Fertilizer is a material which provides nutrients to
plant roots in a form that the roots can use.
What is a complete or balanced fertilizer?
A complete (also alled "balanced") fertilizer contains all
three essential plant
nutrients: Nitrogen (N *), Phosphorus (P *), and Potassium or
potash (K *). N, P and K are required most heavily and used up
more quickly. Other nutrients needed are usually present in
soil.
(* Chemical symbol of the nutrient)
What does 10-10-10 mean?
This is the formula (see fertilizer
container). The fertilizer contains 10% usable nitrogen, 10%
usable phosphorus and 10% usable potash. The rest of the
ingredients are inert (non-acting) materials to help you
distribute the fertilizer.
What fertilizer should I use? Use a complete fertilizer (one
which contains N, P and K). Or use compost made up of several
different materials.
When and how much fertilizer should I use?
Have a soil test
done by your county extension office (or do one yourself). The
results will tell you IF any nutrients are needed, and HOW MUCH.
It's better NOT to apply fertilizer than to add too much. Too
much fertilizer can kill plants.
What is organic fertilizer?
Organic fertilizer originates
from a "natural" source, such as composted plant material or
composted animal waste. It is usually lower in percent of
nutrients. It also adds humus to the soil.
What is chemical fertilizer?
A chemical fertilizer is a
manufactured product, compounded of various nutrients in a base
material which allows spreading. Plant roots use a chemical
compound in solution which is taken up from the soil particles.
Plants don’t care about the origin (chemical or organic) of the
nutrients they use.
What is
fertilizer?
