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How To Fertilize Your Plants
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There’s a lot more to taking care of plants than you may think. While water and sunlight are essential, they may not be enough to keep your plants in their best condition. In those cases, you may need fertilizer. But fertilizing your plants is a tricky process. If you give them too little, they’ll struggle to survive. If you give them too much, they can get damaged and even die. So, it’s best to know as much about fertilization as possible before you start. Here’s a rundown of the basics.
The Benefits of Fertilization
All plant fertilizers contain three ingredients: nitrogen (helps chlorophyll growth), phosphorous (helps with root and fruit growth), and potassium (helps plants process nutrients). Usually, these ingredients are equally present, but some fertilizers may favor one or two over the rest. Overall, fertilizer helps plants get more of the nutrients they need, especially if your soil doesn’t have enough of them.
How to Fertilize Your Plants Correctly
Step One: Determine Which Fertilizer You Need
With so many fertilizer options, choosing one can be overwhelming. Essentially, you should buy fertilizer designed to help the plants you’re trying to grow. For example, some products are best for flowering plants, while others are designed for fruiting plants.
If you really want to be sure to get the correct fertilizer, you should get your soil tested. Testing will show you how much nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium are present, as well as the pH balance. From there, you can adjust your fertilizing process accordingly.
Step Two: Determine Your Fertilization Method
Most fertilizers come in solid granules, although some can be dissolved in water. Granules are typically the best option because they work long-term, so you don’t have to apply them as often.
If you’re using granules, you can utilize a broadcaster to spread them as far and wide as possible. However, this option only works if you’re fertilizing many plants at the same time. Afterward, make sure to brush the granules off the leaves so they don’t cause plant burn.
Alternatively, you can place granules at the base of each plant individually. This option takes longer, but you have more control and can adjust the amount of fertilizer more easily. Usually, all you need is a small trowel to place the fertilizer.
Finally, if you use a water-soluble fertilizer, you can add it to your watering can and spray either the leaves or the base of the plant. This option is convenient because you’re watering and fertilizing at the same time, but you must do it more often.
Step Three: Know When to Fertilize
If you fertilize too often, you’ll hurt your plants. When in doubt, wait longer between fertilization sessions to avoid giving your plants too many nutrients.
With granules, you should only have to fertilize every month or two. With water-based fertilizing, you may have to do it a couple of times per month. However, the type of plant you’re growing makes a difference, as well as whether it’s an inside plant or an outside plant. Check the directions on the fertilizer itself for more accurate timeframes.
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