Guide To Understanding How, Why and When To Use Fertilizer

Gardening is a rewarding and fulfilling hobby but has its fair share of challenges. 
One of the most crucial challenges every gardener faces is ensuring their plants receive the essential nutrients they need to thrive. 

Fertilizer acts as a nutritional supplement for your garden, guaranteeing that your plants get the right balance of nutrients and elements they need. Think of it as your plant's dose of gummy bear vitamins!

This guide highlights all things fertilizers—what they are, why they're indispensable, and how to use them effectively to keep your plants strong and healthy.

1. Understanding Fertilizers

What are Fertilizers?

Fertilizers are a substance that provides essential nutrients to plants, helping them grow and develop. Like we said, gummy bear vitamins!

What are the Ingredients of Fertilizers?

Fertilizers have primary and secondary nutrients and trace elements. 

Primary

Nitrogen (N): Crucial for promoting leafy green growth and photosynthesis. It's an essential component of amino acids, proteins, and chlorophyll. 

Common nitrogen sources in fertilizers include ammonium sulfate, urea, and nitrate compounds.

Phosphorus (P): Essential for root development, flowering, and fruiting. It aids in energy transfer within plants and is a key component of DNA and RNA. 

Common phosphorus sources include phosphates and bone meal.

Potassium (K): Known to help disease resistance and water regulation, also aids in enzyme activation and nutrient transport within plants. 

Common sources are found in potassium chloride and potassium sulfate.

Secondary Nutrients:

Calcium (Ca): Important for cell wall structure and stability in plants. It helps prevent disorders like blossom end rot in tomatoes and peppers.

Magnesium (Mg): A component of chlorophyll and plays a role in photosynthesis. 

Common source of magnesium is Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate).

Sulfur (S): Essential for forming certain amino acids and proteins in plants and supporting nitrogen utilization. Common source of sulfur is in the form of sulfate compounds.

Trace Elements or Micronutrients: 

These are nutrients that plants require in smaller quantities but are still essential for their growth and development. 

Common micronutrients: Include iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), boron (B), and molybdenum (Mo). Fertilizers may include these micronutrients as additives when needed.

Organic Matter: Such as compost and animal manure provide nutrients, improve soil structure, and encourage the growth of beneficial soil microbes.

Microbial Inoculants: Specialty fertilizers may contain beneficial microorganisms like mycorrhizae or rhizobia that form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, aiding in nutrient absorption.

Amendments: Soil amendments like lime (calcium carbonate) adjust soil pH, making it more suitable for certain plants.

Fillers: Inert fillers or carriers can be made of materials like sand, perlite, or vermiculite, ensuring even distribution and ease of application.

Forms of Fertilizers

Fertilizers come in 3 forms: granular, liquid, and slow-release options. Each type has its advantages and is suited to different gardening situations.

Granular Fertilizers

Solid, dry fertilizers that are spread evenly across the soil surface to release nutrients slowly over time, making them ideal for long-term plant nutrition.

Liquid Fertilizers

This fertilizer dissolves in water and can be applied directly to the soil or sprayed onto plant leaves (foliar fertilizers). They provide a quick nutrient boost and are often used during the growing season.

Slow-Release Fertilizers

As the name implies, they release nutrients gradually, offering a steady supply over an extended period of time. Vego Garden has organic slow-release fertilizers with a ratio of NPK: 6-2-4 and 100+ vitamins, minerals, natural plant hormones, essential sugars, amino acids, carbon & protein to keep your plants growing strong. 

Types of Fertilizers

Organic Fertilizers

Organic fertilizers is created by decomposing organic materials, such as kitchen scraps, yard waste, plant residues, and animal manure from animals, bone meal, ground bones, blood meal, fish emulsion from fish remains, and seaweed or kelp-based fertilizers are all part of this natural mix.

These organic fertilizers provide essential nutrients to plants and help your soil structure gradually as the organic matter decomposes. Organic fertilizers increase water retention and boost microbial activity in your soil, making it a thriving ecosystem. Plus, many organic fertilizers are sourced from renewable resources, aligning perfectly with sustainable and environmentally conscious agricultural practices.

Synthetic Fertilizers

Synthetic fertilizers, also known as chemical or inorganic fertilizers, are born from chemical processes. These fertilizers are precisely formulated to contain specific concentrations of essential nutrients, delivering a quick and concentrated nutrient source to your plants.

While synthetic fertilizers certainly get the job done by rapidly releasing nutrients upon application, this speed can also pose environmental risks. If not used carefully, it might lead to nutrient leaching and environmental pollution.

Although synthetic fertilizers fulfill plants' nutrient needs, they don't play the same role in soil health as their organic counterparts. Overreliance on synthetic fertilizers can eventually degrade the quality of your soil over time.

Organically Synthetic Fertilizers

Organically synthetic fertilizers take the best of both worlds. They typically comprise a blend of organic materials, like composted plant matter, and synthetic components, such as chemically derived nutrients. This blend ensures the gradual release of nutrients from organic matter and precision in nutrient content.

What sets organically synthetic fertilizers apart is their environmental consideration. They are designed to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff and pollution, addressing concerns often associated with pure synthetic fertilizers.

2. When to Use Fertilizer

The timing for using fertilizer depends on various factors, including your region, the type of plants you are growing, the type of fertilizer you are using, and the specific needs of your garden.

Early Spring
Many gardeners apply fertilizer in early spring as plants start their active growth phase to give their plants a nutrient boost. 

During the Growing Season
This can be done every 4-6 weeks or as needed from your plants. 

Before Planting
When transplanting seedlings, mixing fertilizer into the soil provides essential nutrients for young plants.

Late Fall or Early Winter 
For perennial plants, shrubs, and trees, a late fall or early winter application of fertilizer can help provide nutrients that will be available in the spring when plants start growing again. However, avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers that promote new growth before winter.

Foliar Feeding
Foliar feedings is when a liquid fertilizer is sprayed directly onto the leaves during the growing season.

Special Needs
Certain plants have unique fertilizer requirements. For example, acid-loving plants like blueberries may require acidic fertilizers, while fruit trees may benefit from fertilization at specific stages of fruit development.

Perennial Plants
Perennial plants like lawns, ornamental shrubs, and trees often benefit from regular annual applications of fertilizer in early spring to support their long-term growth.

Container Plants
Plants in pots require more frequent fertilization because nutrients can leach out of the container with watering. Use a slow-release or water-soluble fertilizer according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

3. Before Using Fertilizers

Understanding the Fertilizer Label

Pay attention to the N-P-K ratio, which indicates the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the product and the application rate, timing, and soil needs.

Soil Testing 

Before diving into fertilizer application, it's essential to assess the quality of your soil. Healthy soil has beneficial microorganisms, good structure, and the right pH levels. 

A soil test is a valuable tool for home gardeners. It provides information about your soil's nutrient content and pH levels, helping you determine the specific needs of your plants.

4. Fertilizer Application Strategy

Read the Label

Always carefully read and follow the instructions on the fertilizer label for the correct application rate and timing.

Timing Matters

Apply fertilizer at the appropriate time in your plant's growth cycle, such as early spring or during the growing season, for best results.

Spread Evenly

Distribute fertilizer evenly across your garden or lawn to ensure consistent nutrient distribution.

Apply in the Right Place

Avoid placing fertilizer too close to the plant's stem to prevent root damage, and apply it to the root zone instead.

Water After Application

Water your garden or lawn after applying fertilizer to help nutrients penetrate the soil and reach plant roots.

Consider Slow-Release

Consider using slow-release fertilizers for long-term nutrient supply, reducing the need for frequent applications.

Adjust for Rain

If heavy rain is expected, delay fertilizer application to prevent nutrient runoff and wastage.

5. Risks of Overusing Fertilizer 

Overusing fertilizer can have several negative consequences for your plants, the environment, and even human health. Here are some of the risks associated with overusing fertilizer:

Plant Damage

While plants need essential nutrients, too much of a particular nutrient can lead to toxicity, manifesting as leaf burn, stunted growth, and poor fruit development.

Nutrient Runoff

When excess fertilizer is applied, rain or irrigation can wash the unused nutrients away, leading to nutrient runoff into nearby water bodies contributing to water pollution and cause harm to aquatic ecosystems.

Groundwater Contamination

Over time, excessive fertilizer use can lead to the leaching of nutrients into the groundwater. This can contaminate drinking water sources with nitrates and other chemicals, posing health risks to humans.

Soil Degradation

Continual overapplication of fertilizer can disrupt the natural balance of nutrients in the soil. This can lead to soil acidification, nutrient imbalances, and reduced soil fertility.

Increased Pest and Disease Susceptibility

Plants subjected to excessive fertilizer may become more susceptible to pests and diseases due to imbalanced nutrient levels, weakening their natural defenses.

Final thoughts

After a while, using fertilizer becomes second nature; you learn to read the signs your plants are sending to communicate their needs, but it takes time to get there, and the best way to speed up the process is to keep going!