Fertilizing Is Overrated — Here’s How to Grow a Low-Maintenance Garden

Are You Fertilizing Your School Garden During Summer? Here’s Why You Might Not Need To

Every summer, teachers and school garden volunteers brace themselves for the tedious chore of garden maintenance — and fertilizing often tops the list of to-dos. But what if I told you that with the right setup, you could eliminate fertilizing altogether?

Imagine coming back to your school garden in the fall to find it overflowing with healthy, vibrant plants — and you didn’t lift a finger to fertilize during summer. Yes, it’s possible. With the right setup, you can eliminate the need for summer fertilizing entirely.

The Misconception About Fertilizing

Too often, teachers come back to a garden in the fall that’s lackluster, only to hear, "You should’ve fertilized." This advice is well-meaning but unnecessary if you set up your garden right from the start.

The truth? Fertilizing is often a band-aid solution for deeper design issues. If your garden is demanding heavy inputs like fertilizers, it’s a sign that the soil is not being managed well or that the crops you’ve chosen are too nutrient-hungry.

A Better Approach: Work with Nature, Not Against It

Instead of relying on fertilizers, here’s what you can do:

1. Select Resilient, Low-Maintenance Crops: Skip heavy feeders like cauliflower and opt for hardy, less demanding varieties. Think root vegetables, leafy greens, and drought-tolerant herbs.

2. Build a Soil-First Garden: The secret to a thriving garden lies in the soil. Prioritize soil health by enriching it with compost, covering it with mulch, and avoiding erosion.

3. Implement Low-Maintenance Practices: Mulching, ground covers, and strategic plant placement can all reduce nutrient loss and prevent the need for summer fertilizing.

Real-Life Results

I’ve seen schools adopt these methods and grow 20+ varieties of food with almost no summer maintenance. And the best part? There’s no guilt or frustration over missed fertilizing schedules.

👉 Grab my free guide to reducing summer garden maintenance

Want to learn more about reducing summer maintenance and creating a self-sustaining school garden? I dive deeper into this topic in the latest episode of School Gardens with Ease. Listen here