TIPStricks
What are ControlledRelease Fertilizers? Many of us who enjoy gardening or grow plants in pots on the balcony use fertilizers that are characterized as “enhanced.” They may have descriptions like “improved nutrient uptake,” “6 months feeding,” and “feed and forget.” We use such fertilizer to provide extra nutrients to the plants we grow. The March 15 Soils Matter blog for the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) reviews what makes these products enhanced fertilizers and how they can be so long-lasting. According to blogger Kirsten Verburg, “Sometimes the fertilizers contain organic sources that are slowly recycled by soil microbes and other life in the soil, releasing nutrients in the process. This too is a slow-release fertilizer.” However, when the fertilizers are sold and referred to as “controlled release,” the fertilizer granules containing the nutrients are usually covered with a coating. The nutrients are released slowly through the coating. The idea is to make the coating so it releases the nutrients just when the plant needs them, or in other words, to ensure that release and plant uptake are synchronized. Many farmers use fertilizers and some of them are interested in the use of controlled-release fertilizers. Just like in our gardens, these products may reduce labor (and fuel) costs associated with fertilizer application. These types of fertilizers need water to start releasing nutrients. Initially the fertilizer inside the coated pellet is dry. The coating allows water to move slowly inside the pellets, which then dissolves the fertilizer. The dissolved fertilizer then moves through the coating and becomes available to the crop. As time goes on, the concentration of fertilizer inside the granules reduces, which causes a gradual slowing down of the rate of release. To read the full blog post, visit https://soilsmatter.wordpress. com/2022/03/15/what-are-controlledrelease-fertilizers/. This blog is based on research by Verburg and her colleagues that was published in the Soil Science Society of America Journal. o 10
WASHINGTON GARDENER
MARCH 2022
How to Stop Your Garden from Getting Waterlogged in Periods of Heavy Rain Our gardens love rain, and during the warmer, drier periods, they flourish under this natural watering system. However, heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds can cause all kinds of problems in our gardens and be potentially harmful to flowerbeds. Hundreds of flood alerts during strong winds and heavy rain take place across the country and the globe—mainly in the rainy spring season. With this in mind, the team at WeThrift shared their top tips for how to take care of your garden during wet weather. 1. Collect rainwater Surface water flooding or waterlogging is when rainwater is unable to drain away from the grass or other areas of the garden it has fallen onto. This leaves no air spaces in the saturated soil, causing plants and grass to literally drown. Collecting rainwater in a barrel or cistern will help prevent any excess water from pouring onto the grass. Use a rainwater diverter to connect your roofline drainage to the water-storing tank. It’s a great way to minimize the impact of heavy rainfall, and the water can be used for plants or even to wash cars. If the water level gets too high, simply pour it down the outside drain. 2. Clear gutters and outside drains Fallen leaves and other types of debris can build up in gutters and outside drains over time. Without cleaning, overflowing water from gutters during heavy rainfall could wash away soil, destroy flowerbeds, and cause waterlogging, as well as damage to decking. Climbing onto the roof or standing below the gutter could be dangerous when you are trying to clean your drainage system during a storm. Wait until the rain has passed. If you don’t have the correct equipment, it’s better to call a professional service to take care of this for you. 3. Aerate your soil When soil is too compact, that prevents water from seeping in. This in turn causes the rainwater to sit on top of the soil, which eventually floods flowerbeds and other areas of the garden. Aerating
your lawn provides the soil with good air circulation and a route for water to flow. This can be done with a lawn rake or a aerator tool to poke a hole directly into the soil. 4. Invest in high-quality mulch Mulch is usually made from organic materials like wood chippings. It is applied to the surface of the soil to suppress weeds, keep the soil cool, prevent frost damage, disperse water, and prevent flooding. Introducing mulch around your garden, or any areas where you have plants or soil, will help to absorb as much rainwater as possible. When it comes to laying mulch, you should make it 2-4 inches deep. The mulch should be heavy enough that it won’t float away if it is overflowing with rainwater. 5. Create a rain garden Identify areas of your garden that get waterlogged easily during a storm and create a rain garden in their place. Instead of letting these areas turn into muddy pits, a rain garden can help catch rainwater runoff in a practical and beautiful way. Your rain garden can incorporate a mix of large and small plants, small trees, flowers, grass, and any other elements that you can think of. The more parts you add to your rain garden, the more water they require to grow, therefore decreasing the amount of water flooding in your garden. 6. Add leaf mould/leaf mulch Leaf mould is formed from decaying or partially composted autumn leaves and is a great soil conditioner. The leaf mould helps the soil absorb and retain more rainwater, which will in turn help prevent flooding of your flower beds and lawn during a storm. You can add leaf mould once a year. 7. Add a French drain A more expensive solution to preventing your garden from flooding is to build a drain; in particular, a French drain. Although this is likely to involve additional costs, installing a French drain would allow water to run away from the problem areas. This method is the perfect choice for those who have gardens that suffer from frequent flooding. Learn more at https://www.wethrift. com/tag/garden. o
