Fertilizer

Fertilizer is food for plants. All fertilizers have three key nutrients Nitrogen (N) – Phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).  When you know which of these elements you need, you can find the fertilizer to match your needs.

Fertilizer can be natural or chemical. Natural fertilizers are made up of plants and animals. Chemical fertilizers are made up of chemicals. Fertilizers enhance the natural fertility of soil and replace elements taken from the soil by the plants.

Plants need 16 elements to live. The most important elements are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Carbon is taken from the atmosphere and hydrogen and oxygen are taken from the water. The other nutrients are taken up from the soil.

Organic Fertilizer

The use of manure and compost are the most common organic fertilizers and the oldest form of fertilizing. Farmers still rely on this method for sustainable farming. Manure is produced by livestock and has alot of value in maintaining and improving the soil.

Compost is more like a soil amendment rather than fertilizer as it does not contain a lot of nutrient for the plants. Compost is a mass of rotted organic matter. Its analysis is usually 0.5-1-2.

Chemical Fertilizer

Chemical fertilizer of synthetic fertilizer includes one or more the elements that are essential for plants. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Nitrogen fertilizers are mostly obtained from synthetic ammonia. This chemical is used either as a gas or in a water solution. It can also be converted into salts such as ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium phosphate. Treated garbage, sewage and manure are also common sources of ammonium nitrate.

Soil Testing

 A home testing kit can be used to test your soil.  You will be able to determine the proper analysis for your specific needs. If you would rather, you can have it tested by professionals at a soil testing facility.

For example, a fertilizer that reads 12-0-6 means it contains 12 percent nitrogen, 0 percent phosphorus, and 6 percent potassium. 

Fertilizer comes in different formulations. There is quick release or slow release. Quick release fertilizer can be a powder that must be mixed with water, or a concentrated solution that gets mixed with water. Slow release fertilizer can be in the form of granular fertilizer or sticks.

Nitrogen is the element that feeds the green part of a plant.  It is the first number in the fertilizer analysis.  Do not apply nitrogen-rich fertilizer t any plant when it is dormant.

Phosphorus is the element in fertilizer that promotes flowering and strong root growth in the plant.

Potassium is a nutrient that helps with the overall function and health of the plant.

Follow the directions on your fertilizer container.  This will help to get the correct application rates.