What Plant Fertilizer Works Best?

A gardener has many choices when considering fertilizer. Organic and chemical fertilizers are available in many different concentrations. Fertilizers restore depleted nutrients to the soil.

Considerations

First take several factors into consideration before choosing a fertilizer that is right for your situation, including what types of plants you are growing, the climate and rainfall the amounts in your area.

Types

Several types of fertilizers are on the market, including organic, inorganic, specialty, soluble, granular and slow-release.

Chemical Fertilizers

Chemical fertilizers come in different combinations of the main components of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Nitrogen helps plant growth and develops green leafs. Phosphorous is important in root development. Potassium helps maintain overall health throughout the plant's life.

Formulations

Good formulations of N-P-K- (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium) fertilizers for general gardening are 5-10-10, 10-10-10 or 5-5-5.

Organic Fertilizers

An excellent organic fertilizer mixes hydrolyzed fish and organic seaweed. Other organic fertilizers include animal manure, blood and bone meal, cotton seed meal, wood ash, worm castings and alfalfa meal.

Comparisons

There are pros and cons to both chemical and organic fertilizers. Both will help plants grow. Organic fertilizers are best for the environment and soil, but chemical fertilizers often have faster results.

References

• The Weekend Gardener: The Best Garden Fertilizers When and Where To Use Them
• The Garden Counselor: A Comparison of Organic vs. Non Organic Fertilizer

Resources

• Beneficial Insects: Growing a Healthy Garden