![]() In most situations it is best to have as much of the nitrogen in slow release form. Soluble nitrogen is available to the Bermuda Grass plant immediately while slow release nitrogen becomes available over a period of two to three months. Most major brands of lawn fertilizer will have a combination of soluble and slow release forms of nitrogen (indicated on the label). It is important to use slow release fertilizers whenever possible. The remaining 76% is inert material that adds bulk to the mixture and makes it easier to spread. A bag of 12-4-8 fertilizer contains 12% nitrogen, 4% phosphorus, and 8% potassium by weight. Whenever possible use a slow release fertilizer with a 3-1-2 ratio. All fertilizer bags are clearly labeled with these three numbers known as N-P-K ratio. In heavy clay: add 8 to 10 pounds per 100 square feet.Type of Fertilizer to use on Bermuda Grassįertilizer is described by the percentages of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) contained in the bag. In loam (good garden soil): add 7 to 8 pounds per 100 square feet. In sandy soil: add 3 to 4 pounds of ground limestone per 100 square feet. To raise the pH of your soil by about one point:.Apply no more than 2 pounds per 100 square feet, every two to three years, and test your soil each year to monitor the effects. Wood ash can also "burn" foliage, so for best results, apply it directly to the soil in the winter. It is very concentrated, and applying too much of it can drastically alter the pH and cause nutrient imbalances. It works more quickly than limestone and adds potassium and trace elements to the soil. Apply it in the fall as it takes several months for the effects to be noticeable. Dolomitic limestone will also add magnesium to the soil. The most common way to raise the pH of your soil (make it more alkaline and less acidic) is to add powdered Garden Lime.You should also expect that over time, the pH will revert to its original level, which is dictated by the native soil conditions. The effect of adding materials to raise or lower the pH may not be immediately apparent. If you are trying to maintain a certain pH level, you should test your soil each year. Once you've tested the pH level of the soil where you intend to plant your hydrangea using a pH test kit, pH meter, or by submitting a soil sample to your local extension service, you'll have a baseline. To raise the pH of a naturally acidic soil, apply Garden Lime at the rate specified on the package. You can apply a high-phosphorus fertilizer to further discourage the uptake of aluminum. If you prefer pink blooms, your hydrangea should be deprived of aluminum by growing it in an alkaline soil with a pH of 6.0-6.2. (However, you can grow fabulous pink hydrangeas!) Conditions for Pink Hydrangeas Alkaline soil tends to "lock up" the aluminum, making it unavailable to the plant. If the pH of your soil is naturally quite high (alkaline) it will be very difficult to get blue flowers - even if there's plenty of aluminum in the soil. Soil pH can also be lowered (more gradually) by applying an acidic organic mulch, such as pine needles or pine bark. If your soil is more alkaline, you can lower the pH by applying Soil Acidifier at the rate specified on the package. ![]() ![]() To encourage blue hydrangea flowers, grow the plant in soil that has a pH of 5.2-5.5.
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