The Best Garden Fertilizer

Buying Guide

Building a healthy garden means giving Mother Nature a little extra help. Planting the right items for the amount of sunlight a specific area gets is an important first step, but you’ll also have to occasionally water your plants to make up for dry spells.

Another way to give your garden a little boost is through the use of fertilizer. The right kind of fertilizer will provide your plants with a hefty dosage of nutrients that promote healthy growth. But not all plants need the same nutrients, so it’s important to match the fertilizer you use to the type of garden you’re trying to grow.

Home improvement expert Vicki Liston recommends conducting a soil test before purchasing your fertilizer. “Simply dumping nutrients onto a patch of land and crossing your fingers is like playing darts drunk and blindfolded — there’s a high likelihood the pointy end won’t be close to the bullseye,” says Liston, host of “On The Fly…DIY,” an award-winning show with fun project tutorials. “Most county extension centers will conduct low to no-cost soil tests that tell you the pH and nutrient levels. You can also purchase a test kit for yourself.”

Many pet owners have concerns about their furry friends ingesting fertilizer in the days following application. Although the nutrients in fertilizers are generally safe for animal consumption, your pet could get sick if your chosen fertilizer has insecticide as part of the formula. The most dangerous types of insecticides have been reduced by EPA regulations, but it’s always a good idea to keep your pets away from fertilized areas.

One major factor differentiating various fertilizers is their application. Some fertilizers come in traditional bagged form, which means you scoop the contents out and settle them into the desired area. There are also spray fertilizers, giving you a bottle you use to spray every week or two. There are also fertilizer stakes, filled with the desired nutrients that autorelease intermittently.

Buying fertilizer to help save dying plants may not be a good idea. Fertilizers will work only if the reason your plants aren’t growing is that they aren’t getting enough nutrients. Your plants may also be exposed to the wrong amount of sunlight or water, or it could simply be that your garden is too close to tree roots that are competing for growth in the same space.

Organic fertilizers have become a popular option in recent years. These fertilizers eliminate chemicals and odors for a safer way to promote plant growth. You’ll find organic fertilizers are made from natural ingredients like insect excrement, while inorganic fertilizers are manmade.

MORE: Need a raised garden bed? Amazon’s got them on sale

• Nutrients are probably the first thing to look at when choosing a fertilizer. Some options use earthworm castings that are absorbed in two different forms: one immediate and one in a time-release method that continues to provide nutrition. The water-soluble nutrients in this fertilizer are richer than they were when the earthworms ingested them, putting it among the best plant food you’ll find.
• After you’ve completed the soil test mentioned in our Buying Guide, look for a fertilizer that replenishes the nutrients your soil is lacking. “Garden fertilizers will show you the percentage of a nutrient on the bag, always in the same order,” says gardening pro Liston. “First nitrogen, then phosphorus, then potassium. For example, a 100-pound bag with the numbers 10-20-10 is telling you that it has 10% nitrogen, 20% phosphorus and 10% potassium.” Shop accordingly for a fertilizer that has your garden in mind.
• Some companies make fertilizer spikes for specific plants or veggies.
• Osmocote Plus Smart-Release Plant Food brings 11 different essential nutrients to your plants. The coating on the granules allows water to make its way in, dissolving the nutrients to allow them to seep into the soil.
• Organic fertilizers that contain castings are filled with plenty of healthy bacteria, which boosts plant growth.
• In addition to the nutrients they provide, the castings from earthworms improve soil structure, which helps the roots of your plants will grow faster. The material in the castings has the ability to absorb just the amount of water the plant roots need.
• As convenient as it would be for all fertilizer to promote every type of garden or plant, it simply doesn’t work that way. Organic worm-based fertilizers work for both vegetable crops and plants, including flowers. Osmocote Plus Smart-Release Plant Food is versatile, working for both indoor and outdoor plants.
• Even if you enjoy gardening, chances are you want a fertilizer that makes your job easier. Fertilizer spikes are one of the simplest methods. Traditional soil-based fertilizer require you to scoop them into place. Other come with sprayers, providing your garden with nutrients in just a few spritzes.
• Some spikes don’t do as well once they’ve been dampened above ground. That means you’ll need to keep them in the sealed bag and store them in a dry place until you’re ready to use them.
• If you’re in a hurry, you may want to steer toward fertilizers that go to work immediately. Time-release fertilizer means they take a little longer to start working. They continue feeding for eight weeks, though.
• The no-burn formulation of Osmocote Plus Smart-Release Plant Food means it’s safe to use on your plants even during those blazing hot summer months.
• Your own safety is also important. Nontoxic and odor-free fertilizers will give you a worry-free gardening experience.