Jennifer, on your boxes of "bulb booster".....see if it says what is in the box....i.e. what the ingredients are. I think you will find a mention of phosphate...in many ways the element is contrived. Phosphurus aids in development of roots and encourages bloom. So any boosting of the bulb at planting time, would suggest it is helping the bulb put down its roots. Superphosphate does that....it is high in phosphurus.0/20/0......and in other boxes you might read the label to say "triple superphosphate"...0/46/0. Meaning it has no other use other than giving to the plant increased amounts of phosphurus.....no nitrogen, no potassium. (potash) Before using any so-called enhancements, do read the label and follow the directions. I invite you too, to put into your browser window... "SUPERPHOSPHATE".......and read about this particular amendment and how it can be used for many plants to push bloom. Especially read about how this product can often bring a plant to bloom when it has in the past, refused to do so. Its a kick-in-the-pants kind of product.

I got the most noticeable results one time mixing some organic fertilizer into the existing soil at planting time, and nothing else. That's assuming the strong growth had anything to do with the fertilizer. Since all the plants were given the same treatment, there was no basis for comparison. Same as when it is thought that amending of planting hole backfill produces a benefit - the plants grew so it must have helped. Actually, it doesn't. And the effect it has on how water moves into and out of the amended small planting hole can actually be detrimental. But unless the hole collects water like a sump or loses it to the surrounding soil to such an extent that the new plant is dry all the time - two outcomes that are not unknown, by any means - the plant survives to root into the unamended soil around the liberally amended planting hole at which point growth improves markedly. The plant grew great (after it got out of the amended zone) so the amendments must have been beneficial. Amending or replacing an entire bed, to out beyond the rooting area of the roses avoids the problem of water behavior within small holes, surrounded by different textured unamended soil. But there is still the problem (with amending) of the amendments decomposing and returning the soil to its original condition as the years go by. Not a problem with frequently replaced vegetables and flowering annuals, which are likely to have their bed areas re-worked frequently anyway. But who's going to lift and replant their roses every few years or so?

I would be grateful to know the spacing in inches, that you consider "much too close" for your shallots, and what you tried in 2011, and your results. I'm about ready to put some in my EBs. Thanks! >Posted by dancinglemons 7B (My Page) on >Wed, Oct 12, 11 at 3:39 "Just thought I'd give an update. I planted the shallots last fall (2010) in my EarthBoxes. They overwintered great and gave me some nice shallots in early June 2011. I planted them much too close so the shallots were not good size but in a few days I will plant for 2011 and they will be a better spacing. "

Carol, Just the answer I was hoping for. The Osmocote should give the perennials a good start, and my Spring bulbs will appreciate the boost after they've finished blooming. Later in the season I intend to use composted leaves as a mulch, but will mix in some well-composted manure as well. Thanks for that tip as well. Leslie