Not sure how to keep your garden thriving through the heat of summer and into the fall? Starting in July, plants are either in full production mode or beginning to fade. This is the time when thoughtful fertilizing can make or break your harvests, blooms, and root strength for next season. Here’s a practical, gardener-friendly month-by-month fertilizer guide from midsummer to winter prep—with checkboxes to track your progress and tips for roses, veggies, hydrangeas, and more.

July – Peak Feeding

By now, everything is in full swing: tomatoes are setting fruit, cucumbers are climbing, and flower beds are bursting with color. But all that growth takes energy. This is the time to feed consistently and carefully.

🌱 Special Note: Roses benefit from a second fertilizer application after their first flush of blooms. Hanging baskets, potted herbs, and container flowers need the most frequent feeding.

☐ Fertilize fruiting crops like squash, cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes biweekly
☐ Feed roses with a slow-release organic rose fertilizer
☐ Use diluted liquid fertilizer on hanging baskets, pots, and window boxes
☐ Apply compost tea or seaweed extract during heat waves for gentle nourishment
☐ Monitor for yellowing leaves or poor fruit set—signs of nutrient imbalance

August – Light Touch

Hot weather often slows plant growth, and heavy fertilizing now can do more harm than good. Ease off and focus on gentle, natural inputs. Your goal is to maintain momentum without pushing stressed plants too hard.

🌱 Special Note: Start thinking about fall plantings (broccoli, kale, carrots), and go easy on nitrogen to avoid leggy or weak starts.

☐ Apply diluted compost tea or fish emulsion to stressed plants
☐ Feed any fall veggie seedlings (if planted) with low-dose liquid fertilizer
☐ Avoid fertilizing lawns, tomatoes, or annuals aggressively—heat stress reduces uptake
☐ Water deeply after feeding to prevent root burn
☐ Top-dress veggie beds with worm castings or finished compost

September – Prepare for Dormancy

As days shorten and temperatures begin to drop (especially in cooler zones), plant growth slows. This is your time to shift toward root health and reserve-building before dormancy.

🌱 Special Note: For hydrangeas and perennials, stop nitrogen feeding now and use a low-nitrogen blend to encourage wood hardening and winter prep.

☐ Feed fall veggies (like cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and kale) with balanced organic fertilizer
☐ Apply 0-10-10 fertilizer to perennials, shrubs, and roses
☐ Fertilize fruit trees post-harvest if they weren’t fed earlier
☐ Begin tapering off container feeding
☐ Add bone meal or kelp meal around bulbs for strong root development

October – Last Call

This is your final opportunity to fertilize outdoor beds before winter dormancy sets in. Avoid high-nitrogen products and focus on compost and long-lasting organic matter.

🌱 Special Note: Top-dressing your soil now pays dividends in spring. Skip synthetic fertilizers—they push tender growth that’s vulnerable to frost.

☐ Apply aged compost or worm castings around flower beds and shrubs
☐ Mulch over root zones after feeding to lock in warmth and nutrients
☐ Feed overwintering crops like garlic and onions lightly
☐ Avoid feeding warm-season veggies or flowers—they’re wrapping up
☐ Clean and store your fertilizer tools

November – Compost Blanket

The garden is winding down, but this is a powerful month to feed the soil. Everything you do now sets the stage for early spring success.

🌱 Special Note: Fall is the perfect time to rebuild soil organic matter. Compost now breaks down slowly through winter and enriches your beds naturally.

☐ Spread finished compost across all garden beds and borders
☐ Add mulch layers (leaves, straw, pine needles) to insulate soil
☐ Mix in rock phosphate or greensand if your soil test recommends it
☐ Feed overwintered garlic with kelp meal or compost tea
☐ Do not fertilize indoor citrus or potted plants unless under grow lights

December – Reflect & Rest

No feeding this month—but that doesn’t mean you’re off duty. Take stock of what worked, what didn’t, and what you’ll do differently in the next growing season.

🌱 Special Note: Gather materials like coffee grounds, eggshells, and shredded cardboard to kickstart spring composting.

☐ Review fertilizer notes in your garden journal or app
☐ Clean and store all fertilizer tools and containers
☐ Make a fertilizer shopping list for spring
☐ Start planning your crop rotations and new plantings
☐ Enjoy a well-earned break—you’ve fed your garden well this year

Closing Thoughts

From July’s feeding frenzy to December’s pause and reflection, a thoughtful fertilizer routine can transform your garden’s performance and resilience. By aligning your feeding habits with the natural rhythms of your plants—and adjusting for seasonal stress like heat or dormancy—you’ll encourage stronger roots, more abundant blooms, and healthier soil. Stick with this monthly guide, and you’ll build a garden that not only thrives in the moment but gets better with every passing year. You can dowload a PDF copy here: Printable Fertilizer Schedule