Fertilizer is a topic that comes up often. I get a lot of questions about it, and it's a key part of our gardening. It's also a complex but really fun part of growing your own food & flowers. There's a lot of information out there, and it can all get a bit confusing.
0:29 Intro
Whether you're new to gardening or have been around for a while, it can be a little tricky to know WHAT fertilizer to use and WHEN to use it. Unfortunately, there's no perfect answer because every garden is different.
Think of yourself like a doctor. It's your job to read the signs your plants give you and figure out how to help them thrive. Here are some big-picture ideas to guide you.
1:15 Compost Tea - sandiegoseedcompany.com/produ...
Compost tea isn't technically a fertilizer. You can think of it as giving your plants a probiotic. Compost tea is a liquid product that has been steeped in compost, so it's full of microbiology.
I really like using it, especially in pots or raised beds. The main reason is that your space's microbiology is limited to that space and what you filled it up with. All of the little microorganisms help break down and convert mass into nutrients that your plants can actually use.
Compost tea - or extract - is a great product to use for peppers and tomatoes as well, whether they're in the ground or in pots. Any plants will benefit from it, and this particular product was made to help you have big tomatoes.
You can make your own compost tea, but when I have a million other things going on, it's easier to use this, and I know it's high quality. You can always use this in addition to your own compost tea. You can't overdo it with this stuff!
3:56 Organic Fish Fertilizer - sandiegoseedcompany.com/produ...
I've been using liquid fish fertilizer for more than 10 years, and it continues to be my go-to for a variety of reasons.
It's not a chemical fertilizer that could burn your plants. It's a natural byproduct made up of ground-up fish, so it does have a smell to it. Something that would otherwise go to waste gets to be used to help support our food system. We've tried a ton of fish fertilizers over the years, and this is the least smelly.
It's low in its NPK numbers. This one serves up 2 Nitrogen, 4 Phosphorous, and 1 Potassium. That means it's safe to use with seedlings, and they will absorb nutrients both through the soil as well as through their leaves. We use it every time we water our seedlings in their trays and dilute a little extra. Because it's water soluble, I can fertilize and irrigate at the same time - fertigating!
6:27 Dry Fertilizer - sandiegoseedcompany.com/produ...
Granular fertilizers provide a slow release of nutrients. This powder is great to mix into the soil at the start of a season. This is another great product made from natural ingredients that will break down over time, and I love this particular one because it comes from Arizona.
Dry fertilizer is best used on established plants or when you're turning over a bed for the next upcoming season because it's going to take time to break down.
Granular fertilizer comes in powder form, so you want to consider how it's going to be most effective. For example, you can add a small amount into a hole before you set your plant in the ground. You do want the fertilizer to be in contact with your plants' roots.
8:23 Tomato, Vegetable & Herb Spray Fertilizer - sandiegoseedcompany.com/produ...
I love this little bottle because it's so easy to use, making it a great option for new gardeners. All you need to do is give your plant a pump. It's also pretty low at 3-2-2 so you aren't going to go overboard.
This is a good option for indoor plants because it doesn't smell. Of course, it's great for any and all plants.
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