Fertilizer 101

September 04, 2007

When buying fertilizer for your lawn and garden, there are two important considerations: Buy a synthetic, organic, or a blend? And what percentage?

Synthetic or Organic Fertilizer?

You can use synthetic and organic fertilizers in combination for quick and enduring results.  If you want immediate results, a synthetic fertilizer can provide a burst of green and fast growth. Synthetic fertilizer primarily consists of nonorganic mineral salts that are easily water soluble. Their nutrients are therefore quickly accessible to plants. The downside is that synthetic fertilizer does not provide long-lasting results. Organic fertilizer may contain ingredients such as bone and blood meal, manure, green sand, and fish emulsion. They are much less water soluble, and therefore, organic fertilizer provides nutrients over time, but doesn't provide the rapid results associated with synthetic products.

The Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium Ratio

The three numbers are used by a fertilizer company to advertise the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium included in their products. Nitrogen promotes healthy green growth, phosphorous enhances fruit growth and flowering, and potassium assists in building strong root systems. If you're goal is growing grass, you'll want to choose a fertilizer higher in nitrogen. For your flowers and fruit trees, a fertilizer higher in phosphorous would be a good choice. Home and garden shows, nurseries, and fertilizer company Web sites can provide information for selecting the right fertilizer for your needs. Trying several products and application schedules can help determine what works best for your lawn and gardens.

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