When you talk about fertilizer, the first thing that comes to mind is nitrogen. Nitrogen is used to promote fast growth and early flowering in plants. But what if I told you there was another type of fertilizer that provides all three major nutrients? 5-20-20 fertilizers do just this! This article will tell you everything you need to know about 5-20-20 Fertilizer, including when and how much it should be applied.
What Does 5-20-20 Fertilizer Mean?
Fertilizer typically has three numbers in its name. Each number represents an amount of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P2O5), and potassium (K2O) available in the fertilizer: 5% nitrogen, 20% phosphorus, and 20% potassium.
This ratio tells you how much nutrient content your soil will get from applying that fertilizer at recommended rates.
What is 5-20-20 Fertilizer Good for?
Fertilizing your soil with 5-20-20 is good for all types of plants because it provides a well-rounded nutrient profile.
The product can be used on almost any type of soil so if you are growing your garden in the ground or even containers it will still benefit you immensely. It is also great for flower beds and has many benefits with different types of plants that you may have around your yard, including trees as well.
- Nitrogen promotes the lush green foliage of your plant while also stimulating new flower blooms or fruit production;
- Phosphorous is a great source of energy for root development and helps improve the overall health of your plant;
- Potassium helps aid plant immunity to disease, cold weather, and even drought conditions.
When to Use It?
It can be used at any time during the growing season but is most commonly applied in spring or fall to promote crop growth and improve yields.
5-20-20 Fertilizer Benefits
- Aids in the repair of damaged land – helps revitalize lawns and overworked soil.
- Help grow healthy fast-growing grasses for new lawns.
- Gives a boost to existing plantings, stimulating growth and color where they are most needed.
How to use 5-20-20 fertilizer
To use it most effectively, choose a sunny day when it’s not too windy outside so that you can safely place your granules around the base of your plantings without blowing them away before they sink into the soil. If possible, water first to moisten up both the ground and roots for better fertilizer absorption.
Liquid fertilizer can be added to a hose-end sprayer and used to water the soil around your plantings.
Use it sparingly, since too much can burn plants – pour slowly along the base of trees or shrubs until you see granules appear at their drip line (the area where rainwater would naturally flow from them).
Afterward, lightly rake in any excess fertilizer that remains on top of the lawn for appearance’s sake and then let everything absorb into the ground before moving.
Lastly – don’t forget to wear gloves while handling all fertilizers because some contain chemicals
