overfertilize

verb

over·​fer·​til·​ize ˌō-vər-ˈfər-tə-ˌlīz 

overfertilized; overfertilizing

transitive + intransitive

: to fertilize (something, such as a crop) more than is necessary or appropriate

… can grow in various habitats, including soil that has been overfertilized.

—Discover

Don't try to force it to grow where it's not suited, don't overwater, don't overfertilize and don't get so obsessed with having a weedless yard.

—Jim Auchmutey

Some manures … can be tilled directly into the soil without worry of overfertilizing.

—Brian Barth

overfertilization

ˌō-vər-ˌfər-tə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

plural overfertilizations

… overfertilization can cause the plant to be in an undesirable state at time of harvest.

—Hal Lemmon

Though peonies are hearty feeders, avoid overfertilization, especially with nitrogen.

—Bob Polomski

Examples of overfertilize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Do not overfertilize plants. —Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 May 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined above