Great for Growing: Getting Fertilizing Right

Fertilizing your garden is one of the most important parts of caring for it. Plants require nutrition, and they can’t always get everything they need from the soil on its own. Adding fertilizer helps to provide them with the nutrients they need so that they can grow bigger and stronger. You can fertilize your lawn, flowerbeds, and vegetable patch to ensure they remain as healthy as they can be. However, getting it right isn’t always easy. You need to consider a few factors to make sure you’re fertilizing your garden properly. Try following these steps to use the right fertilizers and fertilize your garden at the right time.

Get Your Soil Tested

It’s important to know the makeup of the soil in your garden. Every region and garden has different soil that could be suitable for different types of plants. If you know what the soil is like, you’ll be able to choose the right fertilizers to add to and adjust it. You can find out more from JimsMowing.ca, a company that can test your soil for you before fertilizing your lawn. The test should help you to work out which products to use and how frequently you should be applying them. It’s also worth conducting further tests sometimes too.

Understand What Plants Need

Having an understanding of the nutrients that plants need is important to help you decide which fertilizers to use and when to use them. Nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus are the three essential elements that the majority of plants need. Nitrogen can help your lawn and other plants look greener and promote the growth of leaves. Potassium helps plants to flower and bear fruit, while phosphorus provides the right nutrients for a plant’s roots. Getting the right balance of these three elements is important, which is why it’s a good idea to test your soil first. Read more about them at bhg.com.

Using the Right Type of Fertilizer

Your soil tests will help you decide which are the best fertilizer products to use. There are a few different categories to consider, with fertilizers that work in different ways. These fertilizers include:

• Fast acting fertilizer: usually a liquid, this type of fertilizer is ideal for rescuing plants that have gone downhill.
• Controlled release fertilizer: granules that you mix into compost so that they can work over a long period. Some of them work for up to a year. They are particularly suitable for container planting.
• Slow release fertilizer: usually delivered as a powder, these fertilizers work better in the soil.
• Organic fertilizer: some organic options include seaweed, compost, and manure.

Fertilize at the Right Time

Knowing when to fertilize is also essential. Fertilizing in the spring with a slow or controlled release fertilizer is a good idea. Some plants might require a fertilizer a few times a year, such as vegetables or flowering plants. Flowers in pots and containers can benefit from regular fertilizing with fast acting fertilizers.

Give your garden a helping hand by fertilizing when it’s necessary. However, make sure you don’t overdo it.