Fertilizer Basics
Madison County Extension Agent Celeste Scott talks about fertilizer. Fertilizer is described by three numbers. The first number is the percent nitrogen content. The second number is the percent phosphorus content. The third number is the percent potassium content. For example, a 15-5-10 fertilizer has 15% nitrogen, 5% phosphorus, and 10% potassium. The rest of the contents of the bag are fillers. Fillers are important to help you get an even spread on the fertilizer. Balanced fertilizers have a non 0 number in each space. Fast release fertilizers release all of their nutrients over a two to three week period. Slow release fertilizers release nutrients over a two to three month period.
Most available fertilizers are synthetic but there are organic options too. Blood meal is a source for nitrogen; bone meal is a source of phosphorus; and seaweed, kelp, or wood ashes are a source of potassium. Organic fertilizers have less nutrients than the same amount of synthetic fertilizers and are more expensive.
April 23, 2016
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Most available fertilizers are synthetic but there are organic options too. Blood meal is a source for nitrogen; bone meal is a source of phosphorus; and seaweed, kelp, or wood ashes are a source of potassium. Organic fertilizers have less nutrients than the same amount of synthetic fertilizers and are more expensive.
April 23, 2016
Related Videos:
Q&A - How Often Do I Need to Fertilize My Vegetables?
Related Resources:
Fertilizers
Fertilizing Your Garden
Fertilizing the Organic Garden