What to Look For in Fertilizer
Introduction
Plants require a lot of elements for their life and cultivation. Nitrogen, potassium, and potassium are the most important of these elements. Fertilizers are substances that provide necessary nutrients for the efficient cultivation of plants. It might be an undeniable fact that soil and water address a great deal of this need, they might be insufficient in some nutrients for certain soils. The soil must be consolidated with some fertilizers in some situations.
Droppings, raws, and other plant wastes have been used as natural fertilizers for thousands of years. In former times, calcareous materials were used to decrease the degree of acidity and supply calcium. The first fertilizers used were sodium, nitrate, and bones.
There is an important note which is worth stressing. Chemical or zoological fertilizers, which include nitrogen and phosphorus, should be used attentively. Otherwise, it leads to terrible environmental problems. The great majority of pollution is due to this common usage of phosphorus and nitrogen.
We will focus on fertilizers, and our main objective is to answer the question of “What to look for in fertilizer?” Fertilizers are very significant for the cultivation of plants, and plant parents must have some knowledge about them.
What Are the 3 Numbers on Fertilizer?
The three numbers on fertilizer are the rate of N-P-K. N stands for nitrogen, P stands for phosphorus, and K stands for kalium, also called potassium. These three nutrient materials have different functions and are mandatory for the healthy cultivation of the plant.
Fertilizers can be organic or synthetic. They can be in solid and liquid forms. As all plant parents know, feeding plants over a great place in the maintenance process. Plant fertilizers are very effective in increasing fertility and encouraging cultivation. There are two varieties of these fertilizers.
They are either organic or inorganic. Organic fertilizers are based on plants and animals, while inorganic fertilizers are based on chemicals made by people. Also, some fertilizers can be dissolved in water while others are always dry.
Choosing the correct fertilizers is generally regarded as a complicated process. The basic reason for this problem is that the stickers’ numbers are deciphered. There are some essays and scientific magazines about this issue. These resources are advised to plant parents by agriculture experts since they give the exact and correct information.
As for the meaning of numbers on fertilizers, plant fertilizers demonstrate three numbers on their stickers which indicate the rate of every nutrient or the rate of three elements. These elements are N which stands for nitrogen, P which stands for phosphorus, and K which stands for potassium. The permutation of numbers is like N-P-K.
That is, the first number is nitrogen rate, the second number is phosphorus rate and the last number is potassium rate. Nitrogen is efficient in increasing leaf production. Phosphorus is effective for supporting blossoming and bearing fruits. Finally, potassium is necessary for the metabolic process. Besides, it increases the durability of the plant.
Which Is Better, Liquid or Granular Fertilizer?
There is no exact answer to this question. Neither liquid fertilizers nor liquid fertilizers are better than the other. Both of these fertilizers varieties apply the same amount of nutrients. However, one of these varieties can be desired more depending on the planter parents’ situation. Four basic factors should be considered while choosing fertilizers: The health of the lawn, the easiness of application, application frequency, and budget are explained in detail in the following paragraphs.
The Health of The Lawn: A slow-release granular fertilizer could be perfect for your plant if you have a healthy, settled lawn that requires gradual nutrition. On the other hand, if your struggling lawn needs emergent nutrition or if you are generating a new lawn, fast-release fertilizers would be more appropriate for your plant.
Easiness in Application: The application of granular fertilizers takes more time than liquid fertilizers. Also, filling the spreader with pellets might cause sweating which is an undesired situation. The liquid fertilizers are easier to apply. Plant parents can place the bottle in a garden hose and sprinkle the fertilizers on the lawn. As you can see, this process is much easier than the method applied in granular fertilizers. That is, liquid fertilizers are more appropriate for you if ease is significant.
Application Frequency: Granular fertilizers are more appropriate for plant parents who plan to fertilize once in a few months.
Budget: Some people must consider the materials’ costs and prices while fertilizing. Granular fertilizers are generally more affordable than liquid fertilizers. Furthermore, they can be purchased more affordable if bought wholesale. That is, granular fertilizers are cheaper than liquid fertilizers. Therefore, it can be preferred by individuals who have a low budget.
What Are the Best Numbers for Fertilizers?
Fertilizers are indispensable for supporting the cultivation of plants. However, having knowledge about which nutrients are necessary for the effective cultivation of plants is also crucial. Lawns, gardens, and ligneous plants require different nutrients, which can change according to seasons. That means the numbers of fertilizers vary in different seasons. The numbers in winter are different from the numbers in summer.
For example, in spring, the N-P-K numbers for quality fertilizers are 15-0-6 or 20-0-5. That means phosphorus is not included in spring fertilizers, whereas nitrogen and potassium are involved. It can also be understood that the rate of nitrogen is more than the potassium rate. Nitrogen usage is more in spring fertilizers.
In summer and autumn, the N-P-K numbers for fertilizers must be 6-0-0. These figures might be surprising for some readers since phosphorus and potassium are not involved in fertilizers of these seasons. The nitrogen is included with the rate of 6.
Trees and bushes give good results for every season with the numbers of 16-8-8. This demonstrates that the fertilizers of these bushes and trees include 16 % nitrogen, 8% phosphorus, and %8 potassium. These figures are regarded as the ideal numbers for fertilizers.
Gardens have a lot of plants, trees, and bushes. Therefore, we can say that the numbers for gardens are relatively high. For example, in spring, the numbers are 12-55-6. We can infer that the rate of nitrogen is 12%, the rate of phosphorus is 55%, and the rate of potassium is 6%. We can also infer that phosphorus is used more intensely in spring gardens.
In summer, the numbers are 10-15-10. We can understand from these figures that the rate of nitrogen and potassium is 10%, whereas the rate of phosphorus is 15%. The amount of phosphorus outweighs again. Lastly, in autumn, the numbers are different. The numbers are 24-4-12. The quantity of phosphorus is less than in other seasons.
What Does “NPK” Mean in Fertilizer?
As far as I am concerned, most people have noticed the letters N, P, and K on the trade fertilizer sacks or boxes. They might be complicated, but knowing the meaning of every letter is very important. In brief, fertilizers are symbolized as N, P, and K to indicate the nutritive value of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The letters symbolize these elements. N stands for nitrogen, P stands for phosphorus, and K stands for kalium or, in other words, potassium.
All three elements are crucial for the cultivation and growth of the plant. The permutation of NPK is very significant in figuring out the numbers. The first number corresponds to the first element’s rate, symbolized by a letter. The second number corresponds to the second element, symbolized with a letter.
Finally, the last number corresponds to the last element, symbolized by a letter. For example, the numbers 12-6-8 demonstrate that the rate of the first letter “N” is 12%, the rate of the second letter “P” is 6%, and the rate of the last letter “K” is 8%.
Another example might be given the number 10-10-10. These numbers demonstrate that the rate of all three elements is 10%. NPK numbers could be equal sometimes, but they are generally different on each fertilizer. Besides, there might be some products that are numbered as 12-0-0.
These numbers indicate that the fertilizer involves nitrogen but does not involve phosphorus and potassium. That is, if the number of any element is zero, this demonstrates that these elements are not involved in fertilizer production. To sum up, NPK means nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Is There a Difference Between Lawn Fertilizer and Garden Fertilizer?
Both lawns and gardens require nutrition from soil to stay healthy and cultivate efficiently. Fertilizers are very beneficial in case the soil can not provide sufficient nutrition. Some soil might not include sufficient nutrients for plants. Fertilizers have a life-saving effect in these situations.
The stickers on fertilizers indicate the development objectives of certain mixtures. Vegetable fertilizers, lawn fertilizers, and general fertilizers can be given as examples. Vegetable fertilizers are produced to use for the cultivation of vegetable plants.
Lawn fertilizers are used for lawns, and general fertilizers are usually used for most plants. Lawn fertilizers and garden fertilizers differ greatly in terms of purpose and content. Some differences between these varieties are explained below.
The application time: The most appropriate time to fertilize lawns is the first day of October. However, gardens need fertilization in spring when the plant’s cultivation and growing begin. Fertilizing the lawn in spring does not encourage the root of the plant to grow, it encourages above-ground growth. This growth might harm the lawn. Therefore, lawns are fertilized in October, while gardens are fertilized in spring.
The application method: Garden fertilizers are generally applied to the soil directly as granular. The fertilizers are scraped on the upper surface of the soil, then the soil is irrigated, so the fertilizers go down to the root. On the other hand, most lawn fertilizers are liquids. Fertilizers are sprinkled on the lawns and mixed into the soil after the irrigation.
The health of the plant: Potassium is important in providing health to the plant. This element provides an opportunity for the lawns to use nitrogen. Potassium gives additive support to garden plants to increase durability and resistance to ailments.
Conclusion
We tried to answer the question of ” What to look for in fertilizers?”. What to look for in fertilizer first is the elements and the numbers. The elements used in fertilizers are N, P, and K, and the numbers on the stickers demonstrate the percentage of these elements included in fertilizers.
Nitrogen is efficient in the growth of above-ground parts of plants. Phosphorus is efficient in stimulating the root growth of both lawns and gardens. Finally, potassium efficiently increases the plant’s resistance to diseases and ailments.
Fertilizing is a demanding process for plant parents, and this process must be carried out attentively. Plant parents should collect some elaborate information about this information before fertilizing. Plant parents might think they already know every detail about agriculture, but this thought can mislead them. Reading some information about fertilizing from magazines or books is crucial for them, too. Any slight mistake made during the fertilization process could lead to irreversible results.
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