Whether you’re new to gardening or a seasoned enthusiast, you’re probably accustomed to adding a layer of fertilizer to your garden several times throughout the year. However, even the most experienced gardeners may not know why this step is important. Take a look at some of the leading reasons to make this step a part of your seasonal gardening routine.

Why a Garden Needs Fertilizer

Plants require a steady supply of nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus to grow healthy and strong. Over time, soil tends to lose nutrients due to plant regrowth and erosion. As a result, new plants can struggle to grow, which is why many gardeners use fertilizers enriched with key nutrients. Supplementing naturally occurring nutrient levels will allow flowers, vegetables, fruits, and plants to thrive with minimal effort.

Unlike animals, most plants do not have adaptive immune systems. However, healthy plants are more resistant to disease and can defend themselves from pathogens and pests provided they have enough sunlight, water, and sufficient levels of nutrients. For example, a well-fertilized plant will have a tougher stem and leaves, making it more resistant to pest activity, and it can recover from injury and infection more quickly.

When to Fertilize

If you’re growing vegetables, mix fertilizer into the soil in the early spring before planting. Long-growth plants like corn may need only a small amount to help them sprout, with occasional top-ups before the summer harvest. Leafy greens like lettuce and cabbage typically benefit from pre-fertilization at the very beginning of spring or even at the end of winter.

Perennial flowering plants should be fertilized before they sprout in the spring. Try to fertilize after the last predicted frost has passed to protect fragile young sprouts from dying in early spring cold snaps.

When you need high-quality fertilizers to help your garden flourish this spring, turn to Bolivar Farmers Exchange. The company has served Polk County, MO, gardeners for over a century, and they offer an extensive range of products specially formulated to help plants grow lush, strong, and healthy throughout the year. Call (417) 326-5231 to place an order or discuss your needs, and visit them online to learn more about their products.