Demystifying Fertilizer: How to Read Labels and Determine What You Really Need

• Posted on 20 January 2021
• Posted in Demystifying Labels, Ornamental Gardening, Soil Prep, Vegetable and Fruit Gardening
• 0

Yellowing leaves? Stunted growth? Fewer flowers than expected? Your plants may need to be fed! It can be tough to choose the right fertilizer, and often, the wrong type or amount of fertilizer can stress and even kill plants. Learn how to read fertilizer labels and the basics of fertilizing gardens and houseplants for healthy growth. This webinar is followed by a brief Q+A session.

Products Mentioned in this Webinar:

Organic Fertilizers:

Espoma Plant-Tone (5-3-3)

Espoma Holly-Tone (4-3-4, but contains sulfur, which helps add acidity)

Espoma Tomato-Tone (3-4-6, but with added calcium to prevent blossom end rot)

Bat Guano (10-3-1, very high in nitrogen)

Fish Emulsion (2-3-1)

Synthetic Fertilizers:

Espoma Garden Food (10-10-10, good for many applications)

Miracle-Gro Plant Food (30-10-10, promotes rapid growth)

Miracle-Gro Flower Food (10-52-10, the 52% phosphorous increases bloom production)

Osmocote (14-14-14, good for container gardens-slow release granules)

Indoor Plant Food (10-10-10)

NPK (3 main nutrients in most fertilizers):

Nitrogen:

Keeps plants green and allows for lush green growth.

Phosphorus:

Helps with root development as well as flower and fruit production.

Potassium:

Fosters overall plant health. 

When to Fertilize:

Whenever plants are actively growing, typically in the spring-summer. Do not fertilize when plants are dormant, and avoid fertilizer touching roots or leaves.