FERTILIZER BASICS
Which fertilizer should you use? And when should you use it?
The most important nutrients for plant growth are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, often referred to as NPK. The
numbers listed on the fertilizer bag show total percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium respectively. These are known as the primary or macro "nutrients". Minerals used in very small amounts, but very important to plants, are known as micro nutrients. These include boron, calcium, copper, zinc, magnesium, and manganese.
NITROGEN has the quickest effect on plant growth. It is also lacking in our soils. Plants use a lot of nitrogen and it is easily leached from the plant root zone.
PHOSPHORUS is vital for root development, fruit and flower production. Our native soils have a small amount of absorbable phosphorus available to plants.
POTASSIUM comes primarily from potash. Potassium produces strong plant structure and increases resistance to stress and disease. Most of our native soils have a good amount of potassium available to plants.
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