Lizzie, the soil is so poor here that a liquid fertilizer disperse far too quickly. We have about what passes for "top soil" about three inches thick then sand suitable for use in mixing concrete after that down to at least ten feet. Drainage is great but getting nutrients to stay where they're needed is kind of tough. Yes, everything greens up for a little while but then it goes back to normal in less than a few weeks. I've tried it a few times and I'd be out there watering with it every two weeks or so, and I'm working on the lawn not a relatively small area that can be drip irrigated. I'm going to use Sta Green "starter" fertilizer. It's supposed to last for two months, slow release, and is a 18-24-6 mix. The nitrogen is a little low compared to most lawn fertilizers, but the P and K are high enough and I am really hoping the slow release helps things out.
I've taken a cue from what is already growing in my yard not and in the forest. We have black eyed Susans and daisies, so I'm planting a bunch more. In the fall, I have asters, so I'm attempting to grow some domesticated ones alongside them. Most of what I'm planting are wildflowers which will take advantage of my ultra-rich soil. I'm taking a chance on the peas, nasturtiums, zinnias and hollyhocks, but if they don't grow, it's a small loss of my time and energy. Basically, my goal is to take Indiana prairie and woodland and simply enhance it. I'm not even taking out the old growth with a few exceptions. The thistles are not especially welcome. 
