I don't understand why you don't have the directions because they should be on the package.

Or is that a friend shared some with you but oopsed on the amount to use?

Beyond that, here's a page with instructions of the amount to use for whatever.
http://drearth.net/index1.php?page=fert

Here is a link that might be useful: Dr. Earth instructions

Thank you. I did not find this link myself and this is not what the box said. I just researched how to "side dress" and I think I know what I'm doing now. Thank you jean001.

"HERBS & VEGETABLES Suggest Organic 5 Tomato, Vegetable & Herb Fertilizer
Recommended amounts: Side dress ¾ to 1-½ cups for every 10 sq. ft. of growing area
When to apply: Every 2 months throughout the growing season"

-sarah

Dr. Earth is an exceptional organic fertilizer. Obviously, if you are gardening in containers the amount you will use will be reduced proportionally. I generally mix it into my potting soil for containers BEFORE planting and use a liquid form after planting. As it is by nature slow release, you do not need to use frequently but because container plantings need such frequent watering, nutrients tend to leach out rapidly and need to be replenished. I find it is easiest to do so with a liquid formulation.

I wouldn't worry about the moldy appearance - it is not harmful and is just the natural ingredients going through normal decomposition.

You aren't going to get the best results if you follow instructions for fertilizing in ground plants when container growing. Fertilizing veggies in a container once every 2 months is fine for crops that don't require much fertility, but more frequent applications are better for most.

When growing in soil there is usually a good deal of fertility already present especially if the soil has good organic content or is a clayish soil. This is not the case in containers. Potting mixes also don't hold nutrients very well which is why they (nutrients) need to be replaced frequently.

An organic fertilizer left on the surface of the soil will likely mold. The mold is fine, just unsightly. For containers a granular fert is good for slow release, but I suggest using a liquid fert with your waterings in a low amount as well to provide a consistent level of nutrients for the plants.

The directions on the web page state this:

CONTAINER PLANTS
Suggest Dr. Earth Organic 7 All Purpose Fertilizer
Recommended amount: 2 tbsp. for every 6" of pot diameter
When to apply: Every 2 months year-round

Here is a link that might be useful: Dr. Earth instructions

Jean,

I would probably follow those instructions for houseplant fertilizing, but no way, no how, would I do so for container grown veggies or any outdoor pot for any plant requiring anything above 'poor soil' type fertility.

Any instructions that simply refer to 'containers' without any consideration of what is being grown in those containers, whether the container is inside or outside etc. is going to be wrong most of the time ;-)

For most veggies in a container I would suggest using it every 2 weeks as a starting point.

While I respect that this is the organic gardening forum, I also wouldn't hesitate to use a synthetic fert on container grown veggies for a quick boost at critical stages such as if vegetative growth was slow or when fruit was developing.

The trouble with organic ferts in containers is that the ferts usually require soil organisms to convert the nutrients in the organic matter into plant useable forms. This takes place slowly in ground soil and really slowly in containers so the synthetics which usually do not require bacterial action to be plant useable can be of benefit in some cases.

In ground soil the nutrients are held onto by both clay particles as well as organic matter and as a result all of the minor nutrients as well as potassium and phosphorus are usally present in sufficient amounts. Containers don't have much to retain any nutrient and as a result slow release ferts often do not cut it for veggies in containers during those times when the need for a particular nutrient spikes.

In any event, using the fert once every 2 months is going to result in very poor yields.

Well, I've contacted Dr. Earth himself. He answered my questions as follows:

1. When asked about how to apply his fertilizer to container plants, he said just to put it on top and mix it in a little. The waterings should do the rest of the work.

2. When asked about how often, he said every two months.

I was surprised at this since it's such a good argument that fertilizer in containers would drain out. I'll have to play it by ear I guess. This is my first time doing this. We'll see what happens.

Thank you everyone for your help,
srosa02

Hmmm. That's what the web page said. :>)

Then, you commented "I was surprised at this since it's such a good argument that fertilizer in containers would drain out."

Dr. Earth is a "slow-release" sort of fertilizer. It takes time to break down.

And yes, you should always play it by ear. Adjust as needed for your situation.

Enjoy your time gardening.

Jean,

Thank you. You were right. I feel more confident in what I'm doing now also.

-sarah

I wish people would come back and share results instead of leaving the reader hangin...lol

I'm no master gardener or gardening expert. As, I have been gardening for several years though, I would consider myself an experienced amateur gardener. I have done a lot of reading and research into organic gardening. I have used Dr. Earth products (fertilizers, soils, compost, and sprays) during that entire time, with GREAT results. The only thing I don't like - not enough information on whether to and how much to cut back the nutrients for herbs (rich, fertile soil can produce herbs with little taste and smell). One thing I will disagree with in this forum is what username 5 has said. Yes, you do need microorganisms in the soil to breakdown the organic ingredients, but Dr. Earth brand soils, compost and fertilizers provide mycorrhizae bacteria which does this rapidly. These products basically create a micro-environment in your soil. An environment with beneficial organisms that help ward off other organisms that could harm your plants. So, when you use synthetic fertilizers, which are loaded with chemicals that have salts and ammonias in them, like username 5 suggested, you kill these beneficial organisms. So, even as a supplement, I would say NEVER use synthetic fertilizers. If you must supplement, use an organic liquid fertilizer like Dr. Earth Liquid Solution or Neptune Harvest products.

Organic N sources are turned into "salts" (nitrate) and ammonium (also a "salt") naturally, fwiw. They're the waste of the microbes (and animals)...and part of the "food" of the microbes, too.

Excessive application of chemical or organically-sourced N can kill microbes through oxidation (nitrate and ammonium react readily with free soil oxygen and/or H2O) as well as dehydration of the organic matter which gasses off.

Organic applications in this process tends to go slower...with less immediate disruption to the soil biology...it's buffered in a sense and harder to over-do. Chemical fertilizers cut out the "middle man" and get straight to the end-product. It's a lot easier to "burn up" your soil with chemical fertilizers, but anyone who's applied too much organic urea or manure to their soils have seen similar "burn" happen.

You have to be a lot more careful about how/when you apply chemical fertilizers when it comes to harming soil microbial action vs organic fertilizers, though both can equally screw up microbial action in excess...it's just a lot easier to hit that excess with chemical fertilizers.

I am also an amateur gardener and I did a lot of research on Dr. Earth's products but still have one question. Please give me some of your valuable opinion!

All my tomatoes and cucumbers are towards ripening now. Should I use the Dr. Earth's liquid fertilizer, Home Grown Tomato, Vegetable, & Herb Fertilizer or should I use the dry fertilizer with the mycorrhizae in it?

Thanks!

-miva

At this point, I would recommend the liquid fertilizer, particularly if your tomatoes are in containers. The dry fertilizer needs a month to break down - which is fine if you are on the regular recommended feeding schedule because the nutrients from two months ago are now being used by the plant. However if you haven't been on a schedule and are just now getting around to feeding the plants, then the liquid will go to work much faster. Also, if you are going to use the liquid, then stay with that for the rest of the season. Don't mix the two or you will over fertilize.

One other point that bears mentioning - it is best to cut back on fertilizer during hot spells to avoid stressing the plants. Plants need access to moisture to regulate their own heat (just like our bodies sweat in the heat to cool us down) and a sudden uptake of nutrients and the salt byproducts of converting those nutrients can get in the way that transpiration process. So, unless your plants clearly show a nutrient deficiency, I would hold back or greatly dilute the fertilizer.

This is my first time to grow vegetables. I used rapid rooter to start my seedlings. Most of my seeds germinated. They are all under grow lights inside. After two weeks I started transplanting the newer ones into 4 inch pots. I'm using dr earth pot of gold potting soil. I placed them into the pots, rapid rooter and all. Then I watered them. The soil seems so heavy. No water comes out the bottom. I don't know how much water to give them. The soil stay wet for a long time. Should I water them til the water drains out the bottom? I haven't transplanted the others yet. The other soil I am going to use ultimately when I put them out side is the dr earth vegetable planting mix. Should I use that for the 4 inch pots instead? I'm going to add vermiculite to it. Then. When do I fertilize these babies. And with what? I made some tea with the dr earth fertilizer but have only given it to them once after they were two weeks old. I don't know what to do. Obviously. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I have similar issue, got DR Earth fertilizer for

exotic plants for my plumerias. I also put it on the top of the pot and started getting mold. I am worried not to get any root rotting. on

the package it’s said the amount you should use, I wish there would be more direction how to avoid mold. I am relieved that i am not the only one that experienced this problem. If someone has similar experience, please share :)

The dry material is suppose to be worked into the soil. IF you're using a liquid then, maybe, you're not watering it in well enough before the next application.

There are a couple of points to be made that seem to have been overlooked. Dry organic fertilizers used with container plantings are going to be pretty ineffectual. Commercial bagged container or potting soils tend not have the necessary populations of soil organisms required to break them down into a plant usable form. OK for any inground planting but not for containers, despite what the label might indicate. While some nutes might get assimilated and absorbed or taken up by the plants, most of it will be wasted. If you want to stick to organics - ideally not really advised for any containers - then stick with fully liquid ones.

That the dry stuff has developed a 'mold' is not unreasonable. Fungal organisms live off the organic matter these products contain and the 'mold' is just the visible sign of these natural decomposers. They will also appear in regular old and unfertilized potting soil as well, as a good percentage of that is also organic matter. In and of themselves they are harmless and won't adversely affect the plants - they feed off of or decompose dead OM, not live plant tissue. But they are often an indication that the potting soil is being kept overly moist and that CAN harm the plants!

People saying "mold". How do you know it's mold exactly and not mycelium or beneficial fungus or something similar?

Because that's what the general public calls any white or pale colored fluffy stuff that may appear on potting soil. It most probably IS mycelium.

KILLS PLANTS!!! I used this product according to the directions and it killed all my plants. DO NOT USE!!!

Hmmm........I've been using Dr. Earth products for years without any deleterious side effects. And quite honestly, unless you were applying them by the truckload, it is virtually impossible for an organically derived fertilizer to kill any plant!! It is just not in their make up to do so.

I'd suspect the death of your plants is due to some other, yet to be established cause. It's even difficult to kill plants using any popular synthetic fertilizer unless grossly over applied!

I have had the same issue with a mesh like growth that covers the top of the soil . it is tough, and water absorbs slowly through it. If that is expected, there should be a heads up.