Watering & Feeding
Understanding Fertilizer and N-P-K
Every bag or bottle of fertilizer has three numbers on the label, like 10-10-10 or 5-3-3. Those numbers stand for the percentage of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) inside. Once you know what each one does, choosing a fertilizer gets a lot easier.
Steps
- N — Nitrogen: supports leafy, green growth.
- P — Phosphorus: supports root development, flowering, and fruit production.
- K — Potassium: supports overall plant strength, water regulation, and resilience.
- Example: a fertilizer labeled 10-10-10 contains 10% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, and 10% potassium — a balanced, general-purpose blend.
- Quick reference — N = Leaves | P = Roots and Blooms | K = Overall Strength.
- Higher numbers do not automatically mean a fertilizer is better, and too much fertilizer can damage plants.
- Always follow the package directions, and consider a simple soil test before adding large amounts of fertilizer.
- Leafy vegetables (like lettuce and spinach) often want more nitrogen, while flowering and fruiting vegetables (like tomatoes and peppers) benefit from a more balanced or slightly lower-nitrogen feed.
Helpful tip
When in doubt, start with a balanced fertilizer and compost — gentle, steady feeding almost always beats a heavy dose.