Our top pick, Jobe’s Organics All Purpose Fertilizer, contains a balanced blend that promotes growth, improves soil conditions, and protects against drought and disease. Here are the best fertilizers for plants in your home, garden, lawn, and more. With such variety in the plant world, it isn’t easy to choose one fertilizer that meets the needs of every type of plant for every kind of soil and every type of growing condition. However, the blend of nutrients in Jobe’s Organics All-Purpose Fertilizer comes close. Your plants can have a productive growing season with a 4-4-4 mix of nitrogen for stem and leaf growth, phosphorus for seed or fruit growth, and potassium for drought resistance. The addition of organic matter enriches the soil to promote healthy microbes and improve water use. Safe to use around pets and children, the 6-pound bag of granular fertilizer will cover 1,200 cubic feet in the garden and should be reapplied every six to eight weeks during the growing season. Price at time of publish: $61 A granular formula, the fertilizer is easy to distribute with a spreader. The 20.2-pound bag covers 4,000 square feet of lawn. Use it while the grass is in a growing season and water it in. While Scotts is a leading name in lawn products, what sets this formula apart is that it feeds for up to six months and does not need reapplication in most parts of the U.S. during the growing season. Price at time of publish: $43 Cost-effective because you can mix just what you need and safe to use for flowers, foliage plants, and vegetables, the 24-8-16 mineral-based formula guarantees not to burn plant roots. Since the frequent watering required for containers leaches nutrients from the soil, most plants need feeding about every two weeks. The 5.5-pound container will mix gallons of fertilizer and last throughout the growing season. Price at time of publish: $19 Sold as a concentrate with detailed instructions on proper mixing with water for different trees and shrubs and application methods, the one-gallon container will treat multiple trees. There is no need for a sprayer, just a large bucket or watering can for mixing. Safe to use around pets, the insecticides in the formula are not recommended for edible plants. Price at time of publish: $93 The granules are safe for edibles and can be used for both tilled soil and container plants. The 4-pound package has excellent directions on how much fertilizer to use when planting seedlings or feeding established flowering plants to help you determine how much fertilizer you need. Price at time of publish: $19 While it’s best to test the soil every year, a fast-release granular inorganic fertilizer like Hyponex with an NPK of 10-10-10 will give the seeds and seedlings a good boost toward maturity and vegetable production. Because it is fast-release, it will need to be reapplied every two weeks and watered in well. The usage rate is 2.5-pounds per 100-square-feet so the 40-pound bag may be all you need for the entire season. Price at time of publish: $23 Dr. Earth’s organic fertilizer can help you achieve the results you desire for tomatoes. The 4-6-3 NPK formula includes calcium for proper new growth development and fish-based organic matter. The 4-pound bag will cover up to 60-square-feet (that’s lots of tomatoes!) and is also excellent for berries, leafy greens, and root vegetables. Price at time of publish: $14 Suitable for vegetables and flowers during the growing season, you can use Espoma on trees and shrubs in the spring and fall and indoor plants year-round. The 8-pound bag will cover 200-square-feet of garden soil, and the bag has excellent dosage instructions for other plantings. Price at time of publish: $13 Dry granules feed for up to four months. They are sprinkled on the soil, worked in, and then slowly dissolve when the plant gets water. The balanced mineral-based 14-14-14 NPK formula works well for vegetables, flowers, fruits, and shrubs, from apples to zinnias. Osmocote granules can be used year-round during a plant’s growing season. The 1-pound container has a shaker top and a convenient measuring scoop. One scoop (about two tablespoons) will cover a 2-gallon container or 4-square-feet of garden soil. Price at time of publish: $8 Almost every fertilizer also includes inactive ingredients or filler to help with the distribution of the product.
Organic or Synthetic Formula
Organic formulas are made from naturally occurring minerals and usually contain organic matter like bone meal or different types of composted manures. Most organic fertilizers are not water-soluble; they are slow-release and contain microorganisms that improve the structure of the soil. Synthetic formulas are chemically processed raw materials, and they are water-soluble and work quickly to help plants or lawns jump on spring growth. Because they work quickly, it is essential to follow application guidelines to prevent burning plant roots and foliage.
Seasonal Use
Synthetic fertilizers are most often applied just before or during a plant’s active growing season. However, there are formulas specifically mixed for fall application, especially for lawns. It is essential to carefully read the product’s label and apply the fertilizer at the recommended time. Since organic fertilizers are slow-acting, they should be applied and worked into garden soil in the fall, so the nutrients are available in the spring planting season. Drawing out the fertilization process gives the organic microorganisms time to break down the soil to improve water and airflow.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Mary Marlowe Leverette researched and wrote this roundup. She is a Master Gardener and has extensive personal and professional experience testing, reviewing, and writing about home and garden products. You can find more of her work on The Spruce. Always read the fertilizer label carefully and follow the guidelines. One way to ensure that you don’t overfertilize and damage or burn the grass is to reduce the amount of fertilizer recommended by the manufacturer for each application. Always read the product label and follow it carefully. Most dry fertilizers should not be placed too close to leaves or stems and watered in well to prevent burning tender plant growth.
