I have been looking for a good fertilizer to use here in the Denver metro area; my soil is that lovely alkaline clay that many of us have around our homes here. (I realize that I really should have a proper soil test done to find out what the actual PH is and what nutrients are needed, etc., and I may actually finally do that this year, but for now I am doing that bad thing and "assuming" that my soil is typical in PH, nutrients and texture to what the majority of folks have here.)

From what I have read, most Colorado soils do not need the addition of potash, nor do they normally need a lot of phosphorous, unless you are preparing a new bed or have a bed without a lot of organic matter added in. It would seem that adding dairy cow manure or good compost would supply most of the needed phosphorous. The "ideal" N-P-K ratio seems to be in the range of 2-1-0 (8-4-0; 10-5-0; 20-10-0- you see where this is going) with 8-4-2 being an acceptable substitute if you can't find the ideal ratio..... I have been unable to find any commonly available fertilizer that has such an N-P-K ratio,

I have been gardening at this house for over 20 years now, and I must admit that I have very seldom fertilized any of my perennials; I have even neglected my roses and clematis - without any discernible negative effects (yet) for a few years. Perhaps nothing essential is lacking in the soil, but I thought it might be time to give everything a boost this year. I am considering trying out the Miracle Grow Organic Choice fertilizers - the dry fertilizer had a 7-1-2 ratio and the liquid form has an 8-0-0 ratio - but would like your recommendations. Also want something for vegetables, though they are not quite as dependent upon the native soils....

Holly