TIPS TO MANAGE LEFT OVER FERTILIZER AT THE END OF A SEASON
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Did you ever wonder &#;Does fertilizer go bad?&#;. The general answer is no, fertilizer does not go bad if it is properly stored. Fertilizer is made up of a variety of natural minerals and elements that do not break down over time allowing you to store your unused fertilizer from year to year.
NOTE: Generally, fertilizers with AI&#;s (active ingredients) found in weed and pest control products have a shelf life of only 1-4 years because a majority of pesticides and herbicides lose their potency over time.Check the product label for details.
Depending on the type of fertilizer (Granular or Liquid) you purchased will determine the life of your product. Granular fertilizer has an extensive life if stored properly. Liquid fertilizers can have a shelf life between 8-10 years if stored properly (refer to expiration date on product label or contact the manufacturer for more details since all products vary).
STORAGE TIPS
Proper storage is key in order to keep fertilizer effective from season to season. Here are a few tips for proper storage:
Store in dry, cool, 100% shaded places
Keep fertilizer in its original bag or liquid container so there is no confusion regarding product type, cautionary concerns or product use.
Close bag securely, wrap in plastic or store in its tightly sealed plastic container to keep moisture out.
Keep off the ground and store in a protected area away from food (i.e. shed, garage)
** When in doubt, refer to product label for proper storage instructions. *
TROUBLESHOOTING
Granular Clumping -
You may discover that your lawn fertilizer has formed clumps after storage. Don&#;t be alarmed, this is natural tendency and it does not mean your fertilizer has lost its effectiveness. In humid conditions, fertilizer will absorb moisture from the air causing its particles to bond together, i.e. clumps. If you do find that your fertilizer has clumped, just break up the clumps before using it again.
TIP: If you know you live in an area of high humidity, store fertilizer by closing the bag and putting it in a sealed plastic container.
Sediments in Liquid -
Because of the way liquid fertilizer is created, the solids may settle to the bottom over time so be sure to shake/agitate the bottle prior to use for the new season.
Does fertilizer go bad? That's a question every gardener may have wondered when dealing with half full liquid plant food containers and open bags of lawn fertilizer at the end of the growing season. But there&#;s no reason to toss these products in the trash or into your compost heap. Both organic and synthetic fertilizers have longer shelf lives than you might expect, but they do need to be stored properly to maintain their potency.
This guide will give you answers to all of your fertilizer storage questions, along with essential tips on how to maintain the quality of leftover fertilizer. After all, if you use up the fertilizers you already have, you can save a lot on your gardening budget and slash garden waste too.
Most fertilizers don&#;t go bad when they&#;re stored properly and they can be used for many years. Granular fertilizers, for instance, typically don&#;t have a set expiration date, while liquid fertilizers generally stay fresh for about 8 to 10 years.
An exception to this rule are lawn fertilizers that contain weed killers. While the fertilizers in lawn care products may still be effective after several years, herbicides typically have a shorter shelf life, so manufacturers generally recommend that lawn fertilizers be disposed of after 1 to 2 years.
If you&#;re in doubt about the shelf life of your fertilizers, read through the storage instructions on the package label. If those instructions don&#;t list an expiration date, you can use your old fertilizers in next year&#;s garden.
While fertilizers usually stay fresh for years, fertilizers can go bad if they&#;re not stored in the right way. Improper fertilizer storage can sometimes attract pests, and granular fertilizers can become lumpy and difficult to apply if they get wet. Worse yet, fertilizers may leach away some of their nutrient content in moist environments and certain fertilizers can even become fire hazards if they&#;re stored near flammable chemicals. But although these problems are certainly troublesome, they can be avoided by following the simple fertilizer storage tips below.
1. Store fertilizers indoors.
Both granular and liquid fertilizers can degrade when they&#;re exposed to the elements. So the single best thing you can do to keep your fertilizers fresh is to store them in a protected spot, such as in a dry potting shed, garage, or basement.
2. Separate products.
Certain fertilizers sometimes react with other products and these reactions can potentially cause fires. To avoid this, be sure to keep fertilizers away from other household chemicals, herbicides, and cleaning products, and clean up any spills as soon as you can.
3. Keep fertilizers in their original containers.
Whenever possible, it&#;s always wise to keep fertilizers in their original packaging. This will help you keep track of what fertilizers you have and you&#;ll be able to easily reference any application and storage instructions listed on the container.
4. Seal fertilizer containers.
Keeping fertilizer packages sealed when they&#;re not in use will limit spills and contamination. It will also help to prevent pest and humidity issues. If your fertilizer packages don&#;t seal tightly on their own, tape them shut or place them inside airtight containers or plastic bags when they&#;re not in use.
5. Monitor humidity levels.
High humidity can cause granular fertilizers to clump, which makes them difficult to use. Sealing fertilizers in airtight packaging is one way to lock out humidity, but if humidity is still a problem in your storage area, you may want to use a de-humidifier or move your fertilizers to a drier location.
6. Limit UV light exposure.
UV light from the sun or other source degrades the nutrients in certain fertilizers and reduces their effectiveness, while the heat from direct sunlight can make some fertilizers more flammable. To avoid this, always store fertilizers in a cool, dark place that&#;s out of direct sunlight.
7. Avoid temperature extremes.
While extreme heat can degrade fertilizers, freezing temperatures can also cause separation in liquid fertilizers and decrease their usefulness. However, if you store fertilizers in a protected spot, they won&#;t be as vulnerable to freezing temperatures or high heat.
8. Use a shelving system.
Storing fertilizers on the floor increases the chances that fertilizers will become damp and develop mold. Keeping fertilizers on sturdy storage shelves helps to increase air flow around your containers, limit humidity issues, and keep fertilizers safe from pests too.
9. Consider pests.
Not all fertilizers attract pests, but strongly scented organic fertilizers like fish emulsion, blood meal, and bone meal can occasionally draw in rodents and other critters. If you know there are pests on the prowl, keep fertilizers in rodent-proof containers, like metal storage tubs.
10. Protect fertilizers from kids and pets.
Of course, if you&#;re storing fertilizers indoors, always be sure to locate them out of the reach of pets and small children. Even organic fertilizers can pose health problems if they&#;re used improperly.
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How do you get rid of fertilizer?
If you have old, organic fertilizers that you no longer need, you can simply add them to your compost pile. But synthetic fertilizers should be disposed of at your next hazardous waste collection day.
Can you break up fertilizer clumps and still use the product?
Granular fertilizers can develop clumps when they&#;re exposed to moisture. However, you can usually break fertilizer clumps apart with your hands and still use these products. Just be sure to wear a protective mask and gloves when you&#;re handling fertilizers.
What type of fertilizer lasts the longest?
Most granular fertilizers have an impressive shelf life and they tend to last longer than liquid fertilizers. Lawn fertilizers and fertilizers that contain microbial inoculants have the shortest shelf lives and they may need to be used up by the end of the growing season.
Before you become a gardener, you admire other yards' lush lawns, fragrant flowers, and colorful vegetables and herbs. But once you start to hone your green thumb, you quickly realize that maintaining your outdoor oasis is an investment&#;in time and money. When another growing season rolls around, you're excited to dig in, but you're also mindful of your budget (and want to minimize waste). That's why you're probably wondering if you can reuse last season's garden necessities, from potting soil and fertilizer to seeds. Do you really need to replace them each year? Good news: You don't&#;so long as you do what you can to extend their shelf lives and store them correctly.
How Long Potting Soil Lasts
Lasts for: up to two years
If you have a container garden, you know that nutrient-rich potting soil is the secret to success. The growing matters provides "structure for root growth and will stabilize plants, helping them to stand upright," says Markah Frost, MS, a senior gardens specialist at Miracle-Gro.
Generally speaking, potting soil can last for upwards of two years; however, these bags are typically targeted to specific uses, which dictates how successful they are over an extended period of time. "For example, potting soil used for indoor plants like pothos or spider plants are most successful when you use a fresh bag of potting mix each year," Frost says, noting that it's best to use a fresh bag when working with annuals, as well.
If you want your soil to last longer, keep it in a plastic container or a garbage can where it will stay dry; this will also prevent mold or mildew from developing. "A sparkling interior is key&#;you don't want to put sterilized soil in a potentially contaminated container," Frost says.
Amending Old Potting Soil
Let's say you're set on using last year's potting soil for a houseplant or annual: Can you amend it to bring it back up to full strength? "If you want to reuse potting soil that you used for last year's annual plants, add a granular fertilizer," Frost says. "Last year's plants likely used up the available nutrients."
Lasts for: up to a year; several years if unopened
You need food and water to live a healthy, active life&#;and so do your plants. They require nutrients to thrive, but most native soils lack the proper ratio of essential nutrients optimal for growth, says Sara Eff, MS, a garden scientist for Miracle-Go. "Plant food ensures the proper amount of nutrients are being supplied and can help the plants defend against environmental stresses," she says.
While fertilizer doesn't technically expire, granular fertilizer will remain at full strength for a year if stored in an airtight bag or in a container in your garage. If a bag isn't open, it will last several years&#;but check the label for specific product recommendations.
Buying new granular fertilizer, however, is ultimately best for you and your garden: "The longer the fertilizer sits unused, the more likely it is to become damp and clumpy, which could make it hard to spread,&#; Eff says.
Lasts for: three to four years (or longer)
Though granular fertilizer needs to be replaced every year, liquid fertilizer typically has a much longer shelf life. Excess liquid fertilizer can be stored in a cool, dry place over the winter and used the next growing season. When stored properly, liquid fertilizer has a minimum shelf life of three to four years&#;but will often last much longer, says Eff.
If you've had your liquid fertilizer for a few years, though, keep a close eye on your plants&#;if they aren't as happy as usual, it might be time for a replacement. "To monitor the effectiveness of your liquid fertilizer, you can observe your plants for signs of nutrient deficiencies or excesses," Corbet says.
Lasts for: one to two years
There are countless types of seeds&#;some produce flowers while others make vegetables, fruits, or herbs. Whether or not unused seeds make it through a calendar year depends on how you store them. Seeds typically have the best germination rates one to two years after purchase; keep them safe, however, and you'll be able to push that timeline a bit, Eff says.
"When storing seeds, ensure they are kept in a cool, dry place and not exposed to moisture, which can cause mold to grow and kill the seeds," Eff says. "However, the germination rate will decrease over time, so you may not get the same results you would if you were using fresh seed."
To set yourself up for success, make sure you're buying the best seeds. Follow these tips from Eff to do just that:
Research varieties to find the flavor, fit or color that is best for your garden.
Know your USDA hardiness zone and pick seeds that are suitable for your climate.
Align your seed to the season and make sure you're selecting seeds that will grow in the time of year you are planting them (so you don't store them for unnecessary periods of time).
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A fertilizer dealer should be knowledgeable about the chemical and physical characteristics of the fertilizers that he sells. This knowledge can be used not only to benefit your customers but also to help him do a good job of properly storing and handling your fertilizer stock.
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