Which Fertilizers Work Best?

Liquid fertilizer infuses sick or young plants with a quick shot of vitamins and minerals.

All fertilizers are designed to aid plants as they struggle to grow under less than optimal soil conditions. Still, while all fertilizers carry food for the plants, several factors affect how well plants develop, including the time it takes to release the necessary chemicals within the fertilizer as well as the list of nutrients included in the mix. While no one fertilizer is best for all plants, different types fertilizers best meet different plants' needs.

Organic Fertilizer

Organic fertilizers come from many naturally occurring sources including manure, peat moss, seaweed, guano and worm castings. These organic materials all decompose over time, releasing elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium into the earth for plants to soak up. Additionally, organic fertilizers release nutrients slowly enough to prevent runoff of excess nutrients which can lead to contamination of the water table or root burn. Because of its timed release and all-natural ingredients, organic fertilizer is best for plant gardens and large landscapes. Disadvantages such as inconsistent release time and relatively low levels of nutrient content compared to inorganic fertilizers make organic fertilizers unsuitable for gardens meant for quick or high yields.

Liquid Fertilizer

Liquid fertilizer is most often inorganic and contains a chemically created balance of nutrients and elements including calcium, manganese and chlorides. This type of fertilizer is best for malnourished plants or gardens that have suffered through a violent storm or drought. Liquid fertilizer is extremely potent and, because it is in liquid form, can be ingested immediately by the plant. This type of fertilization is designed specifically to give plants a vital boost during germination or in case of emergency.

Time Release Fertilizer

Time release fertilizer is inorganic fertilizer in pellet, spike, treated soil or granular form that is designed to melt over time, allowing nutrients to seep in during regular watering or rainy periods. These fertilizers are best for large production gardens and vegetable gardens because they are scientifically designed to provide an optimal diet for plants over time. Time release fertilizer carries a higher dose of elements such as nitrogen and potassium, which are vital to the growth and speed of development of plants as well as calcium, which helps firm a plant's cell structure. In fact, inorganic fertilizers often release more nutrients than plants can handle, causing excess to pollute water tables or nearby streams, so this should be taken into account when making your choice.

Plant-Specific Fertilizer

Some plants evolved in peculiar circumstance, and this development caused them to require different amounts of key nutrients than more common plants. For these, plant-specific fertilizer is the best option. These mixtures provide key nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen as well as trace elements, known as micro-nutrients, in specific quantities for the development of a certain species.

References

• University of Illinois; Lawn FAQ
• Types of Fertilizers; Types of Fertilizers
• Basics of Gardening; The Five Types of Fertilizers