Chemical\/synthetic fertilizers are manufactured using synthetic substances that usually contain highly concentrated forms of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (these are the N-P-K values listed on the fertilizer packaging).<\/p>\n
These fertilizers work quickly because they feed the plants directly.\u00a0 But they do come with a downside \u2013 they do not improve the soil itself and they can, over time, even destroy the beneficial organisms needed for healthy soil.\u00a0 When you use large quantities of this inorganic stuff over and over again, its byproducts will actually build up in the soil and in time they can hinder plant growth.<\/p>\n
Organic\/natural fertilizers often use alfalfa meal, cottonseed meal, or fish emulsion to provide nitrogen; bone meal or rock phosphate to provide phosphorus; and kelp meal or granite meal to provide potassium.<\/p>\n
The downside here is that they work much more slowly, first breaking down in the soil into forms that the plant roots can more easily absorb, then making their way up the plant roots to your hungry plants.<\/p>\n
Organic\/natural fertilizers, on the other hand, don\u2019t feed the plants directly but rather add essential nutrients to the soil where they become available to the plants, more slowly, over time.<\/p>\n
Understanding the Basics about N-P-K<\/strong><\/p>\n While there are also many important micronutrients in good fertilizer, it is understanding the \u201cbig 3,\u201d the N-P-K, that is the key to making your own effective fertilizer at home.\u00a0 The N is for nitrogen, the P for phosphorus, and the K for Potassium.\u00a0 Each has an important role to play in the health of your garden.<\/p>\n Nitrogen is the nutrient plants use most to grow large and lush \u2013 tall stems with lots of good leafy growth.\u00a0 If you examine the N-P-K content of commercial products that advertise \u201cmiracle growth\u201d you will find there is no real miracle at all \u2013 the amazing growth is due to a balanced but high N-P-K ratio with a hefty amount of nitrogen in the mix.<\/p>\n Phosphorus is needed to grow strong healthy root systems, and to promote vigorous flowering.\u00a0 Commercial \u201cblooming\u201d mixes are usually high in phosphorus.<\/p>\n Potassium helps with plant growth, protein production, plant hardiness, disease resistance, insect resistance and efficient water use.\u00a0 Plants without enough potassium grow slowly and can have yellow leaves.<\/p>\n