Gardeners want their plants to thrive - and sometimes it leads to them making mistakes with the best intentions.
Fertilizers can be extremely useful, but you need to know how to use them correctly - or else you can just damage your plants.
Here are a few things that lots of gardeners do wrong.
Too much is too much
Giving plants too much fertilizer can actually harm them. It's like overeating; too many nutrients can "overload" the plants, making them sick.
Instructions are needed
Each type of plant fertilizer has specific instructions on how to use it. Not following these instructions can lead to problems.
Use the right type
Different plants need different types of fertilizer. Using the wrong kind might not provide the nutrients your plants need.
Timing matters a lot
Fertilizing at the wrong time can be harmful. For example, fertilizing in the winter when plants are dormant doesn't help them.
Soil health matters
Fertilizer can't fix poor soil. If your soil lacks essential nutrients, it's better to improve the soil first before adding fertilizer.
Don't fertilize the leaves
Fertilizer on plant leaves can burn them. It's better to apply fertilizer to the soil.
You need to water plants after feeding them
Water helps plants absorb the fertilizer. If you don't water after fertilizing, the nutrients might not reach the plant roots.
Old fertilizers can do harm
Fertilizer can expire or lose its effectiveness over time. Using old fertilizer might not help your plants.
Conclusion
Like always, balance is a must - so make sure you read all instructions carefully and make everything correctly to benefit your garden.
