A fertilizer solution of 1/8 strength is pretty much considered a maintenance solution & can be applied each time you water as long as you are watering correctly and the soil allows. IOW - you need to water so the soil is being flushed each time you water - or maybe every second/third time at a minimum. It's difficult to give a definitive answer to your question w/o knowing how much fertilizer from the CRF is going into the soil nutrient solution along w/the 1/8 strength. You have to guard against both over-fertilization (CRF = 1/8 could be too strong a solution) and the build-up of salts/fertilizer that can quickly happen when you're fertilizing at high rates and watering incorrectly. A CRF is really not needed, btw, if you're confident that you'll be diligent of following a regular supplementation program. Even though I include CRFs in the recipes I offer, I rarely use them because I fertilize regularly and like the full control over nutrition that the (immediately) soluble fertilizers offer.

Al

Hi, I haven't put any CRF in the mix. I just wanted to make sure I didn't need to use it along with watering/fertilizer. If I water every other day with 1/8 strength of 24-8-16 MG and flush it-will that be enough nutrients? Thanks for the help! Isamae

You should be pleased with the results if you water every time or every other time you water with a solution that is 1/8 full suggested strength, but I would be sure I'm watering on an 'as needed' basis rather than on a schedule, and that you do water generously so you're flushing accumulating salts from the soil.

Al

Thanks. I'll give it a try and see how it works for me. Looking forward to your book/books in the future :) Isamae

Lolol - don't assume anything too quickly. ;o)

Al

Due to my busy schedule away from gardening, and laziness, my poor plants only get occasional nutrients with their waterings. Therefore, I rely on the CRF's a great deal. I am now using a CRF that includes the minors (also has sulfur), and dolomitic lime in the mix. Seems to be working so far.

I suspect from my experiences (Al, correct me if I'm wrong) that salt build-up is less of a problem with the CRF's, and certainly nutrient run-off as an environmental concern is diminished. As a tradeoff, however, nutrient release/availability is probably inconsistent and intermittent.