How to Mix Liquid Fertilizers for Soil

There are many different plant fertilizers available to help gardeners add nutrients to the soil. One type of fertilizer that is growing in popularity is liquid fertilizer. Liquid fertilizer comes in a concentrated liquid form and is mixed with water before being applied to grass, plants or flowers. The biggest advantage that liquid fertilizers have over pellet or granular fertilizers is that liquid fertilizers can be applied to the plant's leaves as well as the surrounding soil.

Things You'll Need

• Liquid fertilizer
• Water
• Garden-size sprayer

Instructions

1. Remove the top from the garden sprayer by grasping it with the one hand and turning it counterclockwise.

2. Fill the garden sprayer with 1 gallon of tap water.

3. Open the container of liquid fertilizer and measure out the amount recommended on the back of the product container. The usual measurements are one cap full of the liquid fertilizer per liter of water. This measurement varies depending on the manufacturer and type of fertilizer.

4. Pour three to four cap fulls of liquid fertilizer into the garden sprayer as directed by the instructions.

5. Place the top on the garden sprayer and turn it clockwise until securely closed.

6. Shake the garden sprayer to thoroughly mix the water and liquid fertilizer solution.

Tips & Warnings

• Liquid fertilizers should be used sparingly on potted plants as the salt from the fertilizer builds up over time and can damage the plant. Pellet fertilizers are better for house plants.

References

• Master Gardener Online: Food and Soil
• FastPlants.org: Planting and Fertilizing