How to Fertilize Petunias

Annual flowers bloom only for a single summer, but they still require optimum growing conditions to put on their best show. Petunias begin flowering in late spring and continue to blossom through fall. The long flowering period requires a lot of energy from the plants, supplied by sunlight, water and good soil nutrition. Regular fertilization replenishes the nutrients in the soil so the petunias receive a consistent supply of the necessary nutrients, resulting in plants that flower at their optimum.

Slow-release fertilizer
Tiller or spade
Soluble fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Spread 1 lb. of 10-10-10 fertilizer over every 100 square feet of the petunia bed before planting in spring. Use up to 2 lbs. of fertilizer in poor sandy soils, as these soils don't contain high levels of organic matter and natural nutrients.
- 2
  Cultivate the bed after fertilizing with a tiller or spade. Incorporate the fertilizer into the top 6 to 8 inches of the soil so the nutrients are in the root zone of the petunias and easily accessible for the plants.
- 3
  Begin a soluble fertilizer schedule in mid-July to replenish the nutrients in the petunia bed so the flowers can continue to bloom through the end of summer. Apply a balanced soluble fertilizer at the rate recommended on the package.
- 4
  Water the petunias with soluble solution very three weeks until the end of the growing season. Rinse the petunias briefly with a short spray of clear water after every soluble fertilizer application to wash any fertilizer from the foliage. Fertilizer burns petunias when left in direct contact with the leaves.

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