8-4-8 fertilizer is a type of fertilizer that consists of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium in the ratio 8:4:8. It is most commonly used on lawns but can also be used for gardens or agriculture. The 8 in the name refers to the percentage of nitrogen, 4 refers to the percentage of phosphorus, and 8 again refers to the percentage of potassium. This ratio provides all three essential components for plant growth: Nitrogen boosts leaf production; Phosphorus promotes strong roots leading to increased drought tolerance; Potassium aids in disease resistance and helps plants withstand insect pressure.
What is 8-4-8 Fertilizer Good for?
The products in the ratio are essential for plant growth and so, it is good to use on lawns or gardens. It can also be used for agriculture which includes crops such as corn or wheat that need a lot of nitrogen-rich fertilizer to grow well.
Organic matter like manure should always be incorporated into the soil before applying this type of fertilizer because organic fertilizers release their nutrients more slowly over time whereas synthetic fertilizers do not provide these benefits. The other benefit from using an organic product first is that you will end up with less runoff when watering your plants since they won’t leach through the ground as fast due to the higher levels of dissolved particles found in natural sources.
When to use it?
To know when to apply this type of fertilizer, it is important to note that the NPK ratio in an organic fertilizer can vary from one product to another. For example, you will find a higher nitrogen content in products labeled as “blood meal” and low amounts of phosphate so these fertilizers should be applied only during periods of heavy vegetation growth or for stressful crops such as tomatoes which need an increased level of phosphorous especially if they are grown hydroponically.
The other factor influencing how often this type of fertilizer needs to be applied is soil pH levels with plants growing better over time on soils at a slightly acidic level (anything below about pH-level six). If your garden soil falls into the range between seven and nine on the pH scale, then you will need to reapply this type of fertilizer every four or five weeks.
How to use 8-4-8 fertilizer
How To Apply: Merely apply the fertilizer before planting your seeds or seedlings, at a rate of one cup per 100 square feet. Generally speaking, this type of fertilizer needs to be reapplied every four weeks for best results-but if you have acidic soil with a pH below six then it should only need to be done every five weeks instead.
Fertilizer Applications: Both timing and amounts will depend on what type of plants are being grown in your garden as well as certain factors like how much rainfall they receive over that time period. It is essential that at least one-half inch rain falls on these plants within a 30-day window because their roots cannot absorb nutrients without water from the ground below them.
