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  Fertilizers are known for providing certain vital nutrients to plants, and ensure their better growth. The main ingredients of almost all fertilizers are nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. Find out more about the ingredients of fertilizers by going through this article. Fertilizers can provide the nutrients essential for plant growth. They are generally applied on the soil or leaves of the plants to promote their rapid growth and development. They generally come in three basic forms – dry, soluble, and time release fertilizers. Soluble fertilizers can be dissolved in water. On the other hand, the time release fertilizers can come in both dry and soluble form, and they are released slowly over a period of time. Fertilizer Components Whether organic or synthetic, the key ingredients of a fertilizer are, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are usually referred to as NPK. These are the primary macro nutrients found in any fertilizer. However, their concentration can vary con...

  This is the common dilemma faced by most farmers and gardeners today. It’s essentially the decision to choose between the tried and true but slow-working fertilizer; one that promises faster growth. Let’s understand about this issue Fertilizers are the protein supplements for your plants. They are used to enrich the soil with nutrients that it does not inherently have. They should be used strictly as a deficiency-buster. Inordinate use of different types of fertilizers kills the naturally present soil ingredients too. So, it is important to use them carefully and only as per need. Understanding the Two Types Organic fertilizers are made from naturally occurring substances, and include by-products or waste remains of the animals. Dead plants and animal remains are also often used as fertilizers in organic farming. They are naturally chemical-rich and contain high amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). The main difference between a chemical and an organic fertilizer ...

  In this article we will explain in detail types of fertilizers and their uses regarding providing nutrients to plants, and maintaining the quality of soil. Fertilizers are complex chemical compounds that are necessary for proper growth and development of plants. They are either added to the soil or applied on the leaves of the plants in the liquidated form. They can be broadly categorized into two types – organic and inorganic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers include – cow manure, green manure, organic compost, etc. The inorganic ones are chemical substances prepared specifically to suit a particular purpose. They are also known as chemical fertilizers, and are usually available in a powdered and granular appearance. Some of them are also manufactured in the form of liquid. Fertilizers primarily supply three major nutrients to the soil. They are – Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). Hence, they are commonly referred to as NPK fertilizers. Fertilizers with Nitrog...

  Every gardener knows that generous nitrogen feeding makes the lawn greener and plants healthier. They know phosphorus-deficient plants are puny and weak. Plants lacking potassium have mottled stunted foliage later develops tiny patches of dead tissue over the surface. But what about when the garden has: An ample feeding of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium A soil in good condition Favorable weather … and still the plants are dwarfed or the foliage is distorted or the growing tips fail to elongate or the plant is discolored? These are instances when trace elements analyses are needed. A trace element, or trace mineral, or essential mineral (all terms for the same thing) is a chemical that has proven necessary for normal plant growth but is used by plants in extremely small amounts. In fact, the history of trace elements does not go back to the turn of the century. This is because they occur in such tiny amounts that they were not detected until late in the development of soil sc...

Well-fed plants grow fast and large, shading out weeds and usually staying disease-free. But shopping for the right plant food at the nursery can be confusing; specialty fertilizers for camellias, lawns, roses, tomatoes, and other plants crowd shelves alongside all-purpose fertilizers and organic products. Most plant foods come in a wide variety of forms: liquids, granules, pellets, tablets, and stakes. Which is the best choice for your lawn? For blooms? And what do all those numbers on the labels mean? For answers, see our fertilizer guide below. Fortunately, fertilizers fall into three main categories: granular, liquid, and controlled release. Most contain three primary nutrients ― nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) ― and a variety of micronutrients, including iron and manganese. Nitrogen is usually the most important and, for a given price, the better value. It promotes green growth, so lawns need a lot of it (29-3-4 is a common turf formula). Phosphorus helps rooting ...