Garden and Landscaping Fertilizer Facts

Garden and Landscaping Fertilizer Facts

By Richard Zondag

( SPONSORED CONTENT)— When I first started gardening, I believed that if I followed desirable garden practices, such as adding compost annually, I would not need to fertilize. However, as I gained more experience, I discovered that a targeted approach to fertilizing yields larger quantities of high-quality produce and flowers.

The Role of Key Nutrients

Clearly understanding the function of each nutrient is the first step in implementing a successful fertilization program. Every fertilizer container includes a fertilizer analysis, or N-P-K, which indicates the percentage of each major nutrient contained in the package.

While plants also require many other minor nutrients, most of them are usually available in the soil. The major nutrients include:

• Nitrogen( N)

• Phosphorus( P)

• Potassium( K)

The first number, nitrogen, promotes vegetative or leafy growth by increasing photosynthesis through enhancing chlorophyll and other building blocks of growth, such as amino acids and proteins. It also aids in the uptake of additional nutrients and contributes to overall plant health.

Of the major nutrients, nitrogen has the most visible effect when used in the garden, but if it’ s overused, it can overstimulate vegetative growth and delay or significantly reduce flowering and fruit production. Root crops like carrots are a great example, where excess nitrogen leads to large tops and very small roots.

Phosphorus, the second number in the analysis, plays a crucial role in root growth, early shoot development and

Fertilizer needs vary depending on the types of crops grown and the time of the season.

overall plant health. It is essential in transferring energy from sunlight into carbohydrates. It promotes strong and healthy roots that absorb water and other nutrients, which helps plants grow. Phosphorus is vital for good flower and seed production.

The third component, potassium, is essential for the plant’ s physiological processes. It aids plants by activating enzymes that facilitate cell wall production, photosynthesis and the regulation of water balance in plant cells.

Choosing the Right Fertilizer

There are two types of fertilizers: organic and synthetic. Both provide nutrients to the plants, but organic fertilizers are also used to improve soil texture. Fertilizers are available in two forms: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fertilizers are dissolved in water before they are applied to plants. Use a soluble fertilizer when you want a more immediate result.

Insoluble fertilizers, or granular fertilizers, are applied directly to the soil around the plants. Insoluble fertilizers break down slowly, offering nutrients to plants over a longer period of time.

Seasonal Fertilizer Guidelines

Fertilizer needs vary depending on the types of crops grown and the time of the season. Some plants, like roses and onions, are heavier feeders that require multiple fertilizer applications during the growing season, while others, like tomatoes, peppers and root crops, only need one application at planting( young plants) or once after the seeds have germinated and developed their first set of true leaves.

The following are some general guidelines for fertilizing different areas of your landscape:

Vegetable Gardens: In most cases, following sound gardening principles, such as adding compost to your garden annually and mulching with an organic mulch, will reduce the amount of fertilizer required. If, after the initial high-nitrogen fertilizer application, your plants are a nice dark green color, additional fertilizer applications may not be necessary. If, on the other hand, your plants are yellowish green, a well-balanced fertilizer can be used.

Onions are an exception. Because they have small root systems, high-nitrogen fertilizer applications every two to three weeks through June and July, along with additional watering, will yield beautiful, large onions at harvest time. Strawberry Beds: Apply a well-balanced granular fertilizer to both new and established strawberry beds shortly after they are uncovered in the spring. This will promote additional leaf growth, which will, in turn, yield a larger crop of berries in early June. Once fruiting is complete, apply a high-nitrogen granular fertilizer to encourage robust runner production for the next year’ s crop.

Annual Flower Borders: Use a high-nitrogen, watersoluble fertilizer at planting to accelerate plant growth and fill in border areas. Follow up with a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus fertilizer application once every two to three weeks throughout the growing season to encourage flowering.

Perennial Beds: Perennials should be fertilized in the spring, after you uncover them or as they begin their new growth. A well-balanced granular fertilizer will help your plants get off to a good start and keep them thriving throughout the summer season. The color of the foliage will indicate whether additional fertilization is necessary.

Do not fertilize perennials after midsummer to allow them to go dormant naturally.

Rose Gardens: Fertilizing newly planted roses with a high-nitrogen soluble plant food is essential to give them a solid start, establishing strong roots and lots of leafy growth. Roses are heavy feeders, so you’ ll want to continue using a high-nitrogen fertilizer throughout much of the summer to encourage new shoots that will produce more flowers.

Stop fertilizing your roses in August to allow the plants to go dormant naturally. This is particularly important in northern climates where hybrid roses are less hardy when they are fed too much fertilizer in late summer and fall. Lawns: Lawn grasses grow the most during the cooler times of the year, so timely high-nitrogen fertilizer applications in early spring and fall provide the best opportunities to grow a lush, dark green lawn. A thick lawn cover will also keep lawn weeds at a minimum because the grass will choke out the weeds.

Fertilizing doesn’ t have to be complicated; it’ s simply knowing which nutrients to feed your plants when they need them. Don’ t be afraid to make mistakes— the best lessons are often learned when things don’ t turn out as planned. As you gain more experience, your confidence will grow— just like your garden.

About the Author:

Richard Zondag is a horticulturist, master gardener and the owner of Jung Seed Co.

Family Owned & Operated Since 1907

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