Greetings, diligent gardener. We are the Black-eyed Susans, those cheerful, sun-seeking sentinels of the late summer garden. To help us reach our fullest, most vibrant potential, you must understand our dietary needs from our perspective. We are not heavy feeders, but a thoughtful fertilization strategy makes all the difference between merely surviving and truly thriving.
In our wild state, we are prairie natives, accustomed to thriving in lean, well-draining soils. Our roots are built to seek out nutrients efficiently. Therefore, we do not crave, and are in fact often harmed by, rich, heavy-handed fertilization. Too much nitrogen, in particular, will cause us to direct our energy into producing excessive, weak foliage at the expense of our beautiful flowers. We may also become leggy and flop over. The ideal soil for us is moderately fertile with excellent drainage.
Before you even plant us, the most important meal you can provide is worked into our future home. Instead of synthetic fertilizers, we greatly prefer a generous helping of well-rotted compost or aged manure. This organic matter slowly releases a gentle, balanced spectrum of nutrients, improves soil structure for our root systems, and enhances moisture retention without waterlogging us. A 2 to 4-inch layer incorporated into the top 6-8 inches of soil is a feast that will sustain us for much of our first growing season.
Once established, we are remarkably self-sufficient. However, a single, strategic annual feeding can boost our growth and flowering power. As we begin our vigorous growth in early spring, just as our new basal foliage emerges, is the perfect time. We desire a balanced, gentle fertilizer. A slow-release, granular fertilizer with an equal NPK ratio (such as 10-10-10 or 5-5-5) is ideal. Alternatively, a light side-dressing of our favorite compost or a watering with a diluted organic fish emulsion or compost tea will provide a welcome boost. This gives us the resources we need for strong stems and prolific buds.
Please, resist the urge to feed us again later in the season, especially after our flower buds have formed. A late application of fertilizer, particularly one high in nitrogen, will disrupt our natural cycle. We will foolishly put energy into new leafy growth instead of blooming, and the tender new growth will be highly susceptible to damage from early frosts. Furthermore, always ensure any fertilizer is watered in thoroughly to avoid burning our roots.
There is one more crucial element to our diet that is often overlooked: deadheading. While not a fertilizer, the act of removing our spent blooms prevents us from expending a tremendous amount of energy on seed production. This energy is then redirected back into our roots and into producing more waves of flowers for a longer, more spectacular display. For us, this energy conservation is as valuable as any nutrient you provide.
