natural science class when you learnt about The Periodic Table of Elements?!?!?! Does Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium ring a bell? If you don’t remember don’t worry it there is always room to catch up.
These three elements are essential for your plants, they provide nutrients, promote productive growth, and give plants good colour. They are often referred to as the NPK balance
Nitrogen: Promotes foliage and stem growth. Organic sources of nitrogen include fish manure, seaweed, and bone manure
Phosphorus: Promotes root development and flowering. Gives plants a level of drought. Gives plant a level of tolerance against drought. Organic comes from blood, and bone compounds.
Potassium: encourages healthy growth, flowering and fruiting and is most beneficial to root crops and potatoes. Organic sources of Potassium is wood ash and rock potash and soaked banana leaves.
Most manufactured fertilizers are all purpose or complete garden fertilizers all contain the nutrients N P and K in balanced proportions. The ration at which it must be given to plant is clearly described and should be followed. Ever heard of too much of anything is bad for you? Well too much fertilize can ruin your crops and cause more harm then good.
Slow-release fertilizers come in the form of granules which include all the elements to promote healthy plant growth. Whether sprinkled into pots or on the base of the plants on the soil they slowly release nutrients over prolonged periods.
With the rise in Genetically Modified Food, home gardeners have taken it upon themselves to grow their own food organically. I would recommend you research the type of fertilizer you intend on using.
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