Do plants thrive better on the way they've been fed?

What plants are you referring to?

Besides vegetables and some flowers to increase yield, plants that thrive best are planted in ideal placement where they get all their natural nutrients from the existing soil. Additives always add risk.

Being the penny pincher that I am and all the bad choices I have made, here are a few suggestions for you to consider. First, do you homework. Find out what plants/flowers/shrubbery is good for your area. Research online or talk to a "local" nursery. Second issue to consider is your yard sunny or shady or both. Third is color. For example: do not plant white flowers against a white house as they blend in and you will not really see them. The fourth item is do you want annuals, (you have to replant new each year) or perennials which comes back each year. You may already know some of this information but I went on the assumption that you have not done any planting at all.

Last, choose your plants/flowers/shrubbery carefully. Whatever you purchase, make a card file (or make a file in you computer) for each plant and that includes trees (very important) and keep it simple. Example: Likes sun or shade or both. When to feed. Ground cover such as pine needles, mulch, pebbles, etc. When to trim and how much to cut off and how far apart do you plant them and, how much or little to water them. Oh, I forgot one important thingy. Consider how much time and effort do you have for maintenance. Whatever you choose, I hope your plants thrive beautifully so that you can enjoy them for many years to come.

a few more things to consider- know where the power lines are buried, the water and sewer pipes are and the cable tv lines. if you are out a ways and have a septic tank know where it is and how deep it is. occasionally the city limits creep to the old farmsteads- you might have one unused and buried and not know it.

check with your county extension office for what is considered an invasive/ problem plant in your area, and don't plant it. plant your gardens as if every plant you are putting in is fully grown esp. shrubs, trees, other non annuls. that small twig of a tree might be 12 inches tall right now and 120 feet when grown. a general rule of thumb is what ever the canopy of the trees/ shrub- the roots are 3 times that big. make allowances for growth.

if a neighbor or friend gives you plants, make sure you know what they are and optimal growing conditions. remember- right plant for the right place.

most of all- have some fun and enjoy what you are doing!

as far as feeding plants....it's better if they are planted in optimal soil conditions for that plant. some plants do best in a rich soil, others not. read up about the plants you are considering. amend the soil first, if planting in containers- you will need to fertilize occasionally.