Fertilizer is the Red Bull power boost for your plants. Ever been confused about the overwhelming varieties of fertilizer offered at your local garden store? Choosing the right one can make a huge difference in the success or failure of your garden. Here are a few tips to follow:
On the bags of fertilizer, you will notice a series of 3 numbers, known as NPK. What the heck is that? NPK sands for macronutrients that plants need to grow. In order, these are Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium. Nitrogen promotes leafy growth and keeps your plants nice and green. Phosphorus encourages strong, deep root growth and promotes fruiting and flowering. Finally, Potassium is important for general plant health. The general rule of thumb for a balanced blend of NPK, would be the numbers on the bag reading “5-5-5” or “2-3-2”. General rule of caution is: Just because the numbers for the DPK may be higher, it does NOT mean better.
In addition to the Big 3, your plants will need micronutrients like Calcium, Magnesium, Sulphur, Iron and others. A good soil mix should provide these in the small ratios needed to stimulate good plant growth. Should your plants seem to be in distress, it could mean a deficiency in micronutrients. Try taking a leaf or two to your local garden center, for remedial suggestions. At your center, you will also find fertilizers designed for specific plants and trees, such as tomatoes, azaleas and citrus. They also have organic, plant-based fertilizers for your edible plants.
Additionally, there are two forms of fertilizer – – granular and liquid. Liquid works much faster but granular lasts longer and releases over time. Follow the directions on the package and don’t over fertilize and always add to damp soil. Then don’t water for a couple of days. When using granular fertilizer, sprinkle evenly and sparingly, preferably over the top of your mulch. Granular is designed to promote growth when starting seedlings and young plants. When planting a new garden, I always use granular starter, not lawn starter. Never water right after fertilizing (wait a couple days) and never let the fertilizer come in contact with the leaves of the plant. After the first month, fertilize evenly again with a “2-3-2” mixture or a “3-4-3”. Then throughout your growing season, feed your plants monthly with a liquid fertilizer.
I hope these tips have taken the confusion out of fertilizing. Next week’s blog is Seeds vs. Transplants.
Happy Gardening,
Doak