All beginner gardeners and plant owners have several questions about their new hobby. Among those, questions about the use of fertilizers are the most common ones. Do you really need to fertilize plants? If so, when should you apply for it? If you are wondering about these things, too, read on as Organic AG Products, your trusted supplier of high-quality organic products shares the answer:
First, Why Do You Need to Fertilize Plants?
There are several reasons why you need to fertilize your plants. Here are some of them:
For Remedial Plant Care
This becomes a necessity when the soil is nutrient-deficient and prevents plants from achieving optimal growth. You’ll recognize nutrient deficiencies in plants when you see leaf discoloration, leaves falling off, and slower growth compared to other plants.
Nutrient deficiencies may be common, and every gardener will encounter this at one point or another. Still, the important thing is to make sure the plant won’t suffer from a lack of access to water or light when you fertilize the soil.
For Regular Soil Care
You may need to fertilize the soil depending on what plants you have. In general, annual fertilization using mild granular fertilizers will be beneficial to most types of plants.
Vegetables and herbs are best fertilized at the beginning of spring as the plants are leaving their dormant stage from the previous winter and are preparing to grow fast. Fertilizing in winter won’t work because the fertilizers won’t be fully absorbed by the plant and will just run off with watering or degrade. Organic fertilizers are recommended for this as they release slower and also come with a lower risk of shock to plants.
To Maximize Output
If you have fruit-bearing or flowering plants, you want to give them a nutrient boost to get the best harvest possible. You might want to consider a nitrogen fertilizer side dressing every month or so during the growing season to get the highest yields you can get from your plants. You’ll also get bigger sizes of fruits and flowers when you fertilize. Premium fish fertilizers work really well for this. Just remember to follow directions on the label so your plants won’t be overwhelmed. If you do this, you’re just going to do more harm than good.
For a Successful Repotting
If you are going to transfer a plant to a larger pot, you should add fertilizers to make sure your plants can access the nutrients they need. If a plant has outgrown its current pot, it’s likely that it’s depleted of nutrients, too, so you need to replenish that. Seedlings also need fertilizers when potted anew as seed starting mixtures tend to be nutrient deficient compared to high-quality potting soil. You need to apply fertilizer by the third or fourth week of the seedling at the latest.
Conclusion
Fertilization is a vital part of growing plants. As discussed above, there may be instances when fertilization is recommended, like when you’re repotting, when there’s a need for remedial plant care, when you want to increase the yields you get from your plants, or when you just want to improve the overall condition of your soil and plants. The choice of fertilizer you use also depends on what you want to achieve. The important thing is that you choose a fertilizer that’s organic and free from any harmful chemicals.
If you’re looking for premium fish fertilizers, Organic AG Products has some of the highest quality plant nutrition products for you. 15-1-1 is an excellent source of nitrogen, and among the most complete fertilizers, you’ll find. Give this organic fish fertilizer a try and see the difference in your plants!