrogen is typically higher

[@melissamybubbles6139]

Thank you. This is helpful. I'll have to check later to find out if you have instructions for dealing with grubs and mites. I feel bad for having used some conventional thing to kill them before finding out what the alternatives were. The rolly pollys are almost all dead. Have I made my yard unfriendly to them, ladybugs and such now for a long time if I tried to introduce them later?

[@GardeningInCanada]

No they will come back in no time

[@melissamybubbles6139]

@@GardeningInCanada Thank you.

[@joesears584]

I’m doing some microbe farming Trying to entice the soil biome to mine the nutrients the plants need. It’s my first time growing this way on soil that hasn’t been farmed for a very long time. I’ll let you know if it works

[@backseat-of-the-audience]

that sounds cool

[@GardeningInCanada]

That’s awesome! Keep us updated

[@MomEmpowered]

Do you water the same way all season long?

[@kalalit]

Great video but I'm confused about one thing still. I'm using Miracle Gro Organic Omri Listed granular Bone Meal, Blood Meal, and Tomato/Veg fertilizer. Can this burn plant roots if I put too much. Does organic mean it can never burn roots because it does not have salts? Does root burning have anything to do with granular or liquid fertilizer? Like granular is slow release compared to liquid which is instantly available. Thanks, I hope I was clear.

[@GardeningInCanada]

No you won’t so long as it doesn’t have a salt stabilizer it in. So look for anything saying sodium or oxide in the label

[@kalalit]

Thanks so much soil scientist!! :) I've been wondering this for over a year since I started gardening last year. I just checked the bags and they don't say sodium or oxide. YAY!! Your first video I watched was about mold and I loved it btw. I watched more but never comment haha. - Torontonian gardener here :) We have dry weather here too this year. EDIT: I like this type of video more where you move around and show us the garden stuff while you talk. The sit in one spot type is ok too cuz it's about the information but this is more fun.

[@yoriichi3347]

What's the best application side dress or band?.

[@danielmartin7197]

Thanks! If my container tomatoes have some osmocote (those little balls that slow release), should I apply liquid fertilizer every once in a while or just leave it as is?

[@GardeningInCanada]

You can still apply fertilizer!

[@butternutsquash6984]

My very heavy clay that only grows grass, burdock and pokeweed well is demanding I use a combination to one day arrive at actual garden soil. So, very selective herbicide sprays that degrade quickly and don't move through the soil (thanks for that info!), structural amendments that don't degrade, and producing some sort of compost at scale, along with a locally made general organic fertilizer until all the amendments make a noticable difference. Final ingredient will be steadfastly avoiding or lying to the hippies and crunchies about the chemical controls so I don't have to hear lectires on evil chemicals!

[@joesdi]

I like this, in action.

[@GardeningInCanada]

nice

[@tobruz]

Is that bucket a mop bucket or some kinda salad spinner thingie?

[@GardeningInCanada]

Haha a spin mop bucket that’s very busted and I’m cheap so I didn’t throw it out

[@nomanejane5766]

Are u mixing the organic fertilizer in the same bucket cuz they are the same brand, or were we supposed to mix water soluble fertilizer in the same bucket? Cuz my dumb ass been doing each one separately

[@thetheoryprincess3050]

On the subject of fertilizing, i'm SOO confused as to how to fertilize onions! Some are doing TERRIBLe, and others are doing great! I've heard they need higher phosphate and I've also heard they need higher nitrogen! Do they like lots of sun and heat? I know this is kind of off topic, but most of my onions are dying and I'm getting ready to purchase new onion transplants and start over.

[@GardeningInCanada]

i just did a video on this for you. but they dont like water in excess

[@thetheoryprincess3050]

@@GardeningInCanada The video was so helpful Ashley. You really went above and beyond. I think i've killed most of my onions, but I have a few that are doing ok. There's always next year

[@GardeningInCanada]

Next year is always the best year

[@thetheoryprincess3050]

@@GardeningInCanada Absolutely Ash!

[@GardeningInCanada]

❤️❤️

[@backseat-of-the-audience]

i fertilizer with liquide organic fertilizer and i’ve noticed my dirt smells like a fish tank now lol

[@GardeningInCanada]

Haha 😂 that’s the microbes farting

[@FloraM44]

Silly question but, would pond water with fish have a similar effect as fish emulsion?

[@GardeningInCanada]

Fish emulsion is dead fish stuff emulsified lol

[@FloraM44]

@@GardeningInCanada yeah that's why I'm thinking pond water with fish in it should be similar! Haha our garden does pretty well. Could be the Miracle Gro, could be the fishy pond water.. could be both! Lol

[@Figs4Life]

Do you have a video on IMO? What are your thoughts on IMO, do they work?

[@GardeningInCanada]

I don’t but I can definitely do a video on it!

[@Figs4Life]

@@GardeningInCanada I'm looking forward for it. Thank you

[@EXHIBITINGSQUARES]

This way!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Woo hoo!

[@kendravoracek3636]

💚

[@GardeningInCanada]

💜💜💜

[@stephanieserblowski2092]

Awe is your dog a pitbull?

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yea lol 😂 both of them are goobers

[@swayzecrazy420]

Just because it say organic does it really mean that? I use liquid sea weed, fish guts, chicken poop molasses. To me that’s organic. Something that comes in a bottle thats mixed is considered chemicals. I use bat gwamo, bone meal, blood meal, alfalfa mill, my humic acid i use these little black rocks. Earthworm castings. I never used a bottle with chemicals for organics

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yea its a sliding scale. I mean rock phosphate is organic technically as well

[@journey2asimplelife]

“The very evil Miracle Grow” 😂😅

[@GardeningInCanada]

Lol have to say it or some people will get angry

[@journey2asimplelife]

@@GardeningInCanada Oh yea I totally get it ! 😅

[@fillmorehillmore8239]

Throw the MG into a blender.

[@GardeningInCanada]

yea!

[@teresathomley3703]

The