The good news is that you might correct most nutrient deficiencies byadding fertilizerto your soil.
The best fertilizers for plants depend on whether they are growing in your garden or in containers.
Even if youve got rich soil, your plants can use up all the available nutrients over time.
A granular fertilizer sprinkled near the base of a plant will slowly release nutrients to the roots below.Credit: schulzie/Getty Images
Start bytesting your soilso you know what youre working with and what you better add for healthier plants.
Organic matter needs to break down before nutrients can become available for plants.
you’re able to supplement these slowly released nutrients with more immediately available ones that fertilizers provide.
A fertilizer tab in a container will provide a steady supply of essential plant nutrients.Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Once those nutrients are gone, your plants roots cant stretch out to find more.
Once that gets used up, adding more or repotting the plant using a fresh mix is important.
Adding too much fertilizer can make it harder for the plants roots to soak up water.
Exactly how often you fertilize your plants depends on the types you are growing and the time of year.
These plants appreciate being fed about once a month during their growing season with a general-purpose liquid fertilizer.
You may want to feed them once in the spring as they start ramping up their growth.
You don’t have to fertilize older, established trees every year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plant food is an informal term used for fertilizer.
Both refer to a product that provides nutrients to plants to help them grow.
you’re free to buy fertilizer at a home and garden store or plant nursery.
If you should probably purchase it in bulk, it can be ordered online and delivered.
Most fertilizers have a long shelf life if stored in a cool, dry location.
you’re free to use an all-purpose fertilizer throughout the year.
Organic fertilizerssuch as compost, manure, or ground limestonecome from plant, animal, or mineral sources.
Synthetic fertilizers, including ammonium phosphate, are manufactured.
A Historical Overview of Fertilizer Use.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
“Quick Guide to Fertilizing Plants.”
University of Minnesota Extension.
Time to Feed the Plants!
University of Connecticut College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, Extension & Plant Science and Landscape Architecture.
The Morton Arboretum
“Heres the scoop on chemical and organic fertilizers.
Oregon State University Extension Service.
Synthetic vs. Natural Fertilizer.
