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Nutrient+ Fertilizer for Transplants and Stressed Plants

Why I use Nutrient+

Gardening in Arizona asks a lot from plants. Long, hot summers, drying winds, alkaline water, plus reflected heat from walls and rock all add up. Even with good soil, careful watering, and shade, plants can still struggle. Nutrient+ from Arizona Worm Farm is one of the tools that helps my garden handle those stresses. It is a liquid fertilizer and biostimulant made from black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) that provides NPK, trace nutrients, and natural compounds that support roots and soil life.

I use Nutrient+ to help plants prepare and recover from summer, when I am planting transplants, and when I want to encourage new growth and blooms. In this post, I will share what Nutrient+ is, when I use it, and how to add it to your routine so plants can handle the challenges of gardening in Arizona.

A little backstory

I still remember talking with Zach at Arizona Worm Farm when he first began developing Nutrient+. He was excited about the early results he was seeing and thrilled to be making something that worked so well from BSFL grown right there at the farm.

I have loved using it in my own garden and have been surprised more than once at how well plants recover after I use it, especially after our long, hot summers. Good job, Zach. I am grateful to have another solid product from Arizona Worm Farm to use in my garden, right alongside the Raised Bed and Container Mix I use in my garden beds and their other excellent soil-building products.

You can purchase Nutrient+ online here, or pick it up in person at Arizona Worm Farm or at SummerWinds Nursery locations.

When I use Nutrient+

Nutrient+ offers many benefits to plants. Here’s what I use it for:

• Fruit trees that need regular feeding
• Vegetable beds at planting time or when plants are struggling
• Stressed trees, roses, or plants that are recovering from heat, frost, or damage
• Promote fruiting and flowering.

Nutrient+ for fruit trees

For fruit trees, it’s simple:

• Apply three times a year: around Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day
• Use in combination with mulch, compost, and worm castings.

Application rate:

• Add 1 cup of undiluted Nutrient+ for every 3 feet of tree height
• Apply around the drip line
• Water deeply so the product reaches the root zone

For an overview of feeding fruit trees, including compost, mulch, and amendments, see the organic fruit tree fertilizing guide.

Nutrient+ for vegetable gardens

For vegetables, I use Nutrient+ at planting time and again if plants are struggling.

Basic dilution:

• Mix 4 parts water to 1 part Nutrient+

Application:

• Apply about 1 gallon of this diluted mixture per 50 square feet of garden
• Pour it around the base of plants and water in if needed

If you want more information about planting, my how to plant transplants tutorial walks through each step so your plants have the best possible start.

• You can learn exactly how I make compost in my garden in my how to compost in 10 simple steps post.
• If you would like a steady, low-maintenance source of castings right in your beds, my vermicomposting made easy guide shows how I use in-bed worm composting in my garden.

Nutrient+ for stressed trees and plants

Nutrient+ can be helpful when plants are recovering from:

• Sunburn or heat stress
• Light frost damage
• Broken branches or pruning stress

How to feed stressed plants:

1. Wait until it’s ok to encourage new growth (don’t apply if it is still very hot or cold).
2. Water deeply before application.
3. Apply Nutrient+

For trees:

• Use 1 cup of undiluted Nutrient+ for every 3 feet of tree height and water deeply after application.

For garden beds:

• Use the 4 to 1 water to Nutrient+ dilution and apply around the root zone.

For stressed plants and roses, I may apply Nutrient+ once a week until they show steady new growth.

• For another way to support plants and soil life, you can also use worm castings tea; I share how and why I make it in this post.
• If you are not sure what is causing the problem, this garden troubleshooting guide can help you identify what is going on.

How Nutrient+ fits into a garden routine

Here is how Nutrient+ fits with everything else:

• Compost and worm castings build long-term soil health.
• Use Nutrient+ at transplant time, when plants or stressed, or to promote fruiting and flowering.

Used this way, Nutrient+ is a simple tool that helps plants settle in or recover while you continue to focus on building healthy soil. For more information about fertilizing, see the best organic garden fertilizer guide.

You may also like:

• Fertilizing Citrus: What, When, And How To Feed Citrus Trees
• Beginner’s Guide: How to Start Seeds Indoors
• Arizona Garden in May
• Why Add Worms to Your Garden: Benefits of Worm Castings
• Amending Soil: Preparing Your Garden Before Planting