Trying to figure out which fertilizer to buy for your garden can be a bit of a head-scratcher. Many gardeners use them regularly to help their plants and landscape grow better, but if you’re new to fertilizing, there are definitely some things to learn before applying them to your lawn or garden.
Understanding the difference between natural and artificial fertilizers and what specific purpose they serve is a good place to start. This brief crash course will define the two—and help you figure out the best products to purchase for your lawn and garden.
What To Do Before Applying Fertilizer
Test your soil! We cannot stress this piece of advice enough. A soil test kit, which you can pick up at the garden center, will provide you with the information you need to ensure that you feed your soil in an efficient and sustainable manner. It will show you the pH and nutrient levels of your garden soil.
The Difference Between Natural and Artificial Fertilizers
The first key difference to learn is that natural (also often referred to as ‘organic’) fertilizers feed your soil, whereas synthetic fertilizers tend to focus on feeding the plants growing in the soil. Both are made up of the same primary nutrients, though: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. You may have noticed an “NPK” ratio on the packaging—that refers to the balance of these three nutrients.
Natural fertilizers get these nutrients from sources like manure, compost, and blood meal. On the other hand, synthetic fertilizers are derived from man-made compounds like ammonium phosphate and potassium sulfate. Here’s a little more in-depth info on the two.
Natural Fertilizers Explained
Natural, organic fertilizers can generally be spread out and mixed right into your soil. They release nutrients at a relatively slow rate, helping to build the health of your soil slowly over time. They do, eventually, also help provide those three essential nutrients that your plants need. Still, if your soil is extremely depleted, it might take some time to see positive results from your organic fertilizer.
Synthetic Fertilizers Explained
Synthetic fertilizers are a little different than natural, organic fertilizers when it comes to how they perform. They tend to give plants a pretty quick pick-me-up, particularly in liquid form. Mixed with water, they deliver nutrients straight to the roots of your plants, allowing them to absorb what they need and start producing more foliage or flowers. A big difference between synthetic and natural fertilizers, though, is that synthetic does not really improve the long-term health of your soil.
They are great for fast-growing plants like tomatoes, though. Since they grow quite quickly and produce a ton of fruit, they tend to deplete the soil of nutrients faster. Synthetic fertilizers are also great for giving houseplants and potted plants the boost they need.
What Kind of Fertilizer Should You Use?
A combination of natural and synthetic fertilizers will most often do the trick. If your houseplant, garden, or lawn are looking particularly unfortunate, you’ll probably want to feed with synthetic fertilizers for more immediate results. But, adding organic fertilizers will also help to rebuild your soil health over the long run. Whichever type you select, always remember to apply it according to the directions on the package.
Whenever you use fertilizer, the ‘less is more’ theory always applies. By erring on the side of caution, you will avoid burning the leaves or roots of your plants. If you still have questions about the difference between natural and synthetic fertilizers or need help selecting the right product in Bismarck, stop by the garden center! We’ll get you all stocked up.