How to Fertilize Daylilies

Fertilizing daylilies can be challenging. The correct method to feed and maintain your plants is a matter of opinion–many gardeners believe that their method is the best for their type of garden. Daylilies do not need much fertilizer to flourish, and it is a matter of personal preference to choose chemical or organic fertilizer. You may wish to get your soil tested and analyzed to see what type of fertilizer would help your daylilies grow better.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Understand your daylilies. All plants are different, so the fertilizer needs differ from one plant to the next. Daylilies do not require as much food as other types of foliage, but they do need some nutrients to thrive in your garden. Getting your soil analyzed is a good way to find out what would be the best choice for your garden.
2. Purchase a fertilizer. You can find many fertilizers at garden department stores or nurseries in your area. A good fertilizer such as Vigoro Ultra All-Purpose Plant Food will feed your daylilies quickly and keeps them in supply of the nutrients that they need for about 3 months. You can use chemical fertilizers as well as organic to feed your daylilies.
3. Spread the fertilizer evenly around your daylilies. You can use a fertilizer spreader or manually spread the plant food. If you do not own a spreader, you can gently shake the bag over your daylilies and use a spade to move the fertilizer evenly.
4. Water your daylilies. You will need to water your garden shortly after you have applied the fertilizer. It is recommended that you water right after fertilizing, or within 2 or 3 hours, but you can wait up to 24 hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Fertilizer is not harmful to pets or children unless they eat it. Do not let them play around the garden until you have watered the fertilizer into the soil. Also, keep unused portions sealed and out of reach of children or pets.

• Do not water your garden when the sun is directly on your plants. Wait until the evening or they are protected by shade. Watering in high heat can damage your dayliles or other