All backyards, gardens and plants will sooner or later need some type of fertilizer. But what do those numbers mean on the back of fertilizer bags and in gardening books?
If you plants are growing slowly, are turning yellow or look thin and scraggly you need to add supplements, or fertilizer, to the soil.
If you are familiar with the numbers and initials NPK you will be able to select the proper plant food you need for your lawn or garden areas.
Fertilizer numbers are known as NPK. They are represented on the package by the percent of each nutrient in the mix such as 10-10-10, 20-10-10, 5-5-5 etc.
A quick reference to remember what each number does is thinking UP (first number, nitrogen is for green growth), ALL AROUND (middle number, phosphorus/flowers), DOWN (last number, potassium is for root growth). Gardening success = Up, All around, and Down!
The first number: N stands for nitrogen.
Nitrogen promotes green growth. Use high nitrogen (20-10-10) for lawns leafy vegetables and young shrubs and trees.
The middle number: P stands for phosphorous.
Phosphorus encourages flowers and fruits. Use high phosphorus like 10-20-10 on perennials and annuals.
The last number: K stands for potassium
Potassium (Potash) encourages roots to grow. Use high potassium like 10-10-20 for establishing new plants and feeding root crops.
There are other forms of nutrients that will also add nitrogen, phosphorous or potassium to your soil. Online garden websites, your local Extension Office and gardening books will provide any additional information you might need.
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