The Dirt on Dirt
Written By Juniper (Sepcialized writer for this section
Spring is one of the best times to think about fertilizer. But when you get to the fertilizer isle in the store are you confused?
The typing on the bottles are small and the ingredients are sometimes unpronouncable let alone understandable. Where do you start? The first thing when comparing fertilizers is to known what the initials N-P-K stand for. This ratio compares the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Most complete fertilizers will contain all three elements.
Plants need 6 main elements to grow. These three, nitrogen,phoshorus and potassium, all come from the soil and must be restored periodically. The other three elements, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen occur naturally in the air and water.
Nitrogen is necessary as it promotes the growth of leaves and stems. The Phosphorus helps in early root and bud growth. Potassium is necessary for overall vigor of the plant.
Fertilizing involves more than just laying down a layer of ferilizer. You must first make sure your plants are in the right Ph soil, the right temperature and the right amount of water and light. You also want to make sure the soil around the plant is loose and crumbly to allow in moisture and air. A Ph of around 6.5 is best for most perennials. You can buy a Ph kit at most garden stores. Most plants will come with a tag that tells you in what climate the plant will grow best in. If not, you can always check your local library for a book on horticulture or check the web.
Reference: Texas Monthly; April 2005, pg 26.