Contrary to popular belief, not all fertilizers are created the same. Mike Straumietis, the founder and CEO of Advanced Nutrients, shares that fertilizer companies put different minerals and vitamins in their products. Some brands use high-quality ingredients. However, others replace essential nutrients with filler ingredients to cut production costs.
Unfortunately, many newbie gardeners and farmers can’t tell the difference yet. They blindly opt for the cheapest fertilizer brands thinking these would maximize their profits, only to be disappointed with the results. Dumping heaps of fertilizer on your lawn won’t help your crops.
To get the best fertilizers, make sure you:
Read Up on Various Nutrients
Mike Straumietis encourages gardeners and farmers to familiarize themselves with the most common plant growth nutrients. Extensive knowledge of plant feeding will help you find the perfect fertilizer.
Pro Tip:Use a nutrient calculator. It’ll tell you the most crucial nutrients to look for in your fertilizers based on your crops.</p>
Go Beyond Branding
Never buy fertilizers solely based on brand reputation. Research the company and its products, look for long-term reviews, and test products in small batches. Otherwise, you might end up with several sacks of fertilizers that provide zero nourishment.
Consider Making Your Own Fertilizer
Only use commercial fertilizer to supplement plant growth. You can make a nutrient-dense, organic fertilizer using food scraps, fallen leaves, animal manure, and weed trimmings.
Pro Tip:With fertilizer prices at an all-time high, you’d save a lot of money by making compost yourself.Compost is just decomposed organic matter, and it’s a great natural fertilizer for your plants. You can make compost from kitchen scraps, leaves, and grass clippings. Simply collect your organic waste in a bin or bag, and add it to your compost pile when it’s full. The compost will break down over time, and you can use it to fertilize your garden beds. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also be helping the environment by reducing your waste. </p>
Making Accurate Feeding Plant Feeding Systems
Overall, Mike Straumietis encourages farmers to explore the different fertilizers on the market. Just as different people have different nutritional needs, so do plants. While some plants are content with the most basic growing fertilizer, others require something a bit more robust to reach their full potential. Before you can choose the right fertilizer for your plants, you need to assess their individual needs. A good way to do this is by using a nutrient calculator. This will help you to identify which nutrients are most important for plant growth. When in doubt, you can always consult other farmers and gardeners. Gather first-hand insights into your prospective fertilizers; ask if they yield excellent long-term results. That way, you won’t waste months exploring poorly made fertilizers.
