Whether you are growing plants inside or outside, it's important to fertilize them. Fertilizer assists plants to grow by providing nutrients. This page takes you through the steps of how to fertilize plants.

Whether you are growing plants inside or outside, it's important to fertilize them. Fertilizer assists plants to grow by providing nutrients. This page takes you through the steps of how to fertilize plants.

• Fertilizers enables inside and outside plants to grow. While fertilizers are not always necessary and plants sometimes can grow without them, it's best to always use fertilizer as a general practice for outside plants. Often soil can lack the necessary quantities of essential nutrients for plants to grow. Fertilizers can also help plants to grow faster, taller and healthier.

(Creative Commons photo by INeedCoffee)

• Fertilizers consists of various nutrients. The main ingredients are nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, which are necessary for plants to grow. These are normally present in soil, but can be missing or in low quantities. Some fertilizers contain additional nutrients as well.

1. There are two types of fertilizers: organic fertilizers, which consists of for example compost material or manure, and non-organic fertilizers, which are chemical fertilizers.
2. If you are using fertilizer for outside plants, consider buying a soil test first. The kit can be bought at gardening retailers and will test your soil to see if it has more acid or alkaline. This can help you determine which fertilizer to use.

• Fertilizers is used as a common practice when growing plants outside. Fertilizer is added when a plant is first placed in the soil and later on as it grows.

1. Add fertilizer when the plant is planted. You can use a slow-releasing fertilizer, which releases the nutrients slowly into the soil. This are more expensive, but usually provide a better balance for the plant.
2. You will also need to add fertilizer during the growing season, which is normally the spring and summer.
3. If buying a fertilizer, purchase one specifically for the plant in question, if possible. There are many different types of fertilizers, since different plants require different amounts of nutrients.
4. Follow the instructions for fertilization of the specific plant. Don't over-fertilize. This can cause problems such as deformed or discolored leaves or even the death of the plant.

• Inside plants mainly need fertilizers before they are moved inside; that is while they are growing in a nursery or garden. The reason is that the growing process slows down when you move the plant inside, and it therefore needs less nutrients. It can still be beneficial to fertilize an inside plant occasionally.

1. Fertilize the plant regularly while it is growing outside, in a garden or nursery. You should add a fertilizer when it is first plant as you would to any outside plant, and during the growth season.
2. If you are purchasing a plant and place it inside your home, it is often not necessary to fertilize it. The plant was already fertilized when planted. In fact, fertilizing can provide too much salt to a plant if you don't do it cautiously and in limited amounts.
3. Some indoor plants can benefit from regular fertilization.

• Fertilization is often necessary for outside plants and can also be beneficial for inside plants. If you follow the fertilization recommendations for your plant and are careful not to over-fertilize, fertilization can not only enable a plant to grow, but help it to grow taller and healthier.

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• Introduction
• Step 1: The Ingredients
• Step 2: Outside Plants
• Step 3: Inside Plants
• Conclusion