All the Information You Need About Fertilizer

Everyone who has plants knows that they need water, sunlight, and soil, but many don't know how important fertilizer is. Feeding your plants with fertilizer on a regular basis will make a huge difference in their health and growth. This is especially true for indoor plants that are in pots. Here are some quick facts about fertilizer that will help you use it safely and understand why it's so important.

Three of the most important parts of fertilizer

Every package of fertilizer has three numbers on it, like 2-14-0 or 8-4-5. These numbers are called the N-P-K ratio, and they show how much nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are in the fertilizer (K). Each of these chemicals helps plants grow up, down, and all around in a healthy way. Nitrogen makes green leaves (upward growth), phosphorus makes roots and flowers (downward growth), and potassium makes plants healthy and resistant to disease (all around growth).Nitrogen makes leaves grow, phosphorus makes roots and flowers grow, and potassium helps plants do important things like take in nutrients and water. It's important to pay attention to the N-P-K ratio of the formula you choose, because using the wrong formula on a certain plant will mess up its growth. For example, if you feed a tomato plant a formula that is high in nitrogen but low in phosphorus, the plant will grow a lot of leaves but no tomatoes. The best results will come from using a formula that is made for a certain type of plant. There are fertilizers for annuals and perennials, vegetables, tropical houseplants, citrus trees, and turf grass. By using customized organic fertilizers, you can be sure that your plants are getting the nutrients they need to grow well

How to Know When to Feed Your Plants

Most plants go into a dormant state in the winter, which is similar to hibernation. In this state, growth slows or stops, and energy is saved for a growth spurt in the spring. If you fertilize your plants in late fall or winter, you will mess up their natural cycles and confuse the plant. Their growth spurt will happen before they have had enough time to get enough energy, so they will grow slowly and weakly. Fertilizing your plants at the beginning of spring will help them grow at the right time, and more applications will keep them on track until fall. Some plants, like vegetables and annuals grown in containers, need more fertilizer than others. Feel free to ask our experts in the store how often you should fertilize the plants you choose.

Chemical fertilizers vs. organic ones

Chemical fertilizers, also called synthetic fertilizers, are highly concentrated formulas that give plants a lot of nutrients. But when these formulas are used too much, they can cause problems. Phosphorus, in particular, has caused groundwater to become contaminated, which hurts our aquatic ecosystems. Many gardeners and iffco bazar choose organic fertilizers because they come from natural sources and won't hurt the environment.The Best Fertilizer for Indoor Plants Our favorite fertilizer for indoor plants is Thrive by Plant Vitamins. It comes in a dropper that makes it easy to mix it with water. It is made from 100% organic seaweed and has the necessary nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium as well as over 60 minerals, nutrients, and active growth hormones. It comes from a responsible source, and one small bottle can be used to make 120 liters of liquid fertilizer. Plus, it smells a lot less than fish emulsion, so you can use it inside.Looking for fertilizers in the Guelph area? IFFCO BAZAR has a lot of options for outdoor garden beds, container gardens, landscape plants like shrubs and trees, and indoor houseplants. Come see us soon to get ready for spring!