Choosing the right fertilizer is an essential part of making sure that the garden, lawn, and plants remain healthy and fruitful. Here, it is important to avoid confusing one fertilizer with another, such as using a grass fertilizer on plants or vice versa. So, to choose the right type of fertilizer, one should understand the distinctive features and ingredients each option offers. Below, one can learn about the types of fertilizers:

Types
Fertilizers can be categorized into broad types like organic and inorganic. Further, based on the mechanism of action, one can choose between regular or slow-release. They could also be categorized on the basis of form, like water-soluble powders or granules and liquid fertilizers Here, as long as the gardener understands the nutrient needs of the soil and the plant, they can choose the type they want. However, there are some things to consider, like organic fertilizer can keep the soil healthy, granular fertilizers can be used during planting, and liquid fertilizers may work best for transplants. Nevertheless, the ingredients play a key role in determining the outcome. So, here is a look at common types of fertilizers based on the ingredients:

Nitrogen fertilizers: Available in different forms, nitrogen fertilizers sold as urea are a popular choice for a wide range of crops. Further, ammonium nitrate is a water-soluble fertilizer that has a high nitrogen content and is used for nitrogen supplementation. Finally, ammonium sulfate is the form that contains both nitrogen and sulfur to encourage plant growth.

Phosphorus fertilizers: Diammonium phosphate, triple superphosphate, and monoammonium phosphate are forms of phosphorus fertilizers that increase disease resistance in plants.

Potassium fertilizers: Popular forms of this type are potassium chloride and potassium sulfate (used for crops sensitive to chloride ions. Potassium is a major component of both lawn and garden fertilizers, as it allows grass to absorb and use more nitrogen. Potassium helps garden plants build better disease resistance.

Biofertilizers: These contain specific microorganisms that enhance nitrogen fixation and improve nutrient uptake by plants.

Hydroponic and aquaponic fertilizers: These plant fertilizers are specifically made for soilless crops grown in hydroponic systems. These crops require specific nutrients.

Tips for fertilizing grass
Choose phosphorus fertilizers: Phosphorus is an important nutrient when it comes to new grass growth and development. However, this nutrient does not move around much in the soil, so it needs extra help from the fertilizer to reach young plants that need immediate access to phosphorus. So many gardeners add phosphorus-heavy grass fertilizers before they start planting.

Consider the ratio of ingredients: Starter fertilizers have a high concentration of phosphorus and quick-release nitrogen, which helps in boosting grass growth. Further, starters contain potassium. According to experts, some of the best nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium ratios are 10-10-10, 16-8-8, or 20-10-10.

Tips for fertilizing plants
Test the soil: Examining the garden soil is the first step in understanding the plant’s needs. A good combination of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus is needed to ensure the plant grows sufficiently and bears healthy leaves and flowers.

Consider adding compost: Adding compost, mulch, and other organic matter to the soil can help make it richer. However, the breakdown of organic matter takes some time, so this may not be a quick solution to any nutrient deficiency in plants. Experts suggest using a liquid or a granular plant fertilizer, which has a balance of all three nutrients in a 10-10-10 ratio. This usually works for most of the plants in the garden.

Tips for fertilizing vegetables
Add compost: Many prefer using organic fertilizers for vegetables, be it a large yield or just a kitchen garden. Compost is one of the best ways to fertilize vegetables and the soil in the garden. This includes adding leaves, vegetable scraps, and other leftover kitchen scraps that can decompose and break down into the soil.

Consider manure: Animal waste, known as manure, is another organic fertilizer for vegetables. Chicken manure is high in nitrogen, whereas horse manure is easy to find and use but may contain weed seeds, so its application requires caution. Further, cow manure is great for all-purpose fertilizing, goat/sheep manure is dry and easy to apply, and rabbit manure decomposes easily due to its small size. Worm castings or worm manure is one other tried and tested method for organic fertilization promoting vegetable growth.

Try ocean-based ingredients: Seaweed fertilizer, kelp meal, fish emulsion, and guano manure are also some popular choices for encouraging plant growth.

It is important to get the soil tested before using any lawn or tree fertilizer, whether it is organic or not, to check the nutrient composition and the pH level of the soil. Based on the results, one can determine the type and technique of fertilization.