Here we will look at the option of using both synthetic and organic fertilizers for your plants' nutritional needs.
As you probably already figured out from your last trip to the local garden center, the variety of fertilizers found there are nearly endless. The fertilizers fall into two categories: organic or synthetic.
A good gardening strategy is to combine the use of both types of fertilizers. The best way to go about that is to start with organic fertilizers in the beginning. The main benefit of organic fertilizers (such as manure and compost) is that they condition your soil as well as provide nutrients for your plants. They really do enhance the long-term health of your soil, which is really the foundation of your garden.
The most common packaged organic fertilizers include soybean meal, feather meal, cottonseed meal, alfalfa meal, compost, and goog 'ol animal manure. One can also find combinations of blended organic fertilizers that work as good if not better than the synthetic ones.
Of the synthetic fertilizers, the most popular would be the granulated type. These synthetic plant fertilizers usually contain 3 types of chemical nutrients. These are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, or NPK for short. Each 100 pound bag of fertilizer will have a 3 number designation such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20. The number represents the amount in pounds of the individual chemicals. Whatever is left over is just filler. As soon as the granules dissolve in water, they release their nutrients and the effects last for about 6 weeks. To grow a healthy vegetable garden, the soil is usually prepared with the granules right before planting in the spring.
Then there are the time-released variety of the synthetic fertilizers. They also come in the pellet form, but they cost more and are ideal for lawns, shrubs and any plants that need a gradual supply of nutrients for a longer period of time.
Fertilizers are also manufactured to be plant-specific or tailor-made. Some fertilizers only provide nitrogen, and are usually used for growing corn. Fertilizers low in nitrogen are usually used to feed tomatoes and pepper plants. The low nitrogen helps in focusing the nutrients on the fruits, and not the leaves. Roses also require their own tailor-made NPK content .
And here we have some featured fertilizer products you can get now if you need them.
