Many garden enthusiasts are already familiar with the 3 numbers that appear on the packaging of fertilizers. These numbers show the nutritional value for plants of each product.
These are the fertilizer’s “NPK numbers” and they represent the 3 most important nutrients – Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) that plants need. There are around 16 of these essential nutrients but these 3 macronutrients are the most important. Knowing the meaning of these numbers will help you choose the best fertilizer for your plants.
The elements
The three numbers on the labels of fertilizer products are the main nutrients that plants need to grow. The “NPK numbers” all play different roles in plant care. The first macronutrient is nitrogen and it’s the main component of the chlorophyll molecule, the function of which is to promote optimum leaf and shoot growth.
When you add fertilizer that’s high in nitrogen to a flowering or fruiting plant, it could result in excessive green growth but at the expense of fruit or flower production. Therefore, it makes more sense to add this to green leafy crops like lettuce or spinach.
The second macronutrient is phosphorus, which helps in the development of strong root systems. Plants that don’t have enough of this nutrient are purple-ish in color and they grow slowly.
This nutrient is also used for the division of cells and to generate new plant tissue. It’s especially essential for root crops like carrots, onions, and beets. It also encourages fruit and flower production.
Many fertilizers contain rock phosphates and bone meal. These are usually recommended for root crops as both are high in phosphorus. Therefore, it makes sense to choose fertilizers high in this nutrient for plants that produce fruits, edible roots, or flowers.
The third macronutrient is potassium that helps promote hardiness and vigorous growth. When this nutrient isn’t enough, it may lead to spindly or wimpy plants that easily fall prey to diseases and pests.
This nutrient helps stimulate the production of some plant enzymes. It also regulates the plant’s uptake of carbon dioxide by controlling the pores on the surface of the leaves. The potassium levels can also influence the vigor and heartiness of plants.
The 3 numbers represent the weight percentage of each nutrient inside the fertilizer pack. The rest of the contents consists of other nutrients that also appear on the label along with other inert ingredients.
What is 10 20 20 fertilizer used for
One of the most common combinations of these components is 10-20-20. This is a “general purpose” fertilizer that’s best applied to vegetable gardens. It’s specially recommended for root vegetables and beans.
But this fertilizer isn’t recommended for lawns because it doesn’t contain the ideal balance of nutrients needed for new grass seedlings or established grass. Instead, you should use a more specialized fertilizer for your lawn.
What is 16 16 16 fertilizer used for
One popular all-purpose fertilizer is the 16-16-16, which you can use for your crops, yard, and garden. It can provide all of the necessary NPK nutrients in equal amounts for your garden and lawn.
This fertilizer typically lasts for up to 6 weeks. During such time, your plants and lawn will receive balanced nutritional value. Moreover, you can also use this fertilizer in any weather condition and in any season. Just make sure to read all of the instructions on the package before you apply this fertilizer to your plants.
Is 16 16 16 fertilizer good for lawns?
As the combination suggests, the 16-16-16 fertilizer is a balanced combination of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, all of which are important to increase the soil’s nutrient levels. You can use this fertilizer for almost all types of plants.
You can use it for flower beds, lawns, ornamentals, vegetable gardens, and trees although flowering plants will benefit the most from it. Although it’s not considered the best fertilizer for lawns, you can still use it to rejuvenate the nutrients in the soil.
What is 14 14 14 fertilizer used for
This fertilizer combination is ideal for vegetables, trees, fruit plants, lawns, and shrubs. Like the numbers say, this one also has equal ratios of NPK that will provide your lawn and the plants on it with equal nutrient values.
If you don’t have a lot of experience with the application of fertilizer, it’s recommended to go easy with this type as over-fertilizing your lawn or the plants on it can damage them permanently.
On the side of caution, you may want to try mixing this fertilizer with an organic fertilizer to give you more room to make adjustments in case something goes wrong. The most common benefit of using the 14-14-14 fertilizer is that it provides your lawn and plants with the nutritional values they need to thrive and survive.
When you apply it, expect your plants to grow, their crop yields will increase, they will be safe from pests, and more. If you plant for a living, you will have the assurance that your plants will grow healthily so you can make a profit from them.
Is 19 19 19 fertilizer good for lawns
Also called the “triple 19” fertilizer, the 19-19-19 is an all-purpose fertilizer for garden that also has other applications, although it might not be the best choice for lawns.
If your lawn is already established, you might want to use a fertilizer that’s high in nitrogen. For a new sowed lawn with seedlings, it’s recommended to use a “lawn starter,” which is a fertilizer that’s high in phosphorus.
Although this type of fertilizer won’t cause harm to your lawn, it is just more suited when used on garden and vegetable plants. For your lawn, use specialized lawn fertilizers to boost the growth of grass more efficiently and at a less cost.
Scotts Super Bloom Water Soluble Plant Food, 2 lb – NPK 12-55-6
Best NPK 10-10-10 Fertilizer For Plants
GreenView Multi-Purpose Fertilizer
Superior Nitrogen & Potash 15-0-15 NPK Liquid Fertilizer
The Andersons Professional PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer
Conclusion
It’s a good move to start with a soil test to determine the amount of fertilizer to add to your garden or lawn. You should also follow the instructions for application as written on the label. Understanding the meaning of the numbers in the fertilizer packages will help you understand how to use them to grow a healthier garden. The right product will also ensure the best growing season for your plants.
