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Trying to determine
which fertilizer to use can be very intimidating. What formulation is best
for your situation? Well the first step in choosing the right fertilizer,
is trying to understand what those 3 numbers on the front of the package
stand for.
Those 3 numbers on the
fertilizer bags or boxes are the general analysis of the fertilizer, and are
put there by law. These numbers represent the percentage, by weight of the
contents, of the three major nutrients required for healthy plant growth…and
they’re always in the same order…Nitrogen – Phosphorus – Potassium…N-P-K…and
each one affects plant growth differently…so the formula you select should
depend on what you’re going to feed.
The first number is the
percentage of nitrogen in the bag. Nitrogen helps to promote plants to grow
more quickly. So the higher the first number, the more nitrogen and the
more your plants should grow. Lawn fertilizers are usually high in
nitrogen.
The second number is the
percentage of phosphorus. Phosphorus aids in root development and helps
increase flowering ability and bloom sizes. “Bloom Booster” or starter
fertilizers are usually higher in phosphorus.
The third number is the
percentage of potassium in the bag. Potassium has many functions including
helping guard against diseases, aids in drought and cold tolerance, as well
as helps in root development and in the process of photosynthesis.
By the way, if you look
at the numbers on the bag, they do not total 100 percent. That’s because
the remaining percentages include other essential nutrients, as well as the
carrying agent, or filler product.
Now if you’re still not
sure which fertilizer to use, check with the garden pros at the garden store
for help…or they may suggest that you have your soil tested…that way you’ll
know exactly what’s lacking, and which fertilizer best suits your needs.
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