Selecting the Right Fertilizer for Your Garden

As spring continues to approach, many people will start testing the abilities of their green thumbs. Some lucky individuals manage to grow healthy plants without the use of fertilizer, but most gardeners require some form of fertilizer or plant food for the garden. Here are a few good brands of garden fertilizers for the first time gardener or the veteran gardener looking for some tips.

Ironite Plus is a fertilizer that works for lawns, trees and shrubs, and flowers. This fertilizer contains enough phosphorous and potassium to encourage flower growth, but it also contains enough nitrogen to promote grass growth in the lawn. Unlike many other fertilizers, Ironite Plus also contains 1% iron, which helps flowers gain and retain color. Ironite Plus is an all season fertilizer, so it can be used year round. There are a few drawbacks to this fertilizer, but the cons are relatively minor. First of all, this is not a pet safe fertilizer. This is not a problem if there are no pets around, but this can be a major problem for pet owners. Also, this is a fast release fertilizer, so it does not remain in the soil for a long period of time, and the fertilizer must be applied more frequently. For more information on Ironite Plus, visit Ironite.com.

Peters Professional All Purpose Plant Food contains equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, so it is equally favorable to use in the lawn and in the garden. This fertilizer also contains magnesium, which promotes chlorophyll production within plant cells. Like Ironite Plus, Peters Professional All Purpose Plant Food is an all season and fast release fertilizer. Unlike Ironite Plus, this fertilizer is safe for pets, so pet owners should probably choose this fertilizer over Ironite Plus. For more information, visit petersplantfood.com.

Green Light All Purpose Plant Food also contains an equal balance of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, but this fertilizer is intended for use with flowers, vegetables, and ornamental plants. This is another fast release fertilizer, but instead of being an all season fertilizer, it is only used in the summer and fall growing seasons. This fertilizer is safe for plants and children. For more information on this fertilizer, visit greenlightco.com.

Garden Club Select Organic Fertilizer is an organic all purpose plant food. Unlike the chemicals fertilizers, organic fertilizers do not kill off beneficial microbes that are found in the soil. This is a slow release fertilizer, and the effects of it can last up to three months. Since this is an organic, all natural fertilizer, it is safe for pets. The fertilizer season is the spring, unlike the other fertilizers listed that are all season or summer and autumn season fertilizers. For more information on this fertilizer, visit dfsgardenclub.org.

When applying fertilizer, always remember that too much can be as bad (or worse) than none at all. Always read the labels before purchasing to prevent buying the wrong type of fertilizer. This spring, when gardens are blooming, use the right fertilizer, and do not fall behind.