All fertilizing articles

garden fundamentals

The Basics of Fertilizing

All edible plants remove some nutrients from the soil, and some have such huge appetites that they quickly exhaust the soil (and then produce a poor crop) without the help of fertilizer. Fertilizer is especially helpful early on, when plants are making fast new growth. The key is to match the fertilizing strategy to the plant.

the bonnie difference

What's in a Package of Fertilizer?

Fertilizer often includes key main ingredients that are essential to plant health. When buying fertilizer, understanding these basics can help you choose the best fertilizer for your garden.

garden fundamentals

Fertilizer and Healthy Soil

Discover how fertilizer can help feed your garden, so you'll have the kind of healthy soil that leads to healthy plants and better harvests.

garden fundamentals

A Rundown of Fertilizer Forms and Types

What are the differences among the many forms of fertilizer that you see in shopping aisles? Learn the ins and outs of fertilizer to help determine what to buy.

garden fundamentals

How to Use Manure as Fertilizer

If you’ve been gardening for any length of time, you’ve probably know of folks who use composted manure as fertilizer. After all, it’s high in nutrients and can work wonders in the garden — plus, it’s free! It can be difficult, though, to know not only which kinds of manure to use, but also when it’s safe to put in your garden. Use this handy guide to the most common types of animal manure.

garden fundamentals

Conquer Blossom End Rot

If you see a black, sunken spot on the end of your tomatoes, you've got blossom end rot. Learn what causes blossom end rot and ways to prevent it.

garden fundamentals

Why Does pH Matter?

Simply put, plants grow better when planted in soil with the correct pH level. If pH is too high or too low, plants won't be as productive. Learn more here.

how to grow

Growing Cabbage

Learn how to grow cabbage. The trick to growing cabbage is steady, uninterrupted growth. That means rich soil, plenty of water, and good fertilization.

garden fundamentals

Smart Compost Shopping: Buying Bagged Compost at the Store

Compost provides your garden with rich, organic material to help your plants grow. If you want to add to your garden soil or get your compost pile started, these four types of store-bought compost can help.

garden fundamentals

Caring for Vegetables in Pots

From planting to growing, learn how to care for your vegetables when gardening in a pot. Info on fertilizer, watering frequency and more.

garden fundamentals

Planting Tomatoes Step-by-Step

Perhaps more than any other vegetable, tomatoes depend on proper planting so they can provide you with loads of fruit throughout the summer. Before you plan, check out our step-by-step instructions ...

garden fundamentals

You Must Use a Good Potting Mix

When you look at the root system of a Bonnie plant, you’ll find a “soil” mix that grows healthy roots. You may be surprised that it is not real soil from the earth. Instead, it's a potting mix (also called potting soil)... .

how to grow

Growing Sweet Marjoram

Try growing sweet marjoram in your garden during warm months, then bring it inside to keep harvesting the tasty leaves throughout the winter.

how to grow

Growing Watermelons

Few things taste better than a homegrown watermelon. Get expert tips for growing watermelons in your own spring and summer garden.

how to grow

Growing Bee Balm

Bee balm is a beautiful flower that's as attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds as it is to humans. Get expert tips for growing bee balm in your garden.

how to grow

Growing Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi grows alongside its cabbage-family cousins in the cool-season vegetable garden. Learn expert tips for growing kohlrabi.

garden fundamentals

The Soil is Alive. Really!

In the soil beneath your feet, there’s an invisible world filled with life-and-death drama. Scientists call this world the soil food web. This web features a diversity of creatures, from microscopic bacteria, fungi, and algae, to mites and nematodes, to earthworms, ants, spiders, and plant roots.

how to grow

Growing Peppers

From sweet to spicy to just hot as heck, get expert tips on growing peppers in your home garden, evn indoors from Bonnie Plants.

how to grow

Growing Cucumbers

Learn expert tips for growing cucumbers in your vegetable garden. Cucumber is a relatively easy plant to grow and really easy to eat!

how to grow

Growing Kale

Learn expert tips for growing kale. This cold-hardy vegetable can be planted in spring or fall, and is easy to care for if you follow these tips.

how to grow

Growing Lettuce

Read these expert tips on growing lettuce. Save money and grow your own salad greens in your vegetable garden. It is much more simple then you may think!

how to grow

Growing Brussels Sprouts

Growing Brussels sprouts requires cool weather. They are a slow-growing, long-bearing crop that grows best in cooler regions, or in early spring or fall.

garden fundamentals

Prep Soil Now for Next Season

Before you lock up those garden tools for the winter, here’s a great idea for getting a jumpstart on your spring garden: Spend a bit of time improving the soil in your beds. Not only will it put you on the path to a healthy, productive garden...

how to grow

Growing Oregano

Try growing oregano for a tasty addition to many Italian and Greek dishes, or simply for a lush groundcover. Learn to plant, grow, and harvest oregano.