Hey everyone! I'm a bit behind on starting my container garden with bare root strawberries, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, and leafy greens. I've mixed my own soil using cow manure compost, coco coir, and perlite/vermiculite, then added some organic granular fertilizer from Espoma and Dr. Earth. My question is, can I use my synthetic fertilizer (Floranova Grow) to give my plants a boost, and then switch to just the organic fertilizer once it breaks down? I've had success with this method in growing dragon fruit, but I'm new to growing vegetables and smaller fruits. Any insights would be appreciated!
2 Answers
Just a heads up, while using synthetic nutrients can give you quick results, too much of it can harm your plants. Organic nutrients are generally safer since they don’t usually lead to buildup issues. It’s all about finding the right balance!
In reality, there's not much difference between organic and synthetic fertilizers; it’s just about the source. Both provide nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, but organic versions usually release more slowly. If you're not selling your produce, mixing both might be a great option. I prep with organics like bone and blood meal, but I also use synthetic and fish emulsion for regular feedings.
That's true! The main thing to remember is that synthetic nutrients can harm the plant if overused, whereas organic ones are more forgiving.