Today, we shared our garden fertilizer schedule for Zone 8A Alabama on our YouTube. We walked through the products we are using, why we chose them and what our routine looks like going forward. This is something we are still learning and we just want to share what is working for us here in Alabama!
Why We Changed Our Garden Fertilizer Schedule
Last growing season we primarily used Alaska Fish Fertilizer and it served us well to a point. But fish fertilizer can only supply so much nitrogen and we were not supplementing with anything else.
Looking back we think that is part of the reason our tomatoes and cucumbers underperformed. The plants looked beautiful and lush but they did not produce as much as we expected.
This season we did some research and decided it was time to change things up. The bottom line is this — you have to feed your garden. Your soil and compost will supply some nutrients but not everything your plants need.
Understanding NPK — What Do Those Numbers Mean?
Before we share the products we are using it helps to understand what the numbers on fertilizer labels mean. Every fertilizer has three numbers — nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).
- Nitrogen supports leafy green growth
- Phosphorus supports root development and fruit production
- Potassium supports overall plant health and disease resistance
Knowing this helped us figure out exactly what our plants needed and why our garden was underproducing last season.
Product 1 — Miracle Gro All Purpose Plant Food 12-4-8
(For nitrogen loving plants)
For our nitrogen loving plants we are using Miracle Gro All Purpose Plant Food with a 12-4-8 ratio — 12% nitrogen, 4% phosphorus and 8% potassium.
Plants we used this on:
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
- Honeydew melon
- Cantaloupe
- Kale
- Lettuce
We mixed it according to the directions and watered all of our nitrogen loving plants with the solution. We picked this up from Tractor Supply for about $10.
Product 2 — Alaska Morbloom 0-10-10
(For phosphorus and potassium loving plants)
For our fruit and flower producing plants we are using Alaska Morbloom with a 0-10-10 ratio — no nitrogen, 10% phosphorus and 10% potassium.
While nitrogen makes leaves look lush and green it is phosphorus and potassium that support fruit production. This is exactly where we want to see more results this season!
Plants we used this on:
- Cucumbers
- Strawberries
- Peppers
- Flowering plants & varieties
We used one tablespoon to start since this is our first time trying it. We may increase to two tablespoons for flowers down the road. We found this at Tractor Supply for about $12 — almost one liter so it should last a good while.
Our Garden Fertilizer Schedule Going Forward
For our Zone 8A garden fertilizer schedule we plan to fertilize every Saturday or Sunday to stay consistent. Both liquid fertilizers can be applied every 7 to 14 days depending on the plant and product.
We are also considering adding bone meal into our routine as a slow release phosphorus and potassium option. Bone meal is a granular fertilizer that is applied every 6 to 8 weeks so it would complement our weekly liquid routine well.
Should You Stake Sunflowers in Zone 8A?
This came up in our research since we noticed our sunflowers were leaning. From what we found you do not necessarily have to stake sunflowers — it really depends on the variety.
One interesting thing we came across is that sunflowers can actually be used to support other plants like cucumbers by acting as a natural trellis. We are not committing to that just yet but it is something we are keeping in mind!
The Bottom Line on Fertilizing Your Garden
If there is one thing our garden fertilizer schedule for Zone 8A has taught us so far it is this — you have to feed your garden consistently. Good soil and compost are a great foundation but they will not supply everything your plants need to thrive and produce.
We are still learning and refining our approach but we are excited to see how this change impacts our harvest this season. We will keep sharing everything as we go!
Chat soon!
Sister Roots Farm