I admit I have a memory like a sieve-only the big stuff remains! I have trouble remembering the N-P-K, 0-0-0, thing about fertilizer. But I found a quick and easy way to remember which does what. Leaves-Flowers-Roots! Whichever number is highest (5-10-5, eg.) means that you are stimulating that growth. Now I admit I use composted manure and garden compost, so I have no idea what the numbers would be, but if you buy bagged fertilizer with the Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium (K) labeled, you can tell if it's right for your application. For a simpleton like me, L-F-R is easier than 25-10-10!
Very helpful information Jane and the timing couldn't have been better for me, I was going to be searching which one of those letters I needed for my garden this year. Last growing season my plants had good roots and lots of leaves but very few flowers. My memory is going to have to have a little more of a boost to remember LFR instead of RFL or FLR...Leaves come up first, followed by Flowers and they all come from the Roots. Thanks much
Hey Marlin, I like that! L F R I'm like that too, no matter how mant times I have had it drilled into my brain, I always seem to need to stop, and go over it again. This makes it easier to explain to my customers too. Thanks
Thanks Jane, I love rules of thumb, they are so much easier to remember. I wonder how many more are stored away in other members minds that we can use? Like Prune spring flowering bushes AFTER they have flowered. Or use grub killer on your lawn BEFORE the forsythia blossoms fall Jerry
Jerry, why don't we start a "rules of thumb that greenthumbs need to know" and post all the little tidbits of esoteric information stored away in our brains. We could do it on the Gardening Other forum. You do have good ideas (probably all that cold bracing air that you breathe in.)
