With each lengthening day of June leading to the summer solstice, the garden shifts from spring’s freshness to summer’s fullness. Plants are ramping up their production, making it the perfect time to layer in compost for long-term soil health and add a dose of fertilizer to fuel vigorous summer growth. Gardeners often ask me what type of fertilizer is best, so I’m giving a rundown of what to look for when purchasing.
The numbers such as 10-10-10 on a bag of fertilizer refer to the N-P-K ratio. It stands for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—the three primary nutrients a plant needs to grow. The actual numbers represent the percentage of each element by weight, helping you choose the right blend for your garden’s needs.
To remember what each nutrient does, think of the N-P-K ratio as:
• N = Nitrogen → Green Growth
• P = Phosphorus → Roots and Blooms
• K = Potassium → Health and Hardiness
These three key nutrients work together to support your plant from top to bottom—lush leaves, strong roots, and overall resilience. That being said, the most common deficiency in gardens is nitrogen. It’s quickly used up by plants because it’s essential for leafy growth, but it can also leach out of the soil during periods of heavy rain. When I’m choosing a fertilizer, nitrogen is the number I pay the most attention to, especially during the high-growth months of summer.
Feather meal is my go-to option for a high-nitrogen organic fertilizer that supports leafy growth without overwhelming the plant. Another way to build nitrogen naturally is by growing legumes like beans, peas, clover, or vetch. These plants work with soil bacteria to “fix” nitrogen from the air and store it in their root systems. Once the plant dies back or is turned into the soil, it enriches the earth for future crops.
I’m also asked why organic fertilizer is better when chemical fertilizers often provide faster results. Sure, chemical fertilizers give rapid progress—but think of them like an energy drink: a quick boost that’s short-lived. Organic fertilizers are more like a nourishing smoothie: slower to kick in, but with lasting benefits. They not only feed your plants but also support the soil’s living ecosystem—beneficial microbes, fungi, and worms that all contribute to long-term garden health.
As a gardener, I consider myself a steward of the earth. I’m not just growing food or flowers—I’m protecting pollinators, building healthy soil, and ultimately working to leave the land better than I found it.
For those who would enjoy taking a deeper dive into soil health, I highly recommend the book Soil Science for Gardeners by Robert Pavlis. It offers a fascinating look beneath the surface and will likely change how you see and tend your garden.
Happy Gardening!