I'm really new to gardening and have just finished reading the Square Foot Gardening (SFG) book. I understand that for annual plants, it's recommended to refresh the soil with a trowel full of compost each time I plant something new. However, I'm curious about how to fertilize and feed perennials. What's the best approach for that?
2 Answers
I initially thought this was about a new trend! 😅 A great way to feed your perennials is to save some garden leaves and grass clippings. Just bag them up or put them in a bucket for a few months, and then use that as mulch around the roots. It helps filter nutrients from the cuttings and keeps the moisture up!
Absolutely, the key is to apply compost after planting. With perennials, I recommend side dressing them yearly with compost too. It helps nourish the plants through the growing season!
Sorry if this is a bit of a silly question, but could you explain side dressing? Like, how much compost should I use and how close to the plant should I put it?