Fertilizers provide nutrients which plants need to do well.
In Colorado, nitrogen and phosphorus are the most important nutrients not present in sufficient amounts in the soil. Potassium, a third major nutrient, is usually adequate in our soils.
Plants need nitrogen for greening and growth; they need phosphorus for roots, flower, and fruit production. The three numbers on every fertilizer package tell what percent of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium--in that order--the package contains. For example, a fertilizer labeled 5-10-2 contains 5% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, and 2% potassium. Different types of fertilizer have different release times and different uses. Slow-release fertilizers contain nutrients that become available to the plant gradually through the season. Read the manufacturer's label BEFORE purchasing, and do not exceed the package recommendations when using.
To determine how much fertilizer to buy and apply: Divide the number of pounds of nitrogen you want to apply by the percent of nitrogen in the package. For example, a fertilizer with a 20-10-5 ratio, is 20% nitrogen. If you want to apply one pound of nitrogen to 1,000 square feet of lawn, one pound nitrogen divided by .20 (20%)equals five pounds of fertilizer to be applied to 1,000 square feet.
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