At Wasson, we believe gardening is more than planting pretty things; it’s nurturing life from the ground up. And just like us, plants can’t thrive on water and sunshine alone. They need food! But plant “food” isn’t always intuitive.
Let’s demystify how to keep your garden thriving with the right balance of macro and micronutrients, and why now is the perfect time to feed.
MACRO & MICRONUTRIENTS: THE PLANT DIET EXPLAINED
When you pick up fertilizer marked with numbers like 20-10-20, you’re looking at the big three macronutrients every plant needs:
- Nitrogen (first number): Think up. Nitrogen fuels lush green growth above ground. It’s why it’s a star ingredient in lawn fertilizers.
- Phosphorus (second number): Think down. Phosphorus promotes root development below ground and supports flowers and fruit production. (Biotone starter, for instance, is high in phosphorus to help new transplants get settled.)
- Potassium (third number): Think all around. Potassium acts like a plant multivitamin, boosting overall health and resilience.
While all plants rely on these core nutrients, different species have unique needs.
But macronutrients aren’t the whole story. Plants also crave an array of micronutrients, elements they need in smaller doses but that play mighty roles in plant health. Look for these details on the fertilizer label, often listed like a nutritional label beneath the main numbers.
Take tomatoes and peppers: they’re famously calcium-hungry, so specialized fertilizers like Tomato-tone or Espoma’s Tomato! liquid include extra calcium to help avoid issues like blossom end-rot. Organic fertilizers naturally carry a broader spectrum of these micronutrients, feeding both plants and soil life for better long-term health.
ORGANIC VS. SYNTHETIC: CHOOSING THE RIGHT FERTILIZER
Both organic and synthetic fertilizers have their place; it’s about what your plants need and how quickly they need it.
Organic fertilizers (like Espoma and We The Wild lines):
- Tend to be lower in nutrient strength, reducing the chance of burning your plants if you accidentally over-apply.
- Often contain more micronutrients for a well-rounded “diet.”
- Release nutrients slowly, feeding plants over time and improving soil health along the way. Think of organic fertilizers as a balanced diet for your plants AND for the soil ecosystem they live in.
Synthetic fertilizers (like our free liquid fertilizer and Bonide products):
- Pack a punch with higher concentrations of nutrients, delivering faster results.
- Typically focus more on macronutrients, with fewer micronutrients included.
- Act quickly, perfect for plants in distress that need an immediate nutrient boost; a big like an IV drip for a patient who’s crashing.
Used correctly, synthetics can help remedy urgent issues, while organics keep plants steadily nourished for the long haul.
WHY FERTILIZE NOW?
Summer heat often gets the blame for gardens looking worn out. But here’s the real scoop: your plants are in their growth Olympics right now. They’re flowering, fruiting, and stretching new stems, just like teenagers hitting growth spurts. And all of that energy demands fuel.
Many plants arrive from growers who’ve timed fertilizers perfectly to sustain them until they leave the nursery. Once they’re home, it’s up to you to keep the feeding cycle going.
When gardeners throw in the towel mid-summer, it’s usually not the heat alone; it’s that the plants are starving. Your neighbor with the always-gorgeous garden? They’re likely fertilizing regularly, giving plants the nutrients they need to stay vibrant.
Beyond growth, there’s protection to consider. Insects, disease, and fungi are part of nature’s web. Healthy, well-fed plants are far more likely to fend off pests and bounce back from stress than plants left undernourished.
FEED FOR SUCCESS
Gardening success isn’t about luck–it’s about knowledge and consistency. At Wasson, we’re here to help you feed your plants the way they deserve, so your garden stays as stunning in August as it was in May. Stop in and chat with our Garden Specialists, and we’ll help you choose the perfect fertilizer to keep your plants thriving!
Because all plants need food, just like we do.
