Hi pd,

When I ordered before from Brecks, the tubers came with the 5-10-10 pellets. I believe the fertilizer alone can be ordered at Brecks too. They are to be mixed in the soil during planting and did not burn the plants. I don't know about other plants but my dahlias appreciated the 5-10-10 during planting.

Hi pdshop

Here's a link
It's not a granular but it might do.

http://www.amazon.com/ANDERSONS-THE-5M-5-10-10-
Fertilizer/dp/B000BZ6M88

Also, if you're interested, someone recommended a tomato fertilizer spike with a low nitrogen #. You can't beat the convenience

MIRACLE-GRO" PLANT FOOD SPIKE
1.1 oz. spikes
Lasts up to 60 days
6-12-6 plus micronutrients
Carded

http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(k41vui55do0oga55e4p1pn55)/ProductDetails.aspx?SKU=7006638

Jobes 18 pk.
Waterproof & resealable pouch
8-24-8

http://www.acehardware.com/sm-jobes-tomato-fertilizer-spikes-jobes-tomato-fertilizer-spikes-price-2--pi-1335046.html

Dale

thanks for the info. I will keep looking. I gues I could ask one of the big growers what they use.

Swan Island carries Lily Miller 6-30-30. You might even be able to find this popular brand locally.

Here is a link that might be useful: 6-30-30

Hi pdshop, again

I thought your idea of ferilizing the whole garden bed was a good one. I'm just curious. Would you mind telling me why the 5-10-10 didn't work for you?

Thanks so much!

Dale

I didn't say it didn't work did I? I am trying to keep the Nitrogen lower than the other two. You can find it out there. I just want to use one thing this year and not a qhole bundle.

We get 10-20-20 at our local feed store- do you have a feed store handy? If so, ask them- it's what all the farmers use on their crops & WAY less expensive than ordering from Brecks or Swan Island or even getting from a big box store.
Ellie

Thanks, I did ask at Agway about their 5-10-10 and they said it would burn plants for some reason. I think that if the fertilizer is put into the ground early like we are supposed to, I would just use bone meal to put with your tuber? Of course the ground is frozen here so I can't get the 5-10-10 into the ground a month before I have to plant!

Agway is nuts! Just mix the fertilizer well in the bottom of the hole & throw about 1/2" of soil on top before you put the tuber in. If 10-20-20 doesn't burn the plants- & it doesn't- then 5-10-10 won't!
Don't put the fertilizer in the ground early- the Nitrogen will be all gone before you plant. Just throw it all in the hole, mix really well, add a little soil then plant the tuber. The feeder roots will hit the fertilizer about a month later & give the plant the boost it needs.
Ellie

After asking the right people, I think I can actually locate a feed store 30 min. away from me where I may be able to find some 5-10-10 or 10-20-20. My question is, how do you put into the soil at time of planting? Is 1 cup of 5-10-10 or 1/2 cup of 10-20-20 the right amount per plant?

Oh My God, this is getting complicated. I am going back and get the 5-10-10 at the feed store and than later when things bud I will switch to the 6-30-30 that Poochella suggested. It only comes in a little tub though. I checked at Swan.

The only fertilizer I used last year was a small handful of bone meal in the bottom of each tuber hole. Worked great!

I should add that my sprinkler system gets its water from the lake, so there were likely additional nutrients being delivered via the water. My bay is very calm, shallow, and has 2' of mud on the bottom so its nutrient rich, I believe.

Cheers,
Russ