As winter arrives, plants need to concentrate on root growth. They need fertilizers with higher concentrations of potassium and phosphorus. On bags of fertilizer look for NPK symbols:
N = nitrogen
P = phosphorus
K = potassium (usually listed as potash)
Besides these letters are numbers in various combinations such as 2-1-1 or 3-12-12. The numbers indicate the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the formula. Fall fertilizers list higher P K numbers. You don't want a fertilizer high in nitrogen now.

How to Apply:
Mix fertilizer into the soil when doing fall planting, use a trowel to loosen the soil then add the fertilizer or use it to top dress the soil around existing plants.

When to Apply:
Apply fall fertilizers while the weather is still warm during the day. Warm soil aids root growth. New plants need to get their root systems established before winter and mature plants need a healthy does of nutrients. After applying fertilizer, add a layer of mulch for winter protection.


These are some of my current favorite resources:
Books: "The Intuitive Gardener", Marilyn Raff
"A Garden Gallery", Little & Lewis
"Grasses", Nancy J. Ondra
Magazines: "Garden Design"
"Fine Gardening"
Nurseries: Van Windens, in Napa
Cottage Gardens, in Petaluma
Annie's Annuals, in Richmond
JunkYards: Urban Ore, in Berkeley
Omega Salvage, in Berkeley
Masselli's Hardware, in Petaluma (they have acres of neatly organized scrap metal, lighting fixtures, etc.)