Q. I attended a garden class and the speaker said that in the winter you should use nitrate forms of fertilizers. What does that mean? Also, is fish emulsion considered an organic fertilizer and is it good to use on roses?
Nitrate forms of fertilizers are simply high nitrogen types. Nitrogen is what "greens up" plant leaves and grasses. Most fertilizers you see have an "NPK" rating, for example 5-10-10. This simply means the ratio of nitrogen (N) to phosphorus (P) and to potassium (K - the chemical symbol for elemental potassium). Again, that first number represents nitrogen. Sulphate of ammonia at 22-0-0 is a great nitrate fertilizer because it's so high in nitrogen and can be purchased for less than $5 for a 20-pound bag. However, because it is so high in nitrogen, you have to be very careful how you use it, especially in hot weather. That's why the speaker recommended nitrate fertilizers for winter time use.
As for your question on fish emulsion, fish emulsion certainly is an organic fertilizer, and has a ratio of 5-1-1. It is a great all-purpose fertilizer, so it can certainly be beneficial on roses. The drawback with fish emulsion is that because it is organic, it smells something terrible. I would not apply fish emulsion on especially hot days or you're your neighbors may be closing all their windows to keep the smell out.
Q. I was wondering if there is a good way to save and plant my sweet pea seeds. They re-seeded themselves from last year's planting, but I have been deadheading them and really want them to come back again next year.
As you discovered this past season, sweet pea plants will often self sow in the general area they are growing, and small seedlings can be transplanted in spring. However, you can also harvest the seeds yourself when the pods are dry and popping open on their own. Store seeds in a cool dry place until ready to plant (inside a closed jar in the refrigerator works well). Soak the seeds overnight in water to soften the shell, and plant in early spring or fall.
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