Easy Gardening: Fertilizing

Plants must have light, moisture, and nutrients to grow. The sun provides light. Moisture comes from rainfall or irrigation. Nutrients come from fertilizers, compost, or manure.

If plants are not growing well, fertilizing them will help only if a lack of nutrients is the cause of the problem. Plants grown in poorly drained soils, in excessive shade, or in competition with tree roots will not respond to fertilizer.

Fertilizers are either organic or inorganic. Examples of organic fertilizers include manure (poultry, cow, or horse), bone meal, cottonseed, or other naturally occurring materials. Inorganic fertilizers are man-made products. They usually have a higher nutrient content.