Fertilizing your plants is very important because, in addition to sunlight and water, all plants require certain nutrients to thrive, and if you don’t replenish their supply from time to time, they may end up having health problems.
Fertilizing your plants is very important because, in addition to sunlight and water, all plants require certain nutrients to thrive, and if you don’t replenish their supply from time to time, they may end up having health problems.
Moreover, it’s possible that they won’t grow as well or bloom as much as you’d like. Once you consider the different types of fertilizers, the quality of your soil, and exactly what your plants need, sometimes it’s easier to skip the whole process.
Fertilizing your plants: Important things to know before you do it
?Why do plants need fertilizer
Plants, like all living things, need a range of essential nutrients to grow properly and stay healthy.
All plants need nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in particular, known as macronutrients because they are so desperate for them (there are also many micronutrients that are needed in small amounts, and you usually don’t need to worry about them).
Without enough of these macronutrients, you’ll end up with wilted plants, weak stems, smaller leaves, fewer flowers, and poor color.
The good news is that you can correct most nutrient deficiencies by adding some fertilizer.
The best way to feed your plants depends on whether they’re growing in your garden or in containers.
Fertilizing Your Garden
It may seem like your plants can just get all the nutrients they need from your garden soil. But that’s not always the case, as factors like the area you live in and what’s growing in your soil affect the nutrient levels in your soil.
Even if you have rich soil, over time your plants can use up all the nutrients in the soil, leaving your soil poor in nutrients that are essential for your plants.
But wait! Before you start spreading fertilizer, you need to know the current nutrient levels in your garden.
The best place to start is to test your soil so you know what it is and what you need to add for healthy plants, otherwise you could end up wasting money on fertilizer you don’t need, or overdoing it and damaging your plants.
The results of your soil test will usually tell you exactly how much of a particular nutrient you need to provide. Since plants will use different amounts each year, it’s a good idea to have your soil tested annually.
Adding compost, mulch, and other organic matter to your soil will help make it richer, but it may not provide nutrients quickly enough for whatever you’re growing. That’s because the organic matter has to break down a bit over time before plants can use the nutrients in it.
You can supplement these slow-release nutrients with more immediately available nutrients provided by fertilizer, such as using a liquid or granular product with a balanced amount of the big three nutrients.
Look for a number on the label like 10-10-10 (representing the ratios of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the fertilizer, often abbreviated as N-P-K), which is appropriate for most plants.
Fertilizing Houseplants and Container Gardens
Fertilizers are especially important for houseplants and other containerized plants because they are limited to the soil in their pots, and once those nutrients are gone, your plants’ roots can’t reach out to find more.
This is one reason why it’s important to start with a high-quality potting soil, which often already contains some slow-release fertilizer to support your plants’ initial growth. Once that’s gone, it’ll be important to add more or replenish with a fresh mix.
If you’re unsure about how much fertilizer to give your potted plants, it’s always better to under-fertilize than to over-fertilize. Adding too much can make it harder for the roots to absorb water. Additionally, overdosing can cause the leaves to turn brown or yellow, which is exactly the opposite of what you’re trying to achieve.
If you’re using a liquid fertilizer that’s meant to be mixed with water first, a handy trick is to dilute it to about half the strength the label calls for. That way, you’ll reduce the risk of over-fertilizing but your plants will likely get enough of what they need (remember, a little goes a long way).