Fertilizer – Using Old Wet Stuff

Q: I found a plastic bucket in which some 10-10-10 fertilizer had spent the winter on my patio. When I opened it, I found that the granules were wet and partially dissolved, with a good bit of liquid in the bucket. Can I use this liquid like a compost tea?

A: Fertilizer does not go bad but don’t use it like compost tea. The dissolved 10-10-10 is too concentrated and will burn your plants. Instead, fill the container with cat litter to absorb the liquid. Put on rubber gloves and mix the cat litter with the granular fertilizer. Toss the sticky stuff lightly under shrubs and trees that need a bit of food for spring.