Basic Nutrients

Plants need a balance of nutrients for healthy growth. Fertilizers, or complete plant foods, contain all of the basic nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These nutrients are listed on packaged plant foods in percentages of N-P-K. The following organic materials, when added to soil, supply specific nutrients needed by plants:

Nitrogen (N) Sources (for leaf and stem growth):

• Alfalfa meal
• Blood meal
• Composted manure
• Cottonseed meal
• Feather meal
• Fish meal or emulsion
• Mushroom compost
• Rice hulls

Phosphorus (P) Sources (for root growth, flower color, and disease resistance):

• Bat guano
• Bonemeal
• Rock phosphate

Potassium (K) Sources (for fruit and seed production):

• Dolomite lime
• Greensand
• Kelp meal
• Oyster-shell lime
• Rock dust
• Seaweed
• Wood ashes