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Questions about organics in late winter

10 years ago

I live in the mid-desert southwest. If is still pretty cold in Feb, but I see rose care articles saying you can start with organics like fish emulsion, alfalfa, seaweed etc at this time.

I thought the above ferts needed warm soil temps (60 degree plus) to break down and be effective? Furthermore, I also thought that adding these during cold weather could prompt ammonium toxicity?

Thoughts? Thanks.

Comment (1)

henryinct
10 years ago
I don't think Las Vegas is that much colder than Pasadena where I am and I planted my first roses here in December last year. The ground here never even gets that cold and they grow right from the start. I imagine your soil is as bad as mine is so I would work in as much organic material (compost) as you can and pile on mulch. And by all means fertilize with organics. I have two barrels of steer manure in water only because I haven't been able to find alfalfa. They love the steer manure. Also I would think that if there was ammonia you would smell it and if you do I wouldn't use it. I have never smelled it with any king of organic concoction I've used.
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