Guest guest Posted February 7, 2001 Report Share Posted February 7, 2001 Hi, I've never grown medicinal herbs before, so I wanted to know what you all use for fertilizer. I was told to not fertilize the first year? I am going to use a soil for potted plants. It has all kinds of organic stuff in it, along with chicken manure. And when I fertilize, can I use Osmocote? It is a extended release granule-ball-like fert. I have one that is for outdoor/indoor that is 18-6-12, and one for vegetable/bedding that is 14-14-14. AND, I have terrible problems with whiteflys, slugs, mites, and aphids. I tried the yellow stickys, but can I use the summer oils? I am going at this very carefully, and maybe I can grow at least one of these herbs, lol Thank you Take good care and have a great day. Love, Renee and Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2001 Report Share Posted February 7, 2001 Renee, I use for aphids a strong garlic tea that kills them and will not harm the plants. I use it on my roses. I also use for a fertilizer and this is really gross but it works great. I have 3 dogs and we clean the presents up and place them in a pile in the far corner of the property mixed in soil but I take some place in a large jar (pickle jar) with warm water and leave for 3 weeks. It makes a great fertilizer for the plants and they love it. I spray around the base of the plant. But I do wear a mask (self-explanatory). I am planting a big garden this year if hubby gets yard done but I am planting herbs along the side of the house. I hope this helps. Gina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2001 Report Share Posted February 7, 2001 Renee and Jerry... every herb has different requirements, but are you gardening in the ground or in pots? Assuming outdoors, you should get a soil test done from your local ag extension service, and go from there. They can also give you a lot of gardening literature tailored for your part of the world...bug stuff, too. The first fertilizer you mentioned is more for promoting green growth and general plant health than it is for flowering plants. The second is more balanced. I do not use fertilizers on outdoor herbs much at all, except for a few organic concoctions from collected seaweeds and manures...i just try to keep healthy soil. Indoor plants tend to like it though. Anyway...your question is really huge...and I am not sure how to answer it all at once. What do you mean by summer oils? Joanie >Hi, I've never grown medicinal herbs before, so I wanted to know what >you all use for fertilizer. >I was told to not fertilize the first year? I am going to use a soil >for potted plants. It has all kinds of organic stuff in it, along with >chicken manure. >And when I fertilize, can I use Osmocote? It is a extended release >granule-ball-like fert. I have one that is for outdoor/indoor that is >18-6-12, and one for vegetable/bedding that is 14-14-14. >AND, I have terrible problems with whiteflys, slugs, mites, and aphids. >I tried the yellow stickys, but can I use the summer oils? I am going >at this very carefully, and maybe I can grow at least one of these >herbs, lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2001 Report Share Posted February 7, 2001 The oil is Cooke summer and dormant oil and is 99% petroleum oil. It suffocates the whitefly eggs. I was going to put all the herbs (chamomile, calendula, SJW, and echinacea) in a wooden planter box, maybe 6' x 1 or so bec. I have NO room. I think now it may be best to get the terracota pots and plant individually. I buy a good quality soil. The 14-14-14 fert. for veg. is good for up to 9 months feeding. Just sprinkle a small amount on top of soil. Maybe as you say, the soil is most important, I can just add an inch of fresh new soil to plants every spring? I can't afford to purchase many different items. Thanks again Take good care and have a great day. Love, Renee and Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2001 Report Share Posted February 8, 2001 Gina, Thank you. I will try the garlic tea. Good luck on your garden, Take good care and have a great day. Love, Renee and Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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