A living specimen
Tell it what you’re growing, pick a feed, or mix your own. Watch the plant respond.
Choose a feed
The three label numbers are how a bag is rated for nitrogen, phosphate and potash — the figures every feed carries.
Pick what you’re growing and we’ll suggest a feed and a feeding strength.
Measure for your beds
Using the feed you chose above. Set your plot and how generously you’re feeding.
Your plot
Roughly the patch you’re feeding — a border, a raised bed, a corner.
What it costs
Optional — enter your bag to see cost per feeding and bags per season.
Per feeding, scatter and water in
about 0.6 cups — roughly 2 handfuls
Rates follow the standard 0.5 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft. Always check your product’s bag, as concentrations vary.
What the three numbers mean
Every fertilizer is a recipe of these three. Knowing the job of each is the whole trick.
Drives lush, green growth. Reach for it early in the season to fill out hedges, foliage and leafy crops. Too much, though, and you’ll get leaves at the expense of flowers.
Supports strong root development and the energy transfer behind flowering and fruiting. Most welcome at planting time — many soils already hold plenty, so a soil test is wise before piling it on.
The all-rounder. Strengthens stems, helps plants cope with drought and weather, and improves disease resistance and the quality of fruit.