You can also send a soil sample to your local Department of Agriculture for more in-depth results. [2] X Expert Source Matt BowmanGardener & Owner, Tradition Market & Garden Expert Interview. 21 April 2020.
Inorganic fertilizers provide immediate nutrients to plants and help them grow faster. Organic fertilizers take longer to release in the soil, but they create a healthier soil over time. If your goal is to take an existing plant and make it grow faster, then use inorganic fertilizer. If you are looking to make a long-term garden or flowerbed, then organic fertilizer is more beneficial.
Choose the fertilizer based on the urgency of your project. If you want future plants to grow faster, then choose granular fertilizers as this will make the soil richer over time. If you have a plant that needs immediate attention, then use the liquid fertilizer. If you choose a liquid fertilizer, make sure the read the directions on the bottle. Too many applications can over-fertilize and kill your plant.
Without the three macronutrients, a plant will not be able to grow. Some fertilizers will have plant foods added to them. If you are growing one plant, such as a particular flower, this will help it grow. However, if you are growing many different types of plants at once, it is better to get a fertilizer without plant food.
If your soil is well-balanced, choose an all-purpose 10-10-10 fertilizer. Typically, this will be nitrogen-heavy, because that’s the most common nutrient that’s deficient in soil. IT will also likely have phosphorus and magnesium. [4] X Expert Source Matt BowmanGardener & Owner, Tradition Market & Garden Expert Interview. 21 April 2020.
If you are fertilizing plants outside, be sure to clean up any fertilizer that spill into the streets or sidewalks. This will prevent it from getting into waterways.
If you buy a pre-plotted plant, check the label on the plant to see what soil they were planted in. This will give you an idea how often you need to feed it. [7] X Research source
Gather a small group of containers that are 2–4 inches (5. 1–10 cm) deep that have drainage holes. Avoid fertilizers. Instead, use a mix of peat moss and vermiculite inside the container. Let the plants set outside in their containers for a few hours each day. Do this for at least two weeks before you transplant them into the flower bed. This will help them acclimate to direct sunlight. The best plants to transplant are tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and melons. Some plants, however, do not transplant well. These are zucchini, beans, beets, corn, spinach, turnips, and peas.
