Know Your Fertilizer: What NPK really means

the world of fertilizers can be complex but it all hinges on three letters and P and K these are the three macronutrients that are essential for plant growth nitrogen phosphorus and potassium nitrogen gets top billing because it's responsible for keeping plants green which is why fertilizers for grass tend to have a high end factor nitrogen also feeds new shoots and plant growth alfalfa meal cottonseed meal blood meal and fish powder all are some of the most common amendments with the high nitrogen content phosphorus builds healthy roots and promotes fruiting and flowering so you'll often see fertilizers for bulbs and blooms that are high in this nutrient in nature plants usually pick up phosphorus through decaying organic matter you can apply it to your garden as rock phosphate bonemeal and various liquid organic fertilizers potassium which is also called potage is key in the formation of chlorophyll and other plant compounds it improves disease resistance and general plant health it can be applied organically as sole pol mad green sand and liquid fertilizers when choosing a fertilizer remember that more isn't better plants can only take in so much so organic versions release lower amounts over time chemical fertilisers release an overload of nutrients then wash right out of the soil make sure your plants get the most out of any fertilizer by checking your soils pH first nutrients are most available as soil pH is in the sweet spot of 6.0 to 6.5 you'll find pH test kits and the best organic fertilizers on our website let us help you build your garden organically

Channel: Planet Natural

Views: 206,837

Rating: 4.7218814 out of 5

Keywords: Fertilizer, Organic Farming (Organization Sector), Organic Gardening, Nitrogen (Chemical Element), Phosphorus (Chemical Element), Potassium, NPK, Know

Id: RlPr5UC5QP4

Length: 2min 12sec (132 seconds)

Published: Fri Jan 03 2014