APPLICATION RATES Wholesale Distribution 877-363-1916     Deep Root Applications Soil Applications Foliar Applications Transplants Garden Application Rates Small Fruits Fruit Trees Houseplants       DEEP ROOT APPLICATIONS   For trees and shrubs, a surface application of fertilizer may be used up by the lawn before it can penetrate down into the root zone of these woody perennials. Deep root feeding below the root zone of the grass effectively provides nutrients to trees and shrubs. The ideal fertilizer for deep root feeding is a liquid, low salt product containing chelated macro and micronutrients that releases slowly into the root zone.   Several application methods are used for deep root feeding. All of these methods involve penetrating the root zone around the drip line of the tree or shrub (the feeder roots form a circle 2-4 ft. wide around the drip line). One method is to pierce, dig, or drill a number of holes in the ground 6' to 12' deep and pour the fertilizer into them. A second method is to rototill around the drip line just deep enough (2-3") to break up the sod but not disturb many of the roots of the tree or shrub (on shallow-rooted trees such as maples this method may not be possible). Then use a soaker hose or a hose-end sprayer to apply the fertilizer. A third method is to apply the fertilizer without any previous tillage. A longer time must be allowed to effectively penetrate the root zone. The fourth method uses a hollow tree spike which is pushed down into the root zone. The fertilizer is injected through the spike. It may be impractical to use this method on highly compacted soils; in this situation it is better to bore a hole or use tillage.   Tree and shrub fertilizers are applied in the early spring or in the fall. When performing deep root feeding by injection or through bored holes on trees and shrubs, use a grid pattern with points every 2 or 3 feet starting at least a foot away from the base of the tree or shrubs and extending one or two feet outside the drip line (start fertilizer from the trunk on larger trees). AGGRAND Natural Fertilizer should be applied at 4-32 ounces per tree. The ratio of water to fertilizer is 4 oz. of fertilizer to one gallon of water for hand watering down to one half ounce per gallon for injection and soaker hoses. When pouring the AGGRAND 4-3-3 solution into holes, put 1 qt. of solution into each hole. Younger trees and shrubs and those in sandy soils need half the above rate applied both spring and fall.           SOIL APPLICATIONS   Gardens can be tilled in the spring and fall. Fall tillage combined with a fertilizer application aids in the breakdown of crop residue and provides readily available nutrients from the fertilizer and decomposed organic matter by the next year. A spring fertilizer application provides some readily available nutrients, but more of the nitrogen is locked up through the decomposition of plant residue. Either way, fertilizer should be applied at planting time for optimum results. AGGRAND 4-3-3 Natural Fertilizer can be applied either time. A soil test of your garden area is beneficial in determining the most useful fertilizer rates and combinations to use. For most gardens one quart AGGRAND 4-3-3 tilled into 1,000 to 2,000 square feet of garden is sufficient for the production of most crops.   Using AGGRAND products in spring soil preparation and fall tillage is straightforward. The applications are made by spray broadcasting AGGRAND before the final trip over the garden with the rototiller. The soil is allowed to dry before tilling in the fertilizer. In the fall the soil should not be tilled as finely or as deep, but the fertilizer application is still made before the final pass with the tiller.   Another way AGGRAND products are used for garden crops is banding the fertilizer into a trench near the seed. The best way to band fertilizer is to dig a trench slightly to one side and beneath where the seed will be placed (2-4" below and i-2' to the side of the seeds). The fertilizer is mixed with water, then dribbled into the trench. Another furrow is formed just to one side of this trench and then the seed is planted in the furrow.   Finally, fertilizer is applied to some crops by spray broadcasting AGGRAND with a hose-end sprayer or other equipment after the seed is planted.               FOLIAR APPLICATIONS   While plants do take up nutrients through their roots, they can't always meet all of their nutrient demands that way. For example, if soil pH is higher (more alkaline) or lower (more acidic) than the optimum range needed for plant growth, then essential nutrients become unavailable.   Foliar feeding is a very efficient way of providing nutrients during periods of peak nutrient demands, in situations where the soil pH level is creating a nutrient deficiency, and in periods of environmental stress. A foliar supplement is the quickest way to correct nutrient deficiencies without sacrificing performance. Applying two or three foliar supplements reduces the fertilizer rate needed for preplant, plant, and transplant applications, thereby 'minimizing the potential of nutrient leaching. With foliar applications growers adopt one of two application methods: a calendar based approach where feeding begins on a certain date and continues at set intervals throughout the growing season, or an approach based on the plant's developmental stages in which reaching a critical stage (i.e. bud formation, first bloom, fruit set, etc.) is the cue for application. When feeding foliarly, apply enough fertilizer solution to wet the foliage.   Effectiveness of foliar applications is increased by raising the fertilizer pH to around 6.0. After mixing the fertilizer with water, test the pH with litmus paper. If the pH is below 5.5 then add baking soda one-half tsp. at a time mix until a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is reached per 1 gal. of fertilizer mix. If the pH is above 6.5 then add 1 tsp. of apple cider vinegar at a time until a solution pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is reached per/gal, of fertilizer solution. The addition of a surfactant (spreader-sticker) to the spray mix also increases the effectiveness of foliar applications. Use a biodegradable vegetable oil based surfactant. Add 1 tablespoon to each gallon of spray mix and keep well-agitated.               TRANSPLANTS   Transplanting is a stressful period for young bedding plants. Minimizing transplant shock keeps plants growing vigorously, avoiding unnecessary setbacks which can delay flowering and reduce yields.   AGGRAND 4-3-3 Natural Fertilizer is a must for watering-in small transplants. Use a mixture of 3 oz. of AGGRAND 4-3-3/gal. of water for watering-in transplants. The addition of 1 to 2 ounces of AGGRAND Liquid Bonemeal (NBM) to the solution to increase phosphorus and calcium availability when watering-in the transplants will aid the fertilizer in promoting long term root development. Shrubs and trees should be soaked overnight in a bucket of 4-3-3 before transplanting. Use a mixture of 1 oz. of AGGRAND 4-3-3/gal. of water for bare root soaking. Avoid transplanting during the heat of the day to avoid root desiccation (drying out). Cloudy weather is the best time to transplant. Keep soil moist until plant root systems become well-established. Use a mixture of 1 oz. of AGGRAND 4-3-3 with 1 gal. of water for bare root soaking.             GARDEN APPLICATION RATES    Root Crops (i.e. carrots, beets, turnips) 1st application:  Broadcast 3 oz. 4-3-3 and 2 oz. 0-12-0 in one gallon of water on 100 sq. ft. after planting.  2nd application: Foliar feed at 4-6 weeks with 2 oz. 4-3-3 per gallon of water.  3rd application: Repeat foliar application 3-4 weeks later.  Tubers and Tuberous Root Crops (i.e. potato sweet potato, yam) 1st application:  Band 3-oz. 4-3-3 and 2 oz. 0-12-0 per gallon of water on 20-30 ft. of row during planting.  2nd application: Foliar feed at 6-8 weeks with 2 oz. 4-3-3 in one gallon of water.  3rd application: Repeat foliar feed every 3-4 weeks until harvest.   Leaf Crops (i.e. lettuce, celery, spinach) 1st application:  Band 3-4 oz. (use more on soils with low fertility levels) 4-3-3 in one gallon of water.  2nd application: Foliar feed at 4-6 weeks with 2 oz. 4-3-3 per gallon of water.  3rd application: Repeat foliar feed every 3-4 weeks until harvest.   Cole Crops (i.e. cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) 1st application:  Broadcast 4 oz. 4-3-3 in one gallon of water on 100 sq. ft. before final seedbed application..  2nd application: Foliar feed 2-3 weeks after transplanting with 2 oz. 4-3-3 in one gallon of water.  3rd application: Repeat foliar feed when plants begin to head.   Solanaceous Crops (i.e. tomato, pepper, eggplant) 1st application:  Band 3 oz. 4-3-3 and 2 oz. 0-12-0 in one gallon of water on 20-30 ft. row during transplanting.  2nd application: Foliar feed at first bloom with 2 oz. 4-3-3.  3rd application: Repeat foliar application at full bloom and during fruit set.   Legumes (i.e. beans, peas, lima beans) 1st application:  Band 2 oz. 4-3-3 in one gallon of water on 20-30 ft. of row planting.  2nd application: Foliar feed at first bloom with 2 oz. 4-3-3 in one gallon of Water.  3rd application: Repeat foliar feed before the second flush of blooms on beans.   Curcurbits (i.e. cucumber, squash, melon) 1st application:  Band 3-oz. 4-3-3 in one gallon of water on 100 sq. ft. or four hills during planting.  2nd application: Foliar feed when plants are 3-5" tall with 2 oz. 4-3-3 in one gallon of water.  3rd application: Repeat foliar feed when plants begin to run and at first bloom.       SMALL FRUITS   Strawberry New Planting: Broadcast 4 oz 0-12-0 and 3 oz. 4-3-3 per gallon of water on 100 SCI. fi. Before final seedbed preparation.  1st application: Foliar feed in spring after leaf formation with 2 oz. 4-3-3 in one gallon of water (only if leaves are light green to yellow).  2nd application: Foliar feed in late August with 2 oz. 4-3-3 and 2 oz. 0-12-0 in one gallon of water.   Blueberry New Planting: Band 4 oz. 0-12-0 and 3 oz. 4-3-3 in one gallon of water on 2 to 3 bushes during planting. Water in the bushes with the same fertilizer solution after planting.  1st application: Broadcast 2 oz. 4-3-3 in one gallon of water on 100 sq. ft. (on mulch around plants) in early spring.  2nd application: Repeat first application every 3 weeks until fruit set. 3rd application: Foliar feed in late summer after harvest with 2 oz. 4-3-3 in one gallon of water.    Rasberry  1st application: Apply 2 oz. of 4-3-3 in one gallon of water on 100 sq. ft. (on mulch around plants) in March.  2nd application: Repeat first application every 3 weeks until fruit set.   Grape New Planting: Band 4 oz. 0-12-0 and 3 oz. 4-3-3 in one gallon of water on 3 to 4 rootstocks during planting. Water-in the bushes with the same fertilizer solution after planting.  1st application: Broadcast 2 oz. 4-3-3 in one gallon of water on 100 sq. ft. in early spring when buds begin to swell (feeder roots start 6" sway from the plants and stretch as far as 6 ff. on well established vines).  2nd application: Repeat first application 3 weeks later.           FRUIT TREES   Apple  1st application: Broadcast 3-oz. 4-3-3 in one gallon of water on 100-sq. ff. after harvest or in early spring (around drip line).  2nd application: Foliar feed after leaves open with 2 oz. 4-3-3 in one gallon of water.   Pear  1st application: Broadcast 2 oz. 4-3-3 in one gallon of water on 100 sq. ft. (around drip line) after harvest Orin early spring.  2nd application: Foliar feed after leaves open (if leaves or tips of branches are yellow) with 2 oz. 4-3-3 in one gallon of water.   Peach  1st application: Broadcast 4 oz. 4-3-3 in one gallon of water on 100 sq. ft. (around drip line) in early spring if leaves on tips of branches are yellow.   Citrus 1st application: Broadcast 4 oz. 4-3-3 in one gallon of water on 100 sq. ft. (around drip line) before growing season.  2nd application: Foliar feed during early bloom with 4 oz. 4-3-3 in one gallon of water.  3rd application: Repeat foliar applications after petal fall and again during fruit formation. 4th application: Repeat foliar application 1-2 months before harvest.           HOUSEPLANTS   Citrus Summer: Saturate soil with 2 to 3 oz. of 4-3-3 in one gallon of water every 2 to 4 weeks. (Use lower dilution rate on soilless potting media but fertilize more often; fertilize less often on slow growing plants such as succulents and cacti). Fall: To stimulate root growth add 2 to 3 oz. 0-12-0 to the tea. Winter: Use same rates as summer rates but fertilize every 4 to 8 weeks. Flowering Plants: Add 2 to 3 oz. 0-12-0 to the fertilizer tea at first sign of bloom or at beginning of bloom season if known.