Here is a quick and dirty guide to fertilizing your plantlife.  Enjoy!
 
  
Choosing the Right Fertilizer
 
 
1.   Decide first whether you want to use organic or synthetic (chemical) fertilizers. Organic

fertilizers are earth-friendly and pose little danger of burning a plant's roots; they also tend to

improve the soil's texture. Synthetic fertilizers are usually less expensive than organic fertilizers,

but they also are easier to misuse and do nothing to improve soil texture. 
 
2.   Check out the nutrient content of the fertilizer, listed on the package. Many synthetic

fertilizers have various balances of nutrients for a specific purpose, such as feeding roses or for

root development. Organic fertilizers also have varying ratios of nutrients. When in doubt, use an

all-purpose or general fertilizer. 
 
 
 Compost is the king of all organic fertilizers, truly earning its nickname "black gold." Other

organic fertilizers include manure, alfalfa meal, bloodmeal, bonemeal, fish emulsion, fish meal,

granite dust and greensand. 
 
 
How To Apply Fertilizer 

1.   Apply a liquid fertilizer to most annual flowers every two to four weeks and to most perennials

or small shrubs - including roses - every four weeks. Follow package directions exactly. 
 
2.   Apply organic fertilizers according to package directions. 
 
3.   Apply a slow-release granular fertilizer as an alternative. Apply once or twice a growing season,

following package directions exactly. 
 
4.   Fertilize with compost two different ways: One way is to spread 1 to 2 inches thick on the top of

the soil so that nutrients trickle down to the roots. The other way is to put it at the bottom of

large planting holes or to work it into a planting area when adding new plants to your garden. 
 
 

 Many gardeners use a combination of compost and other fertilizers. 
 
 Fertilizing is more art than science. Even highly experienced gardeners change their fertilizing

strategies from year to year, constantly experimenting to see which gives them the best results or

responds to their garden's ever-changing needs.