When To Apply Your Natural Fertilizer
Watch for signs: If plants start looking yellow or are growing reluctantly, it's a good sign they need more fertilizer. Only use 100% natural fertilizers – not synthetics – for best results.
Remember, you, your family, and local wildlife will be eating many of the fruits from your orchard or garden.
Application Dosage for Grandpa's Backyard Soluble Plant Food:
Dissolve 1 scoop (1 tbsp.) with the included scooper of Grandpa’s Backyard Soluble Plant Food to 1 gallon of water in a watering container. Mix until dissolved. Water your plants normally.
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Application Dosage for Grandpa's Backyard Spreadable Plant Food:
Lightly water the dripline of your plant prior to applying Grandpa’s Backyard Spreadable Plant Food. Apply 1 scoop (1/4 cup) with the included scooper evenly around the dripline of your plant. Water again to avoid root burn.
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Tomatoes
The best time to fertilize tomatoes with Grandpa’s Backyard Soluble or Spreadable Plant Food is at key stages: at planting time and when the first fruits form. You can also fertilize every few weeks or monthly once flowering begins.
Vegetables
The best time to fertilize vegetables with Grandpa’s Backyard Soluble or Spreadable Plant Food is in early spring to provide nutrients for new growth, or before planting to enrich the soil with a slow-release fertilizer. You should also fertilize throughout the growing season as plants need it, with specific timing depending on the vegetable and its growth stage.
Before planting
1. Apply 1 application before planting to ensure that whatever nutrients are lacking in your existing soil will be replenished.
Early spring
2. Apply 1 more application. This is a crucial time for new growth
During the growing season
3. Regular applications: For continued productivity, apply 1 application every three to four weeks, depending on the specific plant's needs.
Citrus Trees
The best time to fertilize citrus trees with Grandpa’s Backyard Soluble or Spreadable Plant Food is in early
spring, just before they bloom, and continue with additional applications every 6-8 weeks through the
summer. Avoid fertilizing in the late fall and winter when trees are dormant and the weather is cold to
prevent adverse effects on fruit quality.
Fruit Trees
The best time to fertilize your fruit trees with Grandpa’s Backyard Soluble or Spreadable Plant Food is in early spring before bud break. You can apply a second, smaller application in late spring or early summer after the fruit has set, but stop fertilizing by mid-summer to prevent winter damage. For some trees and soil types, a late fall/early winter application can also be beneficial.
Berries
The best time to fertilize berries with Grandpa’s Backyard Soluble or Spreadable Plant Food depends on the type, but most should be fertilized in early spring as new growth begins. A second application is often recommended in mid-spring, with a third after harvest.
Flowers
Apply Grandpa’s Backyard Soluble or Spreadable Plant Food to flower beds in early spring as new growth begins, and repeat in mid-summer—particularly for annuals and perennials that bloom for long periods. Roses should be fertilized once a month from May through July. Spring-blooming bulbs benefit from a second feeding after they finish flowering, while summer-blooming bulbs should be fertilized once their blooms have faded.
Indoor Plants
The best time to fertilize indoor plants with Grandpa’s Backyard Soluble or Spreadable Plant Food is during their active growing season, from spring through summer (roughly March to September). You should stop fertilizing in the dormant season (winter, approximately October to March) because plants slow down and may not be able to use the nutrients, which can lead to root damage. Some plants have
different needs, so check specific care instructions for your plant types.
Outdoor Plants
The best time to fertilize your outdoor plants with Grandpa’s Backyard Soluble or Spreadable Plant Food
is early spring when they are actively growing after winter dormancy. However, the ideal time can vary,
with late fall being a good option for trees and shrubs to help them prepare for winter. You should
always fertilize plants when they are not dormant and have sufficient moisture in the soil, ideally in the
coolest part of the day, such as early morning or late evening.
All-Natural Contents of our Fertilizers
Why are macro and micronutrients important?
Macro and micronutrients are essential for plant growth and development, playing crucial roles in various metabolic processes. For example, iron is involved in chlorophyll synthesis, manganese is needed for enzyme activity, and zinc is important for growth and hormone production.
Alfalfa Meal
Alfalfa meal is a gentle, organic source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that naturally enriches soil and stimulates growth. It contains trace minerals and triacontanol, a natural plant growth stimulant that enhances nutrient uptake and microbial life. As it breaks down, alfalfa meal improves soil structure and supports long-term fertility.
Azomite
Azomite is a mineral-rich soil amendment containing a broad spectrum of micronutrients, including boron, cobalt, copper, iron, magnesium, molybdenum, and zinc. These micronutrients are essential for plant health and growth, playing crucial roles in various physiological processes.
Blood Meal
Blood meal primarily serves as a source of nitrogen (N) for plants, but it also contains trace amounts of other micronutrients. While its main focus is on providing nitrogen for vegetative growth, blood meal can also contribute to the overall health of the soil ecosystem by improving soil structure and microbial activity.
Bone Meal
Bone meal contains several micronutrients essential for plant health. These include magnesium, zinc, and iron, which are present in trace amounts. These micronutrients contribute to overall plant resilience and help prevent deficiencies in the soil. Bone meal also provides the macronutrients phosphorus and calcium, which are crucial for root development, disease prevention, and plant growth.
Epsom Salts
Epsom salts are a source of the micronutrients magnesium and sulfur. These nutrients are important for plant health and growth. Magnesium is crucial for chlorophyll production and nutrient uptake, while sulfur is essential for protein synthesis.
Feather Meal
Feather meal offers a slow-release source of nitrogen that provides long-lasting nutrition for steady, healthy growth. As it decomposes, it gently feeds plants and supports microbial life without the risk of burning roots. Ideal for long-season crops, it helps build strong, lush foliage over time.
Fish Meal
Fish meal is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and vital micronutrients that feed both plants and soil microbes. It encourages strong vegetative growth, vigorous root development, and early plant establishment. Its natural proteins and amino acids nourish beneficial soil organisms, promoting healthier, more resilient plants.
Greensand
Greensand, primarily composed of glauconite, is a rich source of micronutrients like iron, manganese, copper, zinc, and boron, in addition to potassium and other trace minerals. These micronutrients are essential for plant growth and development, playing vital roles in various enzymatic processes and overall plant health.
Kelp Meal
Kelp meal is a rich source of various micronutrients, including calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, manganese, zinc, and iodine. It also contains trace minerals like selenium, boron, and copper. Kelp meal is often used as a fertilizer to provide these essential micronutrients to plants.
Oyster Shell Flour
Oyster shell flour is primarily a source of calcium, but it also contains various micronutrients that are beneficial for soil health and plant growth. These include zinc, selenium, iron, copper, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Rock Phosphate
Rock phosphate is a natural source of phosphorus and calcium, but it also contains various micronutrients in trace amounts. These micronutrients include iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu).
Sulfate of Potash
Sulfate of potash provides plants with essential potassium and sulfur—two nutrients that enhance root development, fruit quality, and overall plant vigor. Potassium strengthens stems, improves drought and disease resistance, and boosts flavor and color in fruits and flowers, while sulfur supports protein formation and enzyme activity for healthy growth.