side dressing

kdoble · June 19, 2008

I have determinates growing in SWC's that are ready for a side dressing of fertilizer, but I need some advice/ideas with 2 issues: 1- I have the red plastic "mulch" covering the soil and 2- When I peeked under the mulch I saw many shallow roots that would be easily disturbed if I try to mix into the top layer of soil . Any ideas on how I can apply? I'm not sure if adding a water soluable fertilizer to the reservoir is a good idea. I have a "well balanced slow release fertilizer that will not burn tomatoes". Would it be okay to sprinkle that in the outer perimeter of the soil and some in the holes of the "mulch" where the stems are growing?

jcmorse33 · June 20, 2008

If the red plastic mulch you are using is water impermiable then you should be able to use a fertilizer strip similar to what is normally done when using an Earthbox or some homemade knock off such as Ray's Earthtainers. If it is water permiable then you may not want to have such a high concentration of fertilizer due to runoff concerns when it rains.

If the later is the case I would go ahead and side dress lifting the plastic mulch to spring the fertilizer evenly, then putting it back in place and just repeat at the recommended side dressing intervals. As long as the fertilizer is covered with the plastic mulch moisture that is held under the mulch should slowly dissolve the fertilizer and wick it down into the container mix for the roots to absorb.

creister · June 21, 2008

Have you considered foliar feeding? That is a very easy alternative.

kdoble · June 23, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by creister

Have you considered foliar feeding? That is a very easy alternative.

I am not familiar with foliar feeding...how do I do that?

June 19, 2008	#1
kdoble Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Wayne, PA zone 6b Posts: 57	side dressing I have determinates growing in SWC's that are ready for a side dressing of fertilizer, but I need some advice/ideas with 2 issues: 1- I have the red plastic "mulch" covering the soil and 2- When I peeked under the mulch I saw many shallow roots that would be easily disturbed if I try to mix into the top layer of soil . Any ideas on how I can apply? I'm not sure if adding a water soluable fertilizer to the reservoir is a good idea. I have a "well balanced slow release fertilizer that will not burn tomatoes". Would it be okay to sprinkle that in the outer perimeter of the soil and some in the holes of the "mulch" where the stems are growing?

June 20, 2008	#2
jcmorse33 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Central Virginia Posts: 242	If the red plastic mulch you are using is water impermiable then you should be able to use a fertilizer strip similar to what is normally done when using an Earthbox or some homemade knock off such as Ray's Earthtainers. If it is water permiable then you may not want to have such a high concentration of fertilizer due to runoff concerns when it rains. If the later is the case I would go ahead and side dress lifting the plastic mulch to spring the fertilizer evenly, then putting it back in place and just repeat at the recommended side dressing intervals. As long as the fertilizer is covered with the plastic mulch moisture that is held under the mulch should slowly dissolve the fertilizer and wick it down into the container mix for the roots to absorb.

June 21, 2008	#3
creister Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Abilene, TX zone 7 Posts: 1,478	Have you considered foliar feeding? That is a very easy alternative.