We’ve all seen fertilizer as a recommended care instruction on the tags of the plants and flowers we bring home. However, it tends to be an overlooked measure for keeping our plants alive and thriving. We wanted to dig a little deeper into what fertilizer is, how it works and the different types that we carry here at Anna’s!
So, what is fertilizer? It is a chemical or natural substance that is added to soil or land to increase its fertility. Think of fertilizer as food for your plants- as they require essential nutrients just like we do, only their source needs to be found in their soil to survive and grow. Soil naturally contains nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and potassium. These nutrients are what helps make your plants grow. When soil nutrients are missing or in short supply, plants will suffer from nutrient deficiency and stop growing.
Fertilizer assists in replenishing these nutrients. All fertilizer packaging contains three bold numbers, the first number being the amount of Nitrogen (N), the second number being the amount of Phosphate (P), and the third number being the amount of Potassium (K) – the three main “food groups” for a plant.
A handy garden tip to understand the purpose behind each component is “up, down, and all-around”. Meaning Nitrogen, the first element listed will assist with plant growth above the ground- think green leafy foliage, or lush lawns. Phosphorous is known to be effective at establishing growth below ground- strong, healthy root systems. Phosphorous, the second number is also responsible for blooms and fruit production. Most starter fertilizers will contain a higher second number. Potassium, the third number assists in overall plant health as it will help build strong cells within the plant tissue. Helping to withstand extreme weather conditions, pests or diseases- we think of it as assisting the immune system of the plant.
So there you have it, the next time you are standing in front of shelves upon shelves of fertilizer to choose from- you should have a better idea of what you are looking at and looking for!
Fertilizers Available at Anna’s Garden, Home & Wellness:
Jack’s Classic All Purpose 20-20-20: Our “go-to” fertilizer!
All-Purpose 20-20-20 is considered the industry standard of general-purpose fertilizers by professional growers. It feeds both through the roots and the leaves. This formula of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium provides fast green-up and rapid leaf expansion. Recommended for use on all your indoor and outdoor plants. Indoors it is especially effective on foliage plants, keeping leaves green. A proven performer in the vegetable garden for generations, this product may be used in combination with Jack’s Classic Blossom Booster giving your plants greener leaves, more flowers and brighter colours.
2-2-2 Organic Fertilizer: Fish Rich
- For the edible garden
- Will not burn roots or leaves
- Increases garden and flower blooms and stimulates growth
- Supplements nutrients supply in the soil
- Improves seed germination and root maturity
- Maintains plant’s natural vitamins during hydrolysis
Fish Rich Organic Fertilizer is a high-quality liquid fertilizer that can be used on a variety of ornamental plants and food crops. It is produced from premium yellow perch fish that are raised in a tightly controlled indoor environment. The Bell Aquaculture Yellow Perch are free from antibiotics, hormones, and other man-made contaminants. This translates to growing crops that are safe for your entire family to eat. In addition, the 2-2-2 composition enables the fertilizer to work well with not only a variety of fruits and vegetables but household plants, trees and much more.
Directions for use: Fish Rich liquid fertilizer must be mixed with water before applying. Instructions for application type stated on packaging.
Acti-Soil
Effective and natural fertilizers made from hen manure or marine nutrients. No potting soil, compost, sewage sludge, or synthetic products. We have three different varieties to choose from based on your planting needs:
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Plant Starter/Transplant: 4-10-2
- Composted of hen manure and bone meal
- Ideal for planting perennials, shrubs, bulbs, seeding or sodding lawns
- Enhances root development
- Adds organic matter
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Tomatoes & Vegetables: 4-6-8
- Composted of hen manure, feather meal and natural potash
- Ideal for vegetable gardens; increasing the plant’s resistance to diseases and water stress
- Prevents tomato rot
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Pure Hen Manure: 5-3-2
- 100% Chicken Manure: dehydrated and granulated
- Garden, vegetable garden, trees, shrubs and conifers, flowers, flowerbeds, bulbs and grass.
- Rich in Calcium: Essential element for the development of plant cells and their growth.
- Contains a repellent effect on squirrels fond of bulbs.
Directions for use: Acti-Sol fertilizer application instructions available both online http://acti-sol.ca/ and on the packaging.
Jocelyn’s Soil Booster: Worm Manure
This all-natural soil amendment feeds healthy natural microbes to your soil, which rebuild soil structure and immediately start delivering nutrients to your plants’ roots, creating a positive feedback loop that supports vibrant growth all season long. Jocelyn’s Soil Booster Worm Manure kick-starts soil ecosystems so that Mother Nature helps you grow fruits and vegetables that are healthier, hardier, and more nutritious than those grown with without
The worm castings in Jocelyn’s Soil Booster Worm Manure act as a sponge to hold water and regulate moisture levels in the soil, making it a great addition to your regular plant care routine.
Jocelyn’s Soil Booster Worm Manure is…
- a regenerative growing tool, restoring the health of your soil and acting as a carbon sink
- not just great for your plants, it’s also a climate-change fighter!
- from red wiggle worms, the premium composting worm, so it only takes a very small amount to inoculate with all the diverse biology that healthy soil requires.
- a product that can be used at any point in the growing cycle, from seed starting, through to potting up, transplanting and top dressing and we guarantee you will see beneficial results in two weeks or less when using this product.
Botankia Fertilizers
Flowering Plants: 15-30-15: The perfect fertilizer if your plants are failing to bloom, this bloom booster packed with extra phosphorus should do the trick!
All Purpose: 20-20-20: An easy-to-use water soluble fertilizer, this fertilizer is good to use as a general fertilizer for a variety of different plants.
Transplanter Food: 10-52-10: This specially formulated fertilizer can be used in the transplant of both indoor and outdoor plants. It helps plants thrive by reducing transplant shock and encouraging root growth.
Tropical Specialty Fertilizers: BGI & Schultz
Schultz Cactus Food:2-7-7: Feeds through the roots and is good for all cacti, jade, aloe and other succulents.
Schultz Orchid Food: 15-5-5: Excellent for all varieties of Orchids. Contains Manganese (0.05%), Zinc (0.05%), Copper (0.05%), Boron (0.02%), EDTA (1.25%).
OrganiGAIN All Purpose Organic Plant Food: 4-6-4: gives gardeners a conscientious option for strong, beautiful plants. Ingredients like Calcium and Phosphorous allow for instantly available nutrition, while others like Nitrogen deliver slow release nutrients over time to keep your plant showroom ready, year-round! Trust this combination of all-purpose, slow-release nutrients and organic substances to feed vegetables, flowering plants, shrubs and potted plants.
PalmGAIN Plant Food: 8-2-12: Palm tree fertilizer plays a large part in the overall health of your tropical paradise. Palms, ferns, cycads, ixora, and ornamental plants need ample amounts of nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, iron, sulphur, and other micronutrients to produce lush green growth, vibrant colours and to maintain deep green foliage.
BouGAIN Plant Food: 6-8-10: formulated to dramatically increase blooms, it addresses the bougainvillea’s Achilles heel – their thin and brittle root system. Ten years of research and testing led to perfecting our specialty plant food that dramatically increases blooms, strengthens roots, increases colour vibrancy in both foliage and bracts, and produces an all-over healthy bougainvillea.
CitrusGAIN Plant Food: 8-3-9: Developed by commercial citrus growers in Indian River County, Florida this plant food is the easiest way to ensure citrus like orange, lemon, lime, and other fruit trees and plants have the meaningful elements required for vigorous growth. Precise amounts of nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, sulphur and other macronutrients and micronutrients help produce strong growth, high yield, larger fruit size and better juice quality. Ideal for use on citrus, avocado, mango, peach, pecan, apple, grape, blackberry, raspberry and other fruit trees and vines.
Nutrite Granular Plant Food
Perennial & Annual Food: 8-10-10: Organic based granular plant food to help foster colourful blooms.
Tree, Shrub & Cedar Plant Food: 30-10-10: Water-soluble plant food packed with micronutrients to help your trees, shrubs and cedars thrive!
GreenFlag: Acid-Loving Plant Fertilizer: 14-8-14:
For blueberries, hydrangeas and all acid-loving plants fertilizer. This acidifying formula helps preserve a low pH soil level necessary for acid-loving plants. Contains 2.0% magnesium (Mg)
