Fertilizer by the Numbers

When you buy fertilizer, do you know exactly what you’re buying without having to ask someone or pick the container up and read through all that print? If not, there are two great ways of determining it. One way is already there for you, in the form of those three numbers that always appear. They tell you everything you need to know at a glance. 

Trouble is, many people, even though they may know what the numbers stand for, aren’t sure exactly what the product will do, and ultimately seek out the advice of an employee or begin reading the often-heavy bag. Here’s how to decipher the numbers, know what they mean, and a very easy way of remembering what they do. 

The three numbers indicate, in order, the relative amount by weight, of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the container, and they’re abbreviated N, P, and K respectively. But what if you’re not sure whether you want nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, or all three? All you have to do is remember three words: green, flowers, hardy. Say it over a few times, and you’ll remember it. Green, flowers, hardy – green, flowers, hardy. Not out loud, though, or someone might look at you a little strange. That’s what those numbers are telling you. And they’re always in that order, on every container of fertilizer, from every manufacturer. Now here’s precisely what nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium will accomplish. 

Nitrogen (N) promotes leafy, green growth that leads to a healthy lawn, beautiful shade tree, or a thick, lush hedge. If you want a quick green-up for your lawn, think back to green, flowers, hardy. Green comes first. So you want a fertilizer with a higher first number, such as 28-4-8. This type of fertilizer will do the trick, since it contains 28% nitrogen.