If you look across the fence and envy your neighbor’s lush, productive vegetable garden, take heart: it’s all in the fertilizer. Fertilizer makes the difference between ho-hum gardens that eke out a tomato or two and lush, overflowing bushels of produce. The best fertilizer for vegetable gardens can fill your baskets to bursting.
If you don't want to worry about fertilizing your garden all the time, Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food Flower and Vegetable is a good choice. Its time-release formula means you fertilize once every four months
Garden fertilizer comes in a variety of forms, and which you select has to do with how often you’d like to fertilize and how big your garden is.
Regardless of the form, the fertilizer you select should be formulated to the needs of your soil. Fertilizer comes in a variety of ratios of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The ratio should be geared toward what your plants need. For example, for leafy growth, you'll want a formula higher in nitrogen. Fruiting plants need more phosphorus, and potassium helps many vegetables fight off disease and cope with drought.
This ratio is written on the bag, starting with the letters NPK (for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium).
Common ratios and their uses include:
For gardeners in a hurry who still want a quick burst of nutrition and a slow release of additional support for their plants, a varied release time fertilizer for vegetable gardens is the answer. This is formulated so that 30% or more of the fertilizer releases immediately, with the remainder slowly applied over time.
Applying fertilizer should not be rocket science. Nor should you need to purchase special sprayers or applicators. Look for a fertilizer that can be scattered by hand or mixed in a gallon jug and applied that way.
Some of the easiest applications involved screwing the container onto a common garden hose and turning the hose on to dilute and apply fertilizer all at once.
Concentrated garden fertilizers allow you to customize the potency of the fertilizer. These are also a more economical choice for gardeners on a budget.
The cost of fertilizer varies depending on the form and the size of the container. Expect to spend $10-$50.
A. There is only one clear way to know what fertilizer your garden needs. You cannot simply look at the growth patterns of your fruits and vegetables to determine what's going on in the soil. The only way to know for sure is to have your soil tested. Agricultural agencies can do this for you. If you aren't sure where to get your soil tested, ask at your local garden center.
A. Every garden needs compost, but not every garden needs fertilizer.
Compost helps to amend your garden soil to keep it light and fluffy. It consists of decomposed plant and vegetable matter, plus a few worms and naturally occurring nutrients to keep things interesting. It’s the base for a healthy garden.
Fertilizer has specific compounds that may be lacking but that are crucial for good vegetable production. Each garden is different, and some may not need as much fertilizer as another.
A. Depending on the quality of your soil, you may not need fertilizer. However, most vegetable gardens can benefit from a judicious application of a well-formulated fertilizer. You may still be able to grow vegetables without fertilizer, but your results may be spectacular with it.
Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food Flower and Vegetable
What you need to know: This is highly recommended by users and does not require excessive applications to grow beautiful vegetables.
What you’ll love: The smart release feature means you only need to fertilize three times a year. It’s designed to strengthen root systems and not burn aboveground plant parts. It’s also available in a formulation for indoor plants.
What you should consider: With almost 16,000 4- and 5-star reviews, there’s not much to complain about.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Home Depot
Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food
What you need to know: This is a familiar name and an effective fertilizer.
What you’ll love: Use this to safely fertilize plants every week or so. It’s safe for use on all vegetables and flowers and can be used indoors, too. It’s also available in packages as small as half a pound and as large as 10 pounds.
What you should consider: Small, tender plants may burn if the directions for application are not followed.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Home Depot
AgroThrive All-Purpose Organic Liquid Fertilizer
What you need to know: This is organic and can get results in as little as one week of application.
What you’ll love: It’s concentrated so a little goes a long way. It has two release speeds: 70% of the fertilizer is fast release and the remaining 30% slow release. It activates microflora in the soil to increase its effectiveness.
What you should consider: It needs to be diluted to use. Add 2-4 ounces per gallon of water and shake well before applying.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Suzannah Kolbeck writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
