Hello - sorry to post another question so soon. I've done searches online and get hugely varied information. I know clematis like sun and cool feet.

For a northern gardener...... When should one start and end fertilizing and how often should it be done?

Can anyone recommend a fertilizer or the NPK ratio? I've seen 10-30-20 and 10-10-10, basically recommendations are all over the place.

Thanks in advance!

Is your Clematis in a pot or in the ground? How long has it been planted? What did you plant it in (soil type)?

Sorry!!!

Most were planted in the ground last year, 2017. Two are older, maybe the year before. The ground should not be acidic - no pines around. Looks like pretty good soil to me - dark and well drained. All the other plants do well. But if course I pamper them....

It doesn't really matter what fertilizer you use but use something that is well balanced and has micronutrients. As your plants are established, you can start fertilizing them now - plan 3 - 4 times in a growing season: spring when they start to grow, early summer, and late summer, with at least 4 but no more than 6 weeks in between each feeding (for me, that would be now, mid June and the last of July/first of August because I fertilize every 6 weeks). Don't fertilize in the fall as that may encourage your plants to put on new growth just in time of a hard freeze.

Ok! I figured not to fertilize too late in the fall as to discourage growth when the plant should be shutting down. I'll add every six weeks to my phone calendar and use Osmocote if it has micronutrients.

Thanks again! Check these pics out from before I planted them.....

Osmocote is my favorite fertilizer. Those are really pretty Clematis.

They were expensive, but I think like this.... Where can you spend such a little investment that gives back beauty and joy for so long??😊

You have the heart of a poet!

😁. Thanks again for the help!

I use a shovel full of my homemade compost and Rose Tone.
http://hummingbirdfarm.net/cle...

Thanks!!

Ok I'm just saying - I don't live in the Antarctica! As much as Wisconsin and Minnesota may seem like that to a zone 9a-er. But I do have to also say, I'M JEALOUS!

thanks again!