When it comes to growing beautiful flowers in your garden, you obviously need to provide plenty of sun and water. But what about flower fertilizers? Yes, you’ll need those too!
In order to pick the right fertilizer, keep an eye out for the “N-P-K ratio.” That stands for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (in that order!) and indicates each nutrient’s percentage in the bag. For instance, a fertilizer that contains 10-10-10 means it has 10 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphorus (phosphate), and 10 percent potassium (potash). Each ingredient plays a part in promoting plant health: nitrogen pushes healthy leaf growth, phosphorous helps build strong roots and blooms, and potassium promotes vigor.
So which of your flowers should you tend to? Not only do your garden beds need a boost of fertilizer, but flowers in planters or containers also need to be regularly fertilized, because watering causes nutrients in these plants to leach out of the soil more quickly. There are several different fertilizer application methods to try, including slow-release granular formulas that you mix into the soil, spikes you insert near the root zone, or water soluble liquids to add to your watering can. Many organic fertilizers are available, but you’ll want to be careful: the term “organic” is not regulated for fertilizers, so just about anyone can put it on the label. If organic is important to you, however, look for products with the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) seal. It’s an independent nonprofit organization that certifies which products are compliant with USDA organic farming standards.
Now that you’re informed, here are some fantastic fertilizers for flowers to make your garden a showpiece!
1
Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Flower Food
This powdered 15-30-15 formula has plenty of phosphate to ensure strong flower growth. It’s easy to mix into your watering can and use every one to two weeks. Plus, it has no odor—which is great if you have nosy pets that are attracted to the scent of organic fertilizers.
2
Dr. Earth Root Zone Starter Fertilizer
Give seedlings a boost when you set them in the garden with this starter fertilizer. Its NPK ratio of 2-4-2 will help promote strong root development for baby plants. Plus, it’s safe for pets!
3
Jobe’s Organics Flower & Rose Fertilizer
This granular fertilizer with a NPK ratio of 3-4-3 is ideal for both roses and other flowers. It’s OMRI listed and contains beneficial soil bacteria as well.
4
Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food
This slow-release granular formula lasts up to six months, so you don’t need to fuss with it every week. Its NPK ratio of 15-9-12 will ensure fast, lush growth. It’s also easy to sprinkle around existing plants with a handy pre-measured scoop.
5
FoxFarm Happy Frog All Purpose Fertilizer
Don’t want to buy separate fertilizers for all your plants? This organic all-purpose granular fertilizer has active soil microbes and a NPK ratio of 6-4-5. It’s a good general fertilizer for everything from plants that are edible to those that are ornamental.
6
Worm Castings Organic Fertilizer
While not exactly a fertilizer, worm castings can be beneficial to your planting beds. It’s actually the digested “soil” produced by worm farming! The NPK ratio is 1-0-0, but they also contain micronutrients and beneficial microbes, and they improve drainage and soil structure. They have only a mild, earthy scent that’s not overwhelming.
7
Neptune’s Harvest Fish and Seaweed Fertilizer
This fertilizer has a NPK 2-3-1 ratio and is made from fish and seaweed to give your flowers a gentle organic boost. It’s also listed for OMRI use. Mix this liquid into your watering can for quick results. But be aware it smells strongly of fish! Some curious pets are attracted to the smell until it settles after a day or two.
8
Dr. Earth Total Advantage Flower Liquid Fertilizer
Simply attach this bottle to your hose and spray it on your garden beds for the easiest fertilizer application ever. The NPK 2-2-1 organic formula is also OMRI listed.
9
Espoma Flower-Tone Plant Food
This granular extended release formula is mixed into the soil or sprinkled around existing plants. It contains a gentle NPK 3-4-5 formula as well as beneficial microbes to improve soil health. Some pets will be attracted by the initial odor, so be careful when you apply it!
10
Burpee Organic Rose and Bloom Granular Plant Food
Formulated specifically to keep your roses and other flowers happy, this organic fertilizer is great for container gardens, flower beds, and bushes. The NPK 4-6-4 ratio feeds plants immediately, then lasts for up to three months. This organic granular formula is OMRI listed.
11
Jobe’s Organics Rose Fertilizer Spikes
Fertilize your roses and flowers by pushing this spike directly into the soil. No mess, no fuss, and no odor! The OMRI listed organic spikes have a NPK ratio of 3-5-3.
12
EcoScraps Rose and Flower Plant Food
This fertilizer is actually made from recycled leftovers, so you’re keeping food scraps out of the landfills and feeding your plants! The NPK ratio of 4-6-3 helps keep flowers in bloom.
13
Schultz Liquid Fertilizer
Add this liquid NPK 10-15-10 fertilizer to your watering can for a super-fast jolt of nutrients! The dropper makes it so easy to measure out the correct amount without making a mess.
14
Neptune’s Harvest Rose and Flowering Formula
This liquid organic fertilizer is OMRI listed and contains a NPK ratio of 2-6-4. The increased phosphorus of this formula will help boost your flowers’ blooms. There’s also a mild odor that fades quickly.
15
Scotts Super Bloom Water Soluble Plant Food
With a NPK ratio of 12-55-6, this is some of the most powerful flower food on the market. Give your flowering plants a super-charged boost of this every one to two weeks.
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