For years, I've been a huge proponent of using an array of slow-release blooming-plant foods. The reason there's so many these days is probably because "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

But the man who originally developed slow-release granular blooming-plant food took it a bit more personally and decided to develop a companion product that would help any blooming plant exceed all expectations. And he would make it 100 percent organic to ensure there would be no more imitations.

This is the story of MicroLife Maximum Blooms 3-8-3 and the often-imitated Nature Blooms, both from Houston-based San Jacinto Environmental Supplies. That's the home of MicroLife products.

Mike Serant (a.k.a. Mr. MicroLife) developed the granular Nature Blooms controlled-release blooming-plant food years ago. It's an 85 percent organic 14-14-14 fertilizer that gets great results. Soon, though, other manufacturers started blending their own controlled-release granular products based on the successful Nature Blooms formula. Although a bit perturbed by the competition, Mike went to work developing Maximum Blooms 3-8-3, a one-of-a-kind liquid organic blooming-plant food that could work in conjunction with any granular plant food.

The secret this time, was a careful blending of fish hydrolsate (the purest form of fish amino acids, which also smells less), kelp, humic acid, molasses, and selected plant hormones and extracts. Mike believes this combination provides unparalleled plant nutrition and performance. With normal foliar feeding, Maximum Blooms will cause plants to set more and bigger blooms. Research has also shown that the blooms' overall color is deeper and more radiant. And since it's a 100 percent organic product, its continued use also benefits plants by improving soil structure and reducing insect and disease problems.

Don't assume, though, that this is just an organic version of a 1-2-1 fertilizer like Miracle Gro ... this product needs to be used only every 30-60 days, rather than every two weeks as suggested for synthetic blooming-plant foods.

While Nature Blooms is still available and should be used in conjunction with the Maximum Blooms, you can use any granular organic fertilizer as your starting point and then use Maximum Blooms as a foliar spray.

Now here's the really cool part: we are giving away a bunch of Maximum Blooms this Saturday during my appearance at Enchanted Gardens, FM 539 at FM 723, Richmond. We'll be doing drawings for it and several other MicroLife products every 15 minutes. We'll also be drawing for a baker's dozen of the now-famous Concrete Donuts sprinkler head protectors.

Now that it's time to start thinking about winterizing your lawn and getting started on fall color, you couldn't pick a better time to visit Enchanted Gardens. If you can't wait until Saturday to pick up some Maximum Blooms, or if you can't make it out to the appearance, check the MicroLife website for a list of other retailers.