Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gardening

Gardening 101: Different types of fertilizers

HappySprout Contributor
By

Getting the most out of your garden means learning about the unique social composition and atmospheric qualities of where you live. Choosing the best fertilizer depends on these and other factors, such as whether you would like to use organic or inorganic products. Knowing different fertilizer types and their uses will make you a more savvy and effective gardener.

While some gardeners do not use any fertilizer products at all, others rely on these to make their gardens grow the way they want to. Gardening, like many other aspects of home care, is very personal. You can follow the advice of others, but at the end of the day, it’s your landscape, and you can manage it any way you like. Gardening is a joy because it offers you a great deal of freedom and control. OK, let’s jump into the topic at hand.

benefits of gardening
goffkein.pro/Shutterstock

What are the three main types of fertilizers?

The first decision you will want to make when planning to purchase fertilizer for your garden is whether you would like to use organic or inorganic (also sometimes referred to as a non-organic) product. There are advantages and disadvantages to either product category.

Related

Organic fertilizers are totally natural products. It can be argued that they are more sustainable and environmentally friendly in most cases. If you are planning to eat the plants you grow, choosing organic could be a healthy choice. That said, organic fertilizers are sometimes considered less potent than their chemically-enhanced competitors.

Non-organic fertilizers are often more expensive than their organic counterparts. They can also upset the natural pH and mineral content of the soil in your yard. That being said, inorganic fertilizers are prized for reviving dying plants by quickly delivering vital nutrients to them. Additionally, some gardeners feel they get a more consistent output using inorganic fertilizers.

In general, there are a variety of inorganic and organic fertilizers available to meet the needs of any gardener. This product category is further distinguished by three main fertilizer types: Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium-based products.

woman leaning over flowers in garden
Zoe Schaeffer/Unsplash

Nitrogen fertilizers

Nitrogen products are typically used during the middle phase of the growing cycle. This means that as your plant has already sprouted and started to develop, these products can supercharge growth and promote vitality. There are both inorganic and organic nitrogen-based products available.

Phosphate fertilizers

Phosphorus is essential for healthy plant growth and can be useful in all phases of the growth cycle. Plants with proper phosphate balance grow to their fullest potential. This mineral is especially beneficial for the seeding, flowering, and fruiting phases of growth.

Potassium fertilizers

If you’ve noticed yellowed or browned leaves on your plants, they might be deficient in potassium. This mineral plays an essential role in allowing your plants’ roots to become strong and hearty. Potassium also plays a role in making plants resistant to illness.

How do I fertilize my vegetable garden organically?

best october vegetables

Typically, organic fertilizer is applied to the soil of your plants every two weeks to every four weeks during the growing season. You will want to mix it into the soil, not let it clump on top. Any product you purchase will have clear instructions on how the manufacturers intend for you to use it for optimal results.

What is the best fertilizer for your garden?

The best fertilizer for your garden is the one that matches the needs of your specific climate and landscape. Knowing your growing region can be helpful. It can also help to know the natural pH and mineral content of your area. Choosing a fertilizer requires you to think not in terms of the best single product but in terms of, “What is the best product for my unique situation?”

Can plants grow in just fertilizer?

Many types of plants do not require fertilizer at all. Unfortunately, it is not really possible to reliably grow plants with only fertilizer. While this product is not essential, it can help many plants to achieve greater states of growth and vibrancy.

Get out there and start planting

benefits of gardening

Planning your garden can be a very fun and rewarding pastime. As you make plans and purchase your essentials, it really feels special when you finally get to start to see everything coming together. Few feelings are more rewarding than coming home to a show-stopping garden. Whether you grow simply to feed your household or to impress the neighborhood, the joy of gardening is one of life’s true pleasures.

It can be tough to learn everything there is to know about planting a garden in just one season. However, if you speak with professionals at your local garden center and other successful gardeners in your area, you will quickly develop your skills. Even if you have trouble achieving everything you set out to do, gardening is always a learning experience. With time and review, your skills will improve.

Fertilizer is a useful product that is often referred to as plant food. While not every plant will require fertilizer, many will grow much better with the right mix of nutrients and minerals. Choosing the right fertilizer means knowing what is best for the unique environmental composition of your property. Even within certain growing regions, there can be many differences in pH, mineral content, and many other qualities that can affect the growth of plants.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
A guide to winter lawn fertilizer for keeping your turf healthy this season
Tips for picking and applying winter lawn fertilizer
Stacey Nguyen
By Stacey Nguyen
November 5, 2022
Fertilizing lawn

Besides mowing and watering, part of keeping a lush lawn is fertilizing it properly in the fall. If you've ever shopped for grass fertilizers, you may have heard of winterizing fertilizer. Basically, this type of lawn food, typically a nitrogen-heavy version, prepares grass with an energy reserve for winter. For an explanation of why you should fertilize your grass just before wintertime and how you should do it, read ahead.

Why would you fertilize your lawn during the winter?
Fertilizing way ahead of the growing season will help your grass grow healthy when the temperature warms up. You might see companies refer to such seasonal fertilizers as winterizing fertilizers. This name is somewhat misleading since you want to apply the fertilizer during late fall when grass growth slows down. They're all about preparing your grass for winter.

Read more
4 November garden plants you should consider growing
The best crops and landscape plants for late fall
Cayla Leonard
By Cayla Leonard
November 3, 2022
Close-up of daffodils in sunlight

November is the end of autumn and the beginning of winter, so it isn’t typically a time when people think about working in their gardens. However, November can still be a productive gardening month! We’ve prepared a list of four flowers and vegetables you can plant in your garden this November — we’ll even give you tips and tricks for growing them, what climates they grow best in, and when you can expect to see results. If you aren’t planning on planting a cover crop this winter, try out one of these four November garden plants.

Daffodils
Daffodils are spring-blooming flowers, but they’re often planted in the fall. Daffodil bulbs should be planted two or three weeks before the ground freezes, so keep an eye on your local weather for the best results. In mild climates, daffodils can be planted as late as the end of November, while cooler climates may need to plant them in September or October.

Read more
4 outdoor gardening projects to focus on this November
Things you can do to improve your garden this November
Cayla Leonard
By Cayla Leonard
November 1, 2022
Stone house with yard full of golden leaves

November is a time when things begin to wind down for the year. Many plants go dormant and slow their growth to survive the cold weather, and people focus on indoor plants and activities. If you're the type of person who loves being active and productive, then this might be a frustrating time for you. Don't worry, though! There are still a few things that you can and should do outdoors in November to improve your garden. We’ve compiled four of the most important November gardening projects, with all the tips and tricks you need to get them done.

Harvest the last of your fall garden
If you had a fall vegetable garden, be sure to bring in the last of the harvest. You may have already completed this step if you live in a cooler region, but, for those further south, this is the perfect time to wrap up your harvests. Be sure to store them somewhere dark and cool, like the fridge or a cellar (depending on what you were growing), or can them so they last longer. Any produce that’s left on the vine for too much longer will begin to rot or suffer frost damage.

Read more