Fertilizer provides your grass, plants, and flowers with essential nutrients that stimulate root system growth and result in lush, beautiful greenery and healthy crops. It typically contains three main macronutrients and may feature limited amounts of others. Learning about the key macronutrients and how they benefit your lawn and gardens will help you apply the right products at the right time of year.

4 Fertilizer Macronutrients You Need To Know About

1. Nitrogen

Nitrogen contributes to quick and healthy plant, grass, and vegetable growth. Plants absorb nitrogen more than any other element on the periodic table and synthesize its proteins for optimal seed and leaf development. Nitrogen also gives plants their lustrous hues. Keep in mind that it can cause overgrowth when too much is applied, resulting in weakened plants and lawns. This macronutrient can also burn leaves and grass blades, so apply it after soil testing based on what your plants and lawn needs.

2. Phosphorus

Plants require phosphorus for photosynthesis, or their ability to utilize and store energy. Phosphorus also contributes to strong root systems that can resist rot, as well as the creation of seeds, fruits, and flowers. Apply the fertilizer at the roots of plants for best results because soil alone cannot absorb it. Sandy soils have particularly difficult times absorbing phosphorus. 

3. Potassium

Potassium is the final element of the “big three” fertilizer macronutrients. It fortifies root systems to make plants disease-resistant while stimulating early growth. Potassium is arguably the most important element for crop yield because lack of nutrients causes stunted growth problems.

4. Sulfur

Among the secondary macronutrients, sulfur encourages plant protein and enzyme formation. Sulfur contributes to chlorophyll production, or the nutrients plants need for photosynthesis and subsequently production of sugars, oils, starches, and fats. It also has conditioning benefits because it reduces the sodium in soil.

Purchase fertilizer at Bolivar Farmers Exchange to encourage a healthy crop yield this growing season. The agriculture company provides gardeners and farmers throughout Bolivar, MO, and the surrounding areas with lawn and garden supplies, and has specialized in affordable prices and friendly service since 1920. Call (417) 326-2664 today to speak to a representative about product questions.