What do the numbers on fertilizer packages mean? (2024)

FAQs

What do the numbers on fertilizer packages mean? ›

It's important to note that the Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium numbers on your fertilizer are percentages. For instance, a bag labeled with “23-3-8” will contain 23% Nitrogen, 3% phosphorus, and 8% Potassium. Together, these percentages show the fertilizer's “N-P-K ratio”.

NPK 20 20 20 is a highly concentrated, balanced plant fertiliser. It contains equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It is ideal for growing plants in poor quality soils as it provides a high amount of each of the three essential plant macronutrients.

Plant-Prod 15-30-15 water soluble fertilizer is ideal for hydrangeas since the high phosphorus content ties up excess aluminum in the soil which causes a strong pink colouration in the blooms. Acid-loving plants such as african violets respond well to this formulation due to its high potential acidity.

A fertilizer with higher numbers, such as 10-20-10, simply has a higher concentration of nutrients than a 5-10-5 fertilizer, so you will need more of it.

Pro-Booster 10-0-0 is an excellent spring or summer topdress for soils that predominately need nitrogen. With 3.5 percent soluble and 6.5 percent slow release nitrogen, Pro-Booster 10-0-0 can green-up quickly and provide a longer lasting source of N than conventional fertilizers.

Peters Professional 20-20-20 General Purpose Fertilizer has a shelf life of at least 3-5 years if stored in a cool dry place.

The only real difference between a 20-20-20 fertilizer and a 10-10-10 fertilizer is the strength. So, if you know that you have a 20-20-20 fertilizer, and you need a 10-10-10, you can generally dilute the fertilizer down to half strength.

The best fertilizer ratios for summer are 6-0-0, 15-0-8, and 10-0-4. These ratios will keep your grass strong and healthy while avoiding fertilizer burn in the heat. Before you get any further in your search for the best fertilizer ratio for your summer turf, you must make sure that you know the type of grass you have.

The following are the main fertilizer ratios used by gardeners: Rooting: 1-2-1. Flowering and fruiting: 1-1-2, 1-2-2, 2-1-2. All-purpose: 1-1-1.

10-10-10 is considered an all-purpose, balanced fertilizer that you can use for all kinds of plants and situations. The numbers 10-10-10 represent the amounts of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus(P) and Potassium(K) - or as they're commonly known, NPK.

What are the top 3 fertilizers? ›

Nitrogen helps produce green leaves and stems, phosphorus helps produce root development, and potassium helps the plant withstand stress from heat or cold. A good all-purpose fertilizer would be a 10-10-10 NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium).

The fertilizer you choose should be based primarily on soil test results and plant needs, both in terms of nutrients and speed of delivery. Other factors to consider include soil and environmental health as well as your budget.

Most gardeners should use a complete fertilizer with twice as much phosphorus as nitrogen or potassium. An example would be 10-20-10 or 12-24-12. These fertilizers usually are easy to find. Some soils contain enough potassium for good plant growth and don't need more.

Understanding the 19-19-19 Fertilizer Formula (NPK)

Nitrogen is vital for promoting top growth in turf grass. It encourages the development of lush, green foliage and enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of your lawn.

If you've just had a heavy rain or are expecting that type of stormy weather, we recommend waiting until the lawn has had a chance to dry out a little before applying the fertilizer. You also don't want to fertilize the lawn during drought conditions, since they grass will not be ready for it to work.

As we mentioned earlier, the right fertilizer for you may differ depending on your soil results. In most cases, however, a high-phosphorus starter fertilizer like 10-10-10, 20-10-10, or 16-8-8 should do the trick. Whatever you decide, make sure the product you're using is suitable for the type of grass you're planting.

For raised bed or container gardens, mix 2-4 oz of 20-20-20 with 4-5 gallons of water in a 5 gallon bucket. Then pour the dissolved fertilizer on the soil beside the plant stem. Pour 1 quart of the mixture beside each plant, and repeat every 2-3 weeks as plants grow.

Both the chemical fertilizers are same as they both contain Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). The difference is in the amount of NPK they each have by weight. NPK 19-19-19 have 19 grams each of N P K while NPK 20 20 20 have 20 grams each of N P K per 100 grams.

If only one type of formulated fertilizer is used, it's best to choose a balanced product such as NPK 10-10-10. When should I fertilize my tomato plants? You should fertilize your tomato plants just before or during planting, around two weeks before bloom begins, and again when the first tomatoes are small.

Indoor Plants: Mix 2.5 ml or 1/2 tsp (the small end of the enclosed scoop) per 4 L (1 gallon) of water every 2 weeks. Outdoor Plants: Mix 22 ml or 1 1/2 tbsp (the large end of the enclosed scoop) per 6 L (1 1/2 gallons) of water in a watering can. For best results, soak the soil at the base of plants every 7-14 days.