Fertilizers are a tool to boost plant growth, increase crop yields, and enjoy more flowers, but using fertilizers wisely is a skill of its own. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a plant scientist to benefit from these products. Here’s a guide on what they are, what they do, and how best to use them in the garden!
Fertilizers are products that boost a plant’s growth by adding nutrients to the soil. The most basic kinds of fertilizers contain three chemicals essential to plant growth: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). The three numbers on a fertilizer package tell you the ratio of N-P-K. Different ratios have different effects on plants.
Generally, nitrogen promotes shoot and leaf growth; phosphorus encourages root, fruit, and flower growth; and potassium is responsible for disease resistance, hardiness, and other functions. Some fertilizers also contain chemicals like calcium and magnesium that benefit specific plants or soil deficiencies.
Synthetic Fertilizers: contain the three chemicals mentioned above. They’re chemically manufactured and come in many different forms, from liquid to granular, slow-release, and fast-acting. One downside of using them is that they can run off of farms and suburban yards into waterways, such as the Chesapeake Bay, where they create dead zones and harmful algae blooms.
Organic Fertilizers: are made from animal or plant products. They slowly release nutrients into the soil as microorganisms break them down. As a result, they last longer in the garden and don’t leach into waterways. Examples of organic fertilizers include compost, aged manure, worm casting, fish meal, and bone meal.
When shopping for fertilizer, you’ll find specific ones intended for specific plants, such as flowers, vegetables, tomatoes, or roses. The instructions on the package tell you how and when to use them for the best results. Here are examples of a few plants that have unique fertilizing needs:
Fertilizing should not be thought of as a way to build soil, as these are two different processes.
The more we understand how soil and fertilizers work, the better equipped we are to choose what kind of practices and products to use in the garden.
For more information on growing the healthiest and most beautiful plants possible, feel free to visit our garden centers in Lothian and Alexandria!
At Greenstreet Gardens, we take pride in the fact that our number one goal is to make our customers successful.
Equipped with a diverse wealth of information and a knowledgeable staff, we are confident that we are able to provide all of the right tools and plant material necessary to help make your gardening ideas become reality.
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