• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide

Selecting Fertilizer

A walk down the fertilizer aisle of your garden center can be overwhelming. So many different products to choose from; it is hard to know where to start.

But selecting the right type of fertilizer will help you grow attractive, healthy and productive plants.

Look at the three numbers on the fertilizer bag. The first number is for nitrogen. This promotes leaf, stem, and overall growth. Too much nitrogen can result in all leaves and no flowers. Excessive amounts of nitrogen can even burn or kill plants and harm our environment.

The middle number represents phosphorous. This nutrient promotes rooting, flowering, and fruit formation. The last number represents potassium. It helps plants ward off disease and increases cold tolerance.

Make sure your plants need all three nutrients before adding a complete fertilizer like 10-10-10. Adding more is a waste of money, can be harmful to the plants and our environment.

A bit more information: Consider using a slow release fertilizer. Slow release fertilizers come from a natural source, are coated with sulfur or another material to control release or are formulated in a way to release small amounts of nutrients over a long period of time. This reduces the risk of burn and provides plants with a steady diet of nutrients. This means less work for you. One application lasts a long, often the whole season, time.

Most manufacturers will label their products slow release. Check the Guaranteed Analysis on the back of the bag for the percent of Water Insoluble Nitrogen (WIN). The higher the percent the more slow release nitrogen in the mix.

Upcoming Webinars & Appearances


March 22, 2023
FREE WEBINAR: 
In a Pot, You Can Grow Alot!
Register now


March 25, 2023
OCMGA Annual Garden Conference
Appleton, Wisconsin

March 26, 2023
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, Wisconsin

March 29, 2023
FREE WEBINAR: 
Gardening Basics to Boost Your Success
Register now

April 1, 2023

REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, Wisconsin

April 5, 2023
FREE WEBINAR: 
What's New - Discover
New & Unique Plants!
Register now

April 11, 2023

Southwestern Indiana Master Gardener Association's 2023 Speaker Series
Darmstadt, Indiana
 

April 18, 2023
FREE WEBINAR: 
Growing a Bountiful Harvest even when Time, Space & Budget are Limited

Register now

April 20, 2023
SC Johnson Golden Rondelle Theater Speaker Series
Racine, WI
Register now

April 22, 2023
Pasquesi Home & Gardens
Lake Bluff, IL

April 25, 2023
Frederik Meijer Gardens
Grand Rapids, MI

Watch Melinda's past webinars ON DEMAND

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Enter to Win Melinda's Container Gardening Tips & Techniques DVD set

ENTER NOW