Work fertilizers into the soil, where they benefit the plant's root system.
Like people, plants need nutrients to grow. The chemicals they use in large quantities, such as nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, are called macronutrients. Micronutrients, such as iodine, iron and zinc, are elements they only need in small amounts. Plants use their roots to absorb these nutrients from the surrounding soil, but few planting sites are perfectly balanced. You can improve the nutrient content of a garden by adding fertilizers to the soil. Many types of fertilizers are available, but they generally fall into two basic categories: organic and non-organic.
Organic Fertilizers
Organic fertilizers come from plants and animals. Organic materials, such as shredded leaves, grass clippings, rotted manure and fish emulsion are routinely applied to planting areas to enrich the soil and encourage populations of beneficial microorganisms. Compost, a combination of decomposed garden waste and kitchen scraps, is one of the best organic fertilizers. It not only adds nutrients, such as potassium, phosphorous and nitrogen, to the soil, it improves soil structure, increasing the flow of water and oxygen to the roots of nearby plants.
Non-Organic Fertilizers
Non-organic or inorganic fertilizers are made from balanced blends of synthetic chemicals. Available in granular, powdered or liquid form, these plant foods are customized to meet specific gardening needs. The labels on commercially prepared, non-organic fertilizers display three numbers. These numbers represent the amount of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in the formula. For example, a fertilizer labeled 5-5-5 is a balanced fertilizer that supplies plants with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, while a fertilizer labeled 12-8-8 has extra nitrogen and equal measures of phosphorous and potassium.
Advantages
Inorganic fertilizers are readily available, inexpensive and easy to apply. Additionally, they are made almost entirely of the macronutrients most needed by plants. Their concentrated, water-soluble formulas are rapidly absorbed by nearby roots, giving foliage and flowers a quick nutritional boost. Organic fertilizers release their nutrients slowly, through the action of soil organisms, providing a long-lasting source of nutrition. In addition, since they come from living sources, organic fertilizers tend to provide a broader range of nutrients than their chemically balanced counterparts.
Disadvantages
While the nutrients of inorganic formulas are instantly accessible to plant roots, the water-soluble compounds tend to wash out of the soil, therefore, to be effective, they need reapplication on a regular basis. Also, since inorganic fertilizers tend to be concentrated, they are much more likely to burn plant roots than organic materials. On the other hand, organic fertilizers tend to be more costly than inorganic plant foods, they are not as convenient or as easy to apply and the aroma of the decomposing materials can attract unwanted bugs and pests to the garden.
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