What Do the Numbers Mean?
When shopping for fertilizers, it is important
to understand what you are buying and whether it is appropriate for
your yard or garden task at hand.
All fertilizer labels will list the nutrient percentage by weight
that the fertilizer product contains. The three principle
macronutrients, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), will
always be listed in the same order. A fertilizer product labeled 10-3-1
will contain 10% nitrogen, 3% phosphorus and 1% potassium. This mix is
an example of what's called a complete fertilizer. Balanced fertilizers
are composed of equal parts of each macronutrient, such as a 5-5-5
fertilizer product. An incomplete fertilizer will have only one or two
of the three nutrients. This type of fertilizer is useful if you want to
give your lawn a supplemental feeding of only nitrogen during the
growing season.Organic or Non-Organic?
There are many choices for the gardener among organic and synthetic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers are produced from animals, plants or minerals, including manure, fish meal and emulsion, compost, blood and bone meal, cottonseed meal, limestone and wood ash. These ingredients all help improve the soil structure, release nutrients slowly and nourish the microbial life in your yard or garden.Synthetic fertilizers, conversely, are manufactured by industrial processes. They offer the advantage of being easy to produce, easy to apply and offer quick results. The downside is that they don't supply an organic matter to the beneficial soil organisms. If you like the ease of synthetic fertilizers, then combine their use with compost or leaf mold to improve your soil structure and health. Blended fertilizers are available in easy-to-spread granular form at many garden centers. Another combination would be a liquid seaweed-fish emulsion product that can be applied with a garden sprayer.
Fertilizing a Lawn
Lawns need to be fertilized to grow well and remain green. If they are left unfed, then you can expect weeds to grow and invade your grass. Lawns that are properly fed will be less susceptible to diseases, pests and weeds.If you are growing cool-season grass, then it's best to fertilize in the fall. It will feed the roots during the winter months and be ready for a growth spurt in the spring. It may be necessary to fertilize in the late spring or early summer if your soil needs an extra boost. Warm-season grass should be fed in the summer during its growth season. To maintain the best lawn, plan on having the first feeding in June and a second in August.
Purchase a fertilizer produced expressly for lawns. Many lawn fertilizers are mixed with weed-killing herbicides. If your lawn has been invaded with weeds, then check the manufacturer's label to confirm that the fertilizer will kill the problem weed.
How much fertilizer to use is based on the actual nitrogen content of the fertilizer. Most experts recommend no more than 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet during an application. Check the fertilizer's label to determine the nitrogen concentration.
Using an applicator or spreader to fertilize will help with an even distribution. If you need a spreader, then check with your nursery about renting one. Sometimes the nursery will make a spreader available at no cost to their better customers. Avoid the pitch-and-go technique, which can cause fertilizer burn or uneven growth. Always read the fertilizer label, and don't over fertilize.
Fertilizing Your Garden
Choose a fertilizer formulated for flowers and vegetables. Even in healthy soil, annuals, bulbs and perennials need to be fed during the growing season. If you dug fertilizer into the soil when preparing the garden bed, that may be sufficient for a while. But, plants are continually consuming the nutrients in the soil and those nutrients need to be replaced.Garden fertilizers fall into two groups: organic and synthetic. Organics are the best choice for the garden. Synthetic fertilizers tend to contain high concentrations of mineral salts that can acidify the soil and discourage earthworms. Some plants will thrive on acidic soil like camellias and azaleas, but not all. Organic fertilizers will take longer to break down than synthetics. So, plan to fertilize early in the growing season to make the nutrients available when the plants need them.
A good feeding routine would be to add several inches of compost or aged manure to all garden beds. Or apply a balanced organic fertilizer in conveniently sized bags. The bagged organic fertilizers supply more organic matter than synthetic fertilizers, but still less than a good layer of compost and aged manure.
Annuals that bloom all season may require an extra feeding throughout the growing season. The blends of these fertilizers are slightly different than that of a balanced fertilizer. Look for blends with formulas such as 4-5-4 or 3-2-2 for good results. As mentioned before, always read the labels, and if confusion still persists, then ask questions of your nursery man.