What is the best fertilizer for lilac plants?
Fertilizing Lilacs: What is the Best Fertilizer?
Fertilizer is a key component of a healthy garden and can be used to enhance the growth of plants, including lilacs.
For those looking to fertilize their lilacs, understanding what fertilizer works best and when to apply it will help ensure optimal growth and blooming capabilities of these lovely plants.
In this article, we will discuss the benefits of bone meal as fertilizer specifically for lilacs, when you should fertilize, other types of fertilizer that can be used on lilacs, how to apply the fertilizer, and some do’s and don’ts when it comes to fertilizing your lilacs.
What is Fertilizer?
Fertilizers are materials added to soil to supplement the essential nutrients necessary for plant growth and health. The three main nutrients found in most fertilizers are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K).
These macro-nutrients are important for plant growth and development as they help with photosynthesis, protein synthesis, cell division, flowering, fruit set and ripening, root development, and more!
Different ratios of N-P-K found in fertilizers will be beneficial for different stages in a plant’s life cycle; so it is important to select a fertilizer that suits your particular needs depending on the stage of growth your plants are in or what you want them to achieve (e.g., blooms).
Benefits of Bone Meal for Lilac Plants
Bone meal is an organic fertilizer that’s made from steamed animal bones ground into a powdery form; it’s rich in phosphorus which is great for promoting root growth as well as flower production on lilac bushes!
It’s also great because it helps make soil more alkaline which helps make it easier for the lilac plants to absorb nutrients from the soil more readily; this makes bone meal an ideal choice if you want your lilacs to thrive!
When To Fertilize Lilac Plants
Fertilizing isn’t strictly necessary except after the first two years of planting a lilac bush; afterwards you should fertilize your bush every spring with 1/4 cup of bone meal per square foot around the base of each bush before flowers begin appearing (however if you live in an area with sandy soil then you may need more).
This will help promote strong roots as well as plenty of flowers come springtime!
Other Fertilizers For Lilac Plants
In addition to bone meal there are other types of fertilizer that can be used on these lovely plants such as fish emulsion or composted manure (just make sure whatever type you use doesn’t have any chemical additives!).
Fish emulsion is especially good if you want an organic option since it contains natural nutrients like trace minerals, amino acids & vitamins which can help boost overall plant health – plus it smells fantastic too!
Composted manure is also great since it provides slow release nitrogen which helps promote leafy growth while still providing important trace minerals & vitamins needed by plants too!
How To Apply Fertilizer To Lilac Plants
To apply any type of fertilizer simply spread it evenly around the base & sides of each bush before covering with a thin layer of mulch or soil; this will help keep moisture in & prevent runoff from washing away any valuable nutrients – plus mulching helps suppress weeds too!
You should also water your bushes after applying any type of fertilizer so that all those vital nutrients get absorbed quickly into the surrounding soil & start benefiting your plants right away!
Do’s And Don’ts Of Fertilizing Lilacs
Do: Make sure you use slow release fertilizers that won’t burn your plants or wash away into nearby bodies off water – this includes following instructions carefully & not over applying any type off fertilizer!
Also remember that lilacs should only be fertilized once per year so don’t overdo it & stick with organic options when possible too!
Don’t: Don’t use high nitrogen fertilizers on your lilacs as this can cause them too grow too vigorously leading to poor blooming capabilities come spring time – stick with slow release options instead or avoid using any additional nitrogen altogether!
Also don’t forget too water after applying any type off fertilizer so that all those essential nutrients get absorbed quickly into the surrounding soil & start benefiting your plant right away!
Conclusion
Fertilizing your lilacs is an important part off keeping them healthy & happy but it does need too be done correctly otherwise you could end up doing more harm than good!
Bone meal is an excellent choice since its natural plant food easy for the lilac too intake plus its great at making soils more alkaline making nutrient absorption much easier – just remember not too overdo it & only apply once per year after their first two years off planting!
Other options like fish emulsion or composted manure are also great depending on what type off nutrition boost you’re looking too provide but whatever you do make sure its organic & slow release so not too burn your precious plants & always remember too water after applying so those valuable nutrients get absorbed quickly into the surrounding soil helping benefit your plants right away.
