Choosing a fertilizer is harder than it seems. There are several types of fertilizers out there that work best for different plants and flowers. In addition, some types of fertilizers could actually either damage the plant or make the produce it grows inedible.
Before even thinking about adding fertilizer to the soil, be sure that your plant is getting food the natural way- through direct sunlight and plenty of water. You can use all the fertilizer you would like, and still not come out with a good result if you err on the water and sunlight distribution. Each plant has its own schedule and limits that you must learn in order to master gardening them.
The green revolution is constantly pushing new organic standards. The organic fertilizers you will find in the local store will be more expensive than fertilizer that contains chemicals. Even though that may be true, in buying organic fertilizer you will be helping the environment, saving your plants from potential chemical exposure, and enjoying higher produce yield.
You don’t have to apply fertilizer on a daily basis. In some cases you won’t even have to apply fertilizer for weeks on end. The long lasting fertilizer that is obtained in stores comes in granular form. Every time you water the plant, a bit of the fertilizer sinks into the soil, refreshing your plant. Liquid types act more quickly, but they also need to be applied more often. Overall it’s best to stay with what you feel comfortable with in fertilizer types and your schedule.
There are three main nutrients your plant will most likely need is nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. The nitrogen is great for building a luscious color, while the second two are for root development and disease resistance. You will see these three nutrients marked as “NPK” on the branding of the fertilizer you pick. Some plants require all, while others only need one or two. Your best bet is to act a gardener or look online for your specific plant of choice.
Plants may enjoy fertilizer, but that doesn’t mean that humans always do. A fertilizer that has a pesticide in it will be toxic to humans more often than not. Even when working with organic materials, you should observe proper safety precautions. Always where gloves, and if you do come into contact with the fertilizer, you should proceed to wash your hands thoroughly before touching anything else. Otherwise you could accidentally harm yourself or others.
Closing Comments
Flowers and plants are great to have as a hobby, but for the serious gardener there is a fine science when it comes to fertilizer. Companies constantly do research and development to try and find the best way to grow the next generation of necessary crops, plants, and scenic greenery.
