Basic Fertilizer Information

All fertilizers, either chemical or organic in nature have three main nutrient ingredients, nitrogen, phosphorus and potash. The percentage of each nutrient is represented by numbers prominently displayed on the container, for example 6-20-22 or 25-5-5. The order is always the same, nitrogen then phosphorus and then potash.
Nitrogen is for the green parts of the plant, leaves and stems. Phosphorus feeds the plant for vigorous growth of flowers, fruits and roots. Potash also helps in development of the flowers, fruits and roots but also helps the plant-utilized trace elements such as iron, boron and magnesium.
Fertilizers for established lawns are formulated with high levels of nitrogen and lower levels of phosphorus and potash. When starting new lawns either by seeding or sodding use a high phosphorus formulation for better root development for the new lawn. Flower and vegetable gardens produce best using high phosphorus, potash formulations. There is a plethora of fertilizer formulations available to the gardener, all touted by their manufacturers as “The Best” fertilizer. Using the rule of thumb, high nitrogen for lawns and high phosphorus, high potash for flowers and vegetables you can’t go far wrong. Before using a fertilizer read the label and follow the application recommendations.

Neill

Some Gardening Basics

For the first time gardener, here are a few basic things that can get you on the right track to successful gardening.
There are nine hardiness zones and each of these further divided into two sub zones. You can see a map of Canadian hardiness zones here http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/environment/forest/forestcanada/planthardi
Any plant will grow well in areas that are higher that the one recommended.
Other pieces of information that will help with you gardening is the average last frost in the spring, http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/archives/5thedition/environment/climate/mcr4035 and the average last frost in the fall http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/archives/5thedition/environment/climate/mcr4036. These dates can help you when it is the best time to plant in the spring and gives you an idea on when it would be advisable to harvest your vegetables.
Information on average frost free period http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/archives/5thedition/environment/climate/mcr4037can help you choose the varieties that will grow well for the amount of frost free period for your area.

Information about your property that would be advantageous to have when going to your local garden center, would be the square footage of your property, square footage of individual garden beds, how much sunny or shaded areas on your property. Knowing the type of soil in your garden so bringing in a small sample, (about 1 cup) can give the garden personnel an idea of what type of soil you have and what to do if anything to the physical properties of the soil.
Knowing the nutrient levels, nitrogen, prosperous and potassium, and the PH, alkalinity or acidity (for the big definition if you want http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PH ) of you soil can be a help also. Soil testing kits can be bought at you garden center and are very easy to use, including in them a list of levels needed for a large variety of plants and recommendations of what to use to make the soil conditions the best possible for the plants you are growing.
This is some of the basic information that you can supply to your garden center that will help you to grow the best garden you can.
Subsequent posts will expand of this information.
I hope to have these posts to be two-way exchanges of information. If there are comments or ideas you wish to share please don’t hesitate to add them.

Neill

Garden Tool

I was reading through the June issue of Better Homes and Gardens (June 2009) and I came across a nifty little garden gadget....the sunlight calculator . According to the manufacturer it will allow its user to have a better understanding of direct sunlight during a 12 hour period. Best of all its reusable and retails for $30.

-Cheers,

Robin

Garden Guy :: Spring is here!!!

Hello All,

Due to the overwhelming demand our Garden Guy is a few days behind schedule on his email replies. Please be patient, he is catching up! If you have a question for him, please contact our Windmill Lane location (613.741.4430) and ask for Darrell.

-Ritchie's

Welcome...

Ritchie's would like to welcome you to our blog. Here you will find information posted by our staff members concerning any an all topics related to gardening!

It has been a long time coming but it has now arrived...our gardening database. You can find it at our PLANT LIST page. We will revising its content shortly to match some last minute changes to our inventory this spring.

This fantastic new tool will allow you to create a "my plants list" for future reference. You can print out a customized shopping list for your next shopping trip to one of our garden centres. We also provide you with the ability to email your list to one of knowledgeable staff members in order to get a quote or reserve stock.

We look forward to seeing you this spring!

-Ritchie's