My guess is that the mulch will deteriorate faster thanks to the fertilizer being spread on it. Adding fert to compost piles accelerates the process of decomposition so the same thing would probably happen to the mulch too.

Aside from this, I would say it would be fine for the plants around it but the mulch would age and breakdown faster.

Unless your mulching with concrete, rain and/or irrigation will slowly wash the fertilzer through the mulch and into the soil.

Thanks for the info. Should I use more than reccommened dose due to part of the N going to the mulch?

Id say you could ALWAYS add more as needed, but have you ever tried to remove too much fert?

Id go as recommended on label to start with.

I look at things like this..... even if I put a fraction of the fert out, its still 100% more than they would have gotten if I didnt fert at all.

I tend to go on the light side when ferting.

Use less than the label specifies; for shrubs wait a week to ten days, for palms and trees three to four weeks, then see what changes have occured.

Most gardeners over-fertilize because the instructions on the bag are set intentionally high for extreme results. Fertilizer puts the plant under stress, thus it grows faster than it should. Feed to amend what's missing in the soil and maintain an even balance for best results.

i was just reading about this yesterday... ECHO's research indicates that in the humid tropics/subtropics, where the soil is overly drained, you significantly improve the effectiveness of nutrients when you feed your plants through mulch.

i thought this article was really interesting...

Here is a link that might be useful: principles of agriculture for humid tropics

Agree with all those on minimum fert. Like cooking, you can always add salt & cayenne.

Concrete mulch. Hmmm, maybe a slurry poured thinly. Maybe a rake to poke some holes. Hmmm.

tony,

I try to go on the light side of ferting, too. Except when eating beans. Then you REALLY have too much fert.

Sorry, couldn't resist....

Go heavy on the BEAN-Ooooooo, right now!