I never seem to get around to it. I did use a liquid fertilizer on a small section of the garden this year and fully intended to do the rest, but there's never enough time to get everything done.

If I ever do get really efficient and start fertilizing on a strict schedule, I should be able to get along for years with just the stuff that's already on the garage shelves. I have no problem buying all types of fertilizer. Actually applying it is a different matter, however.

You sound like me

Zuzu- you mean you don't fertilize your roses??

I never fertilize my perennial beds as they get leaves, compost, etc.

IF I fertilize veggies, it's organic.

This year, for the first time in forever, I used the blue stuff on my annuals - WOW - did they bloom big and pretty

I did fertilize about 200 of them a few weeks ago, Trish, but that was a first. So far, I see no difference beween those and the rest, so maybe I'll even stop intending to fertilize.

My thinking is that if it doesn't need doing, don't do it!

I've always suspected that it might need doing, so that's why I'm giving it a try. If I continue to see no difference, I'll happily give up.

Any discussion of chemical fertilizers always reminds me of the old story of the snake oil salesman who was selling people a super-duper fertilizer. It did have an almost immediate impact on the health and vigor of plants. The reason, however, was that the absolutely useless stuff he was selling had to be applied in conjunction with copious amounts of water, and the water was restoring the health and vigor of the plants.

Tsk tsk, those snakes.

Zuzu, reminds me of the old "stone soup" story....

Yes, Mary, it is like that story, except that one teaches a lesson in generosity and this one teaches a lesson in common sense. There's a reason these stories stay around.