There is really no benefit to using a "starter fertilizer" and most horticulturists caution about buying into the myth that these are somehow necessary or even the slightest bit effective in guarding against transplant shock. Most nursery shrubs and trees in containers have already been adequately fertilized by the grower and there is a standing recommendation that newly planted material should receive NO fertilizer until after its first full season in the ground.

Transplant stress is generally best addressed by careful siting/placement and
timing and the providing of sufficient water to offset any negatives. It is not offset by fertilization and unnecessary fertilization can actually exacerbate the problem.

Whether you ever need to fertilize landscape plantings is a topic of ongoing discussion. Theoretically, a good fertile soil should supply all that is needed, augmented some by an organic mulch that will continue to breakdown over time. Or if the homeowner suspects some sort of nutrient deficiency, a soil test should be conducted to determine specifically what sort of deficiency and how best to address it. Otherwise, you are just tossing out ferts unnecessarily and with no idea if they are useful or potentially harmful.

Hmmm. good to know. It could be one of those things were its just what people do since the garden centers tell you to do that. I don't suspect they are intentionally pointing you towards something you don't need since these people are just like you and me, it's just what is done. The real test is planting some with and some without and seeing the results. Same test done with seasonal fertilizing. Has anyone done that???

" I don't suspect they are intentionally pointing you towards something you don't need"

Of course they are!! It's called 'add on sales' and they will try to sell you all sorts of unnecessary products simply to increase the bottom line. Remember that most nursery personnel are retail sales people first; plant people second :-)

Do some research both on the advisability of starter fertilizers and the equally bizarre and unnecessary concept of "seasonal fertilizing". The bottom line is never fertilize unless you determine that there is a specific need for it. And that is usually only determined by a professional soil test!!

I'm a good judge of character and people's intentions. The people I have dealt with are NOT trying to up sell me. Maybe your experience's are different!

Perhaps they just don't know . . .

IME (I started gardening in CLE) Cleveland soil has plenty of nutrients since it has quite a bit of clay. Even now on fine sandy loam, I don't fertilize unless the plant or a soil test tells me I should. I do top dress with compost and/or mulch which will improve the soil texture and will slowly release nutrients when it starts breaking down.

sampson, I've been involved in the nursery industry in various capacities for more than 25 years, as well as other retail sales positions. Believe me when I say they ARE trying to up-sell - it is a basic fact of retail life.......ANY retail life!! It is common enough that it is a topic for discussion in most nursery management texts.

And Babs is correct as well. Nurseries are not hotbeds of current advised or recommended horticultural practices. One receives all manner of outdated planting or gardening info from them. In fact, finding nursery personnel with considerable or even up-to-date horticultural backgrounds tends to be the exception rather than the rule. It is not that they are trying to deceive you........only that they don't really know any better.

Most nursery positions are sales positions and an in-depth knowledge of what you are selling is seldom a requirement. A good sales person can sell anything......and usually sell you more than what you were looking for!!

There is really no benefit to using a "starter fertilizer"

==>>> sure there is.. the enrichment of the snake oil salesman and the guy who makes it for him ...

at planting.. your plants are STRESSED ... they are not hungry ... and unless a soil test indicates something is lacking in the soil.. your plants need nothing ...

and not being children.. they will not need any significant food in the future.. nor diapers... nor bathing.. nor college.. nor live in your basement until they are 25 years old... lol ...

save your money for MORE PLANTS ... trust us ...

ken

Fertilizing plants (of almost any kind) after planting can cause significant root damage. Most shrubs do not need fertilizer, out of all the shrubs that I have planted only one has been fertilized (after three years of estabishment). Save your money as ken suggested.

Thank you-ladies and gentlemen-for making it unnecessary for me to respond to this thread. Woops!

Another downside to fertilizing is that the plant grows unnaturally fast giving the bugs a real tender meal resulting in disfigured branches and, or some kind of chemical insect control. I also had snow load problems with maples I gave fertilizer to. That was years ago. Never again!

Over the years people have given me fertilizer because they know I'm into plants. The only use I have for it is in pots and on the compost pile. A little bit of fert on a compost pile really speeds the breakdown.

Mike