Fertilizer

When a plant is lacking in nutrients, they grow poorly and often die. In order for a plant to succeed, it requires proper nutrients. These nutrients can be provided through fertilization.

The three main elements of fertilizer are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). On fertilizer packages the first number is nitrogen, the second is phosphorus and the third is potassium ie (10-20-15) .The other elements in the package are carriers for the 3 main elements.

Nitrogen (N)

• Promotes fast growth and helps provide food for beneficial soil bacteria.
• Deficiency produces pale green and yellow leaves.
• Excess causes weak plants and can result in an unhealthy plants which attracts insects and can cause plant diseases.

Phosphorus (P)

• Develops good root growth, helps prevent plant diseases and aids in the production of flowers.
• Deficiency results in slow growth, thick leave development and poor flowers.

Potassium (K)

• Need for the overall health of the plant.

Chemical Fertilizers

(we are an organic garden and do not allow the use of chemical fertilizers)

• Easy to use.
• Easy to over fertilize causing burnt leaf tissue.
• Not good for the environment as they seep into our groundwater.

Organic Fertilizers

Some good examples of organic fertilizers and soil amendments are:

• Compost, manure, bone meal, blood meal, fish fertilizer, worm castings, coffee grounds, egg shells
• Usually dug into the soil before planting.
• Need to use more as they are less concentrated and work more slowly.
• Must be careful using manure as it can burn plants.