side-dress

American  

[sahyd-dres] / ˈsaɪdˌdrɛs /

verb (used with object)

side-dressed, side-dressing

1. to fertilize (growing plants) by mixing fertilizer into the soil along each row.

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side-dress British  

verb

1. (tr) to place fertilizers on or in the soil near the roots of (growing plants)

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Etymology

Origin of side-dress

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

side-dress side-dressed side-dressing

If production lags in fall, winter, or spring, side-dress the sorrel patch with a little compost or organic fertilizer.

From Gardening Without Irrigation: or without much, anyway by Solomon, Steve

Reno said they apply about 60 percent of the nitrogen they use at or before planting, and then apply the remaining 40 percent as two side-dressed applications injected between the rows.

From Washington Times ● Aug. 16, 2015

The plants grow slowly through summer, but in autumn growth will accelerate, especially if they are side-dressed at this time.

From Gardening Without Irrigation: or without much, anyway by Solomon, Steve

The buzzed up leaves can then be placed around the base of plants as a side-dressing.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 4, 2023

In our climate, merely giving them a little more elbow room than usually offered, thorough weeding, and side-dressing the herb garden with a little compost in fall is enough coddling.

From Gardening Without Irrigation: or without much, anyway by Solomon, Steve

Take a chance: a heavy side-dressing of strong compost or complete organic fertilizer when the rains return may trigger a massive spurt of new, larger heads from buds located below the soil's surface.

From Gardening Without Irrigation: or without much, anyway by Solomon, Steve

A light side-dressing of complete organic fertilizer or compost in late September will grow the hugest plants imaginable.

From Gardening Without Irrigation: or without much, anyway by Solomon, Steve

However, side-dressing the transplants will result in much larger bulbs or scallions.

From Gardening Without Irrigation: or without much, anyway by Solomon, Steve