Many different ways to provide a fertilizer

　
As discussed in an earlier blog, basic fertilizers are composed of the macronutrients of (N) nitrogen, (P) phosphorous, and (K) potassium. N-P-K is the quick shorthand to describe the three major macronutrients of fertilizer.

When reading a fertilizer bag or container, the percentage composition of N-P-K is listed. Depending on the horticultural need, the type of fertilizer is selected by the N-P-K percentages.


N-P-K and trace elements are obtainable by using man-made chemical fertilizers (inorganic) or from naturally occurring (organic) fertilizers. Organic or man-made chemical fertilizers each offer specific advantages for the gardener and , the N-P-K content can be located on the outside of the packaging.

Man-made chemical made fertilizers are generally packaged as either as a granular (dry) or liquid fertilizers. And when you think you understand the difference, granular fertilizers are further categorized as being Time-Released (Slow) or Fast Release.

Following is a brief description of time release granular, fast release granular, and liquid fertilizers
Time-Release (Slow) Fertilizers

• Provide fertilization over a period of time (usually 2-6 months) after their application by slowly releasing nutrients through a permeable coating around the fertilizer granulars.
• Benefits: long-lasting effectiveness due to slow release, a decreased likelihood of burning plants, relative easy to use, fewer applications needed per year
• Tend to be more expensive, release best in warm weather, and fertilizer effects tend to be slow or delayed depending on the watering conditions.

Fast-Release Fertilizers

• Supply nutrients to plant material faster than the time-released types.
• Applied in the same manner as the slow-released, the fast-released fertilizers will tend to show their results much quicker due to immediate nitrogen availability. However, due to their relatively quick release, their effectiveness usually lasts only a few months between applications.
• Benefits are the quick release as evidenced by quick green-up of lawns or plants. However, plants can burn easier, more fertilizer applications are needed per season, and there is greater need for watering the fertilizer after application.

Liquid Fertilizers

• Attaching a hose to a small container filled with fertilizer and spraying the combination on the lawn, garden, and landscape plants is how liquid fertilizers are applied.
• When applied properly, you can reduce the risk of burning plant material with liquid fertilizer as opposed to granular fertilizers.
• Nutrients are immediately available to the roots and plant leaves therefore providing the fastest response to fertilizing.
• Liquid is can be more costly in the large landscape; however, if you have a small garden a liquid fertilizer can be cost effective. However, with a liquid fertilizer, you will need to fertilize more often due to the fertilizer’s short-term effects.

Today many people are selecting organic fertilizers versus chemical fertilizers for the gardens, landscapes, and lawns.

Organic fertilizers are those made from once-living organisms and/or their by-products. Sources of organic fertilizers are cow and chicken manure, treated human waste  as in Milorganite granulars for lawns, peat moss, processed animal bone meal, peat moss, and garden mulches.

Though the N-P-K percentages are lower in organic fertilizers, people select organic fertilizers to improve the texture of the garden soil, nutrient release is slow, and organic fertilizers are considered to be the most ecological friendly to the environment.