The term 5-10-30 can be confusing for a lot of gardeners. What does it mean? When do you use it and how do you apply it? The answer to these questions is easier than one might think when you know the basics. Fertilizers are designed to provide specific nutrients to plants, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium. A fertilizer that has an equal amount of each nutrient (5% nitrogen, 10% phosphorous, and 30% potassium) will have the same percentage of overall nutrients in terms of pounds per thousand square feet as any other 50:50 ratio fertilizer with different percentages for each nutrient – 20:20:10 also equals 50%.
What Does 5-10-30 Fertilizer Mean?
The numbers refer to the percentage of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K) in the fertilizer. The first number in the chemical formula tells you how many molecules of that material are in the compound. For example, “fifty” or “five.” This promotes leaf growth. Higher-numbered pounds per thousand square feet mean a higher concentration of phosphorus and/or potassium.
So what does this mean? This formula indicates that five percent of your plant’s nutrients would come from nitrates, ten percent from phosphate rock minerals, and thirty percent from potash ore minerals. Nitrate fertilizers are formulated with ammonium ions as well as other forms such as calcium ammonite sulfate ion combinations depending on weather conditions specific to each location.
What is 5-10-30 Fertilizer Good for?
- Trees and other woody plants with high nitrogen needs.
- Growers who want to get their trees off to a good start in the spring before they leaf out so that there are plenty of new, green leaves for photosynthesis in the summertime when it’s hot.
- To replace nutrients lost by leaching or as plant material is broken down. For example, if you’re planting on sandy soils where water drains quickly and does not allow fertilizer time to be absorbed into the soil profile, use this type of fertilizer at transplanting time to give your tree all the essential minerals from the beginning instead of waiting until fall (when most fertilizers are broadcast).
Best 5-10-30 Fertilizer
Turf Builder Scotts® Plus Iron Fertilizer – 16 Ounce. This fertilizer is easy to spread and comes in a bag that makes it easier to dispense the correct amount of product without waste or spillage. It’s also great because there are no visible chunks, so you don’t have clumps of unused fertilizer taking up space in your yard.
Scotts Turf Builder Organic Choice Granular Starter Kit, 18 lb.: For busy homeowners who may not be able to water their lawn regularly, this starter kit will deliver quick results and ensure optimal plant growth with its organic formulation made from natural ingredients like earthworm castings and compost tea extracts.
