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Marie profiled in Green Source DFW June 29th, 2015
Growing Urban Roots -
Acres USA Dec. 2014 Issue
Voted Best CSA 2013!
Living Natural First Radio Interview
Featured in
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Winter 2009
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NeighborsGo - July 2010
D Magazine -
Chefs for Farmers Launch long-table style benefit dinner at
Eden's.
Market Day - Our Humble Beginnings
"...an urban country adventure." - Kim Pierce DMN
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When do I need to fertilize my yard?
This is a common question - and one easily answered. In
an organic program, there really isn't a good time or bad time to add fertilizer
to the soil. We are feeding the microorganisms in the soil, so they can do
their job and feed the plants.
The plants may benefit from a burst of nutrients at some
specific times of the year, and so we do have certain times when adding extra
fertilizer would be more opportune than other times.
But, if you miss any of the below dates, don't hesitate to put
some fertilizer out, especially if you are just converting from a synthetic
program or things look a little puny.
When you fertilize, don't just cover your turf - all of the
soil needs to eat. Fertilize around your shrubs, trees and in your
flowerbeds, too.
*Probably the only time this "fertilize any time" approach
might be an issue, is a couple of weeks before an expected frost/freeze -
because it may encourage new, tender growth that can be susceptible to damage.
| Type of Feeding |
Spring |
Summer |
Autumn |
| *Corn Gluten/Pre-emergent |
*As soon as the weather breaks in late January or by Mid Feb. at the latest.
This just depends on how mild or severe our winter is. |
*If weeds are severe, late May to early June |
*Again, just as in the spring, weather is the factor. When the temps cool
at night, the rains return, its time! Usually between Sept. 1 -
Mid Oct. |
| General Purpose Fertilizer |
2-4 weeks after CGM application, or mid to late Feb.
should be ideal |
2 weeks after CGM application, or early to mid June
should be ideal |
2-4 weeks after CGM application, or mid to late Oct. should be ideal |
| Foliar Feeding/Fish or Compost Tea |
Weekly is best during the growing season, starting as
soon as you see new growth, add fish to "push" new growth along gently |
Use Maestro Gro's garlic pepper compost tea during the
insect explosion time |
For plants going dormant, stop by mid Oct., for pansies and other
cool season crops, continue weekly during growth |
*Corn Gluten Meal is a natural product that works
to keep most small seeds from fully taking off after germination. Just as
in a synthetic pre-emergent program, timing is very important, and the weather
conditions will directly affect the efficacy of the product. Water into
the soil after application or plan to put out when light showers are predicted,
but avoid putting down before an expected frog-strangler!
In the fall, apply Corn Gluten Meal between September 1st and
mid October, as the evening temps cool and we get rain.
In the spring, apply it between February 15th and mid March.
It is a timing game for sure.
Applied too soon, the weed killing benefit will wear off and
it will simply be a great source of nitrogen in the soil. Applied too late
and you've just fertilized some recently germinated and soon to be killer weeds!
This is true with your synthetic "weed n' feed" products, too.
Timing has to be right for it to be effective. You'll surely eliminate
some weed seeds, but the idea is to get the bulk of them at once.
Applied each year, you can get a handle on those annual weeds.
Sprinkle some in your flower beds too, so long as you don't plan to put down any
seeds.
Wait at least 6 weeks before over-seeding with winter grasses,
etc, if you plan to do so.
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