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Because gardening is part science, making sure you have the right mix of nutrients for your plants is vital to your garden’s success. Whether you choose to garden organically or traditionally, fertilizers add desirable nutrients to the soil. Understanding what the numbers on the fertilizer package mean will help ensure your plants receive the proper balance they require.
Properly balancing the use of chemicals in your garden to fight pest is important also. You may choose only organic pest control methods, using botanical insecticides, or opt for synthetic pesticides.
Check out the information below, as well as the Q & A Section, to find out more about fertilizers and chemicals.
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Store Lawn & Garden Chemicals Safely
If you happened to find yourself in my garden shed years ago, it would look a lot different than it does today. Back then, the shelves were a storehouse for every pesticide, herbicide, fungicide and fertilizer a gardener like me, in pursuit of the perfect landscape, would have on hand to handle any real or potential problem.
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Dispose of Chemicals Safely
I’ve managed to do a pretty good job over the years eliminating chemicals from my garden shed. Yet in spite of my best efforts, they tend to keep showing up. I’ve accumulated pesticide containers from a prior gardening life, inherited my dad’s collection when they moved from a home to an apartment (so that I could dispose of them properly) and even uncovered a stockpile after moving into our current home.
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Organic Pest Controls
Organic pest control methods are generally less environmentally damaging and toxic. Whenever possible, you should use the least toxic method first. There are some very effective natural pest control treatments available. The good news is, with the proper preparation and cultural practices, rarely if ever will you need to get beyond the first few levels of defense.
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Integrated Pest Management
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach to pest control that uses a combination of treatments. The idea is to start with the least toxic steps first. By identifying a pest and understanding it’s life cycle and habits, non-chemical, preventative strategies can effectively be used in the initial stages with good results.
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The Numbers on Fertilizer Labels, What They Mean
Whenever you see a fertilizer product, it will have three numbers prominently listed somewhere on the package, usually on the front. These numbers are very important and tell you a great deal about what this fertilizer will do.
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Additional Articles |
Botanical Insecticides
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Healthy soil, rich in organic matter may be all that is required to provide the nutrients required for a plant to complete it’s life cycle, eliminating the need to add fertilizers and chemicals.
Adding organic fertilizers to your soil, can provide the same nutritional benefits for your plants, with the added bonus of improving the long term quality of your soil.
A soil test is the best way to learn what nutrient deficiencies may need to be addressed in your soil. A complete analysis can be obtained through your local county extension service, and the test only cost a few dollars.