QuestionI(attempt to) raise typical garden stuff (corn. peas, tomatoes) and, in a separate area, blueberries. For the standard fare I use "regular" Miracle Grow fertilizer; the blueberries get the more acidic blend.
In the best anal-retentive manner I put the one-per-55-gallons-of-water plastic sacks in airtight plastic jars; cut the label from the cardboard box the sacks came in; and glued them, to the respective jars. There! Everything neat and orderly!
The problem is that in the heat of the garden shed the label-glue deteriorated; the labels fell off and were swept away with the other detritus on the floor; and now I've got a dozen sacks of fertilizer of unknown type. Is there a quick and easy test that will indicate whether the sack contents are highly acidic (such as "drop a copper penny in a small saucer of the dissolved saucer; if the solution is highly acidic the penny will bubble and turn black")?
Thanks for your time; if you ever have a question for a "deck" expert, I'd be pleased to reciprocate.
Mac
AnswerHi Mac, Sorry, there is no easy way to tell. However, don't be too concerned about that as long as you are sure none of them are 'weed & feed' type products that might have a herbicide in them.
Alternate between the products. Acidic fertilizer may drop your pH a tad, but check it every 30 days or so and add a little lime if you need to. An occasional application of azalea food to the vegetables isn't going to harm them (just don't let them see the label). Water soluble fertilizers usually contain quick release nitrogen. You see rapid results, but it doesn't last very long so you have to apply often. If your veggies seem to be growing too much, back down on the amount per plant. Lightly mist them instead of soaking them. In fact, I'd probably just mix them all together and just spray everything. I suspect you'll get fine results as long as they are not over fed. Jim