I have had a number of inquiries as to how I fertilize my daylilies while maintaining an organic approach. While I have only recently converted from chemical to organic fertilizers (and consequently have limited organic experience), I thought I would create a page showing what I am currently using in my garden. This will probably change as I monitor and learn from the results.

Here's my current procedure and my reasons for it. I apply this in the early fall so that the daylilies will grow well during the fall and winter here. If I lived where I would actually experience winter, I would probably do this in the spring when plants start growing again. All items are applied the same day. While these are organic components, I am careful not to allow any of them to come in direct contact with the daylily plants:

• Blood Meal - sprinkled lightly on soil surface around plants. This provides nitrogen to the plant fairly quickly but does not last for an extended period of time.

• Cottonseed Meal - sprinkled lightly on soil surface around plants. This also provides nitrogen but it takes a while for it to become available to the plant and lasts longer than the blood meal.

• Alfalfa Pellets - sprinkled a handful (or two depending on the size of the clump) on soil surface around plants. This provides micro-nutrients as well as some amino acids which are reported to promote vigorous growth. I use this based on a number of good reports from others.

• Milorganite - sprinkled lightly on soil surface. This is an organic slow-release fertilizer with an average NPK of 6.75-2.65-0.46. It also contains many micro-nutrients.

• Agricultural Molasses - sprinkled lightly on soil surface. This is a bio-stimulator which stimulates the growth of micro-organisms in the soil. Micro-organisms are essential for good soil and plant health.

• Composted Horse Manure - covered all the above nutrients with a layer of this compost 3-4 inches deep. Not only is the manure compost great for plants, covering the other items will promote their decomposition and help make their nutrients available to the plants.

After applying the above, I water well to begin the process of decomposition (making the nutrients available to the plants).

In the spring about a week before the average last frost date, I mix up some organic fish emulsion fertilizer with water (following label directions). I add some Humate (humic acid) and a little Sequestrine of Iron and water the plants with it. I think of this like a wake-up call for the daylilies as the nitrogen in the fish emulsion gives them a growth boost. Warning: the fish emulsion I use isn't supposed to smell but it does!

I also spread Milorganite around each plant in the spring. This will feed the daylilies during the spring and early summer while they are blooming.

Important: Because I am adding so many different components, I am very careful to not get carried away applying any of them. I believe there can be too much of a good thing - even if it's organic.