Should You Fertilize In Summer?

 

 

Summer heat changes the rules of gardening. Chemical fertilizers can be risky in high temperatures and here’s why to avoid them in summer heat.
 

• Salt Buildup & Root Burn: Many chemical fertilizers contain salts. In hot, dry conditions, these salts can accumulate near plant roots, drawing moisture away and causing “fertilizer burn”—wilting, browning, or even plant death.

• Water Stress Amplification: Plants already struggle to absorb water in extreme heat. Fertilizers can worsen this by increasing osmotic pressure in the soil.

• Reduced Nutrient Uptake: High temps slow plant metabolism, so they absorb fewer nutrients. That means your fertilizer might go to waste—or worse, harm the plant.

• Soil Microbe Disruption: Heat can reduce beneficial microbial activity, which is essential for breaking down nutrients in fertilizer into forms plants can use.
 

Organic fertilizer can be used in the heat with care. Espoma® organic fertilizer, fish emulsion, or composted manure release nutrients slowly, making them gentler on plants.
 

 

Espoma® organic fertilizers break down gradually, reducing the risk of burning your plants – even in hot, dry conditions. Their Bio-tone® microbes and mycorrhizae help plants absorb nutrients more efficiently and become resilient to heat stress. Unlike chemical fertilizers, Espoma®’s organic blends contain no harsh salts that can dehydrate roots in high temperatures.
 

Tips on Application in Summer:

• Apply early morning or late evening to avoid stressing plants.

• Water well afterward to help nutrients soak in and prevent surface burn.

• Avoid applying to drought-stressed plants—even organic nutrients can overwhelm them if roots are dry.
 

Spreading Compost is the best and safest method to feed your plants in summer.

• Improves soil structure and water retention—critical in hot weather.

• Feeds soil microbes, which in turn feed your plants.

• Acts as a mulch, helping regulate soil temperature and reduce evaporation.

• Won’t burn plants, even in high heat—making it one of the safest soil amendments year-round.