Plants will tell us when they cannot locate the proper nutrients in the soil. They will turn a yellow green color, indicating a chlorotic condition. When this occurs we should consider adding a natural fertilizer or compost to our soil.

Since organic fertilizers have not been chemically processed, most of them have to be broken down by organisms in the soil to release their nutrients. This means that in addition to feeding the plants, they encourage biological activity in the soil. Another advantage is that there is less of a risk of leaching and burning of the plant roots.

It is best to use natural fertilizers when soil test results show mineral deficiency. Natural fertilizers can pep up plants that have suffered from considerable stress, disease, insect pests, drought, over-pruning, transplanting and those that have been grown in pots or containers.

For more information about ecological gardening log onto the Native Landscapes Garden Center website at www.NativeLandscaping.net.

And tune in to hear "The Living Landscape" with Pete Muroski throughout the day on LIME Radio, Sirius Satellite channel 114. Thanks for visiting "The Living Landscape".