What does NPK mean?  What other nutrients are in your fertilizers?

NPK is a rating system that describes the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in a fertilizer.  The NPK nutrient values are expressed as a percentage of the total weight of the product in the package.  As an example, out Peace of Mind^® Tomato & Vegetable fertilizer has an NPK of 7-4-5.

Nitrogen, represented by the first number, is responsible for leafy, green growth and is most important in a plant’s early growth stages.  Some plants, like tomatoes, are heavy nitrogen feeders and will quickly deplete the soil of nitrogen if more is not added.

Phosphorus, represented by the second number, supports root development, fruit and flowering, and helps the plant fight off disease.  It helps plants transfer energy from one part of the plant to another.

Potassium, represented by the third number, helps plants fight off disease and weather extreme heat or cold.  It regulates the synthesis of proteins and starches.

The NPK ratings of organic fertilizers tend to be lower, but that does not make them any less powerful.  There’s more to a good fertilizer than NPK.  The organic, biologically active nutrients we use in our organic products have a “functional value” that can’t be measured in a test tube.  Beneficial microorganisms, pre-digested enzymes, vitamins and amino acids are the key to the power of an organic fertilizer like Big Bloom^™.

Our fertilizers may also include micronutrients such as calcium and magnesium, trace minerals, and beneficial microbes that meet specific nutritional needs.

What is pH and what is the ideal pH for my vegetables and flowers?

Soil pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of the soil.  A neutral soil that is neither acid nor alkaline has a pH of 7.  Acid soils are considered low pH (below 7) and alkaline soils are classified as high pH (above 7).  Some plants thrive in an acid or alkaline soil, but many common garden plants prefer a neutral soil.  If a plant is in a soil that is too acid or too alkaline for its particular needs, it will be unable to access the nutrients in the soil.  No matter how much you fertilize, the plant won’t thrive unless you adjust the soil’s pH to meet the needs of the plants. 

You can buy a simple home test kit to measure the pH of your soil, and then you can adjust the pH gradually.  Acid soils can be neutralized with calcium or agricultural lime, and alkaline soils can be corrected with sulfur or with regular applications of mulch or aged manure.  However, it’s important to make these adjustments gradually to avoid shocking the plants, and in general we encourage you to choose plants that naturally do well with your soil type.

Our fertilizers and soils are pH-adjusted to meet your plants’ needs.  For instance, our Peace of Mind^® Fertilizer for acid-loving plants like rhododendrons and azaleas is pH-adjusted to meet the needs of flowering shrubs that prefer acid soils.

In general, hydroponic systems work well at a pH of 5.8 – 6.0, and garden soil will support a wide variety of plants with a pH of 6.6 – 6.8.

Why do you use earthworm castings, bat guano, and humic acid in so many of your products? 

When we get enthusiastic about a particular ingredient, we can get a little carried away.  That’s why you’ll find three of our favorite ingredients – worm castings, bat guano, and humic acid – in so many of our products.

Earthworm castings are teeming with beneficial microbes that help plants thrive.  Scientists have tried to reproduce every nutrient worm castings contain in the laboratory, but they’ve been unable to create a formula that feeds plants as well as that rich, black, worm poop does.  Earthworms – and their castings – help roots access nutrients that are in the soil, and help plants fight off pests and diseases.

Our proprietary source of bat guano is naturally high in phosphorus, which helps create dazzling color, scent and taste.  It is also packed with beneficial microbes and helps fight off harmful nematode infestations.  Bat guano also helps facilitate the transformation of soil nutrients into a form that is easier for plants to absorb, making it the perfect catalyst for our fertilizers and soils.

Humic acid is a natural by-product of organic decomposition.  It contains trace amounts of nutrients and it helps hold other nutrients in the soil where plants can use them.  It can improve the humus content in the soil, hold water in the soil, and generally improve soil health for better seed germination and plant growth.

What’s the deal with mycorrhizae?  How do you tell an endo from and ecto?  What’s a bacillus? 

If you look at the ingredient listing on our products, you’ll see that we often put a powerful squadron of beneficial microorganisms in the mix.  What’s all the fuss about microorganisms?  Read on:

Mycorrhizae is a word that describes a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and the roots of a plant.  Mycorrhizal fungi attach to plant roots and deliver water and nutrients to them.  Tiny strands, called hyphae, can stretch long distances in the soil in search of the nutrients a plant needs.  They promote root development, fight off disease, break down fertilizers, and they can even fight off harmful soil borne microbes and encourage the growth of beneficial microbes.

We include endomycorrhizae, which form on the insides of plant roots, and ectomycorrhizae, which attach to the outside of plant roots, to support a variety of plant life.  Under the microscope, mycorrhizae colonies form nodes that look like little rice crispies attached to the roots.  The entire surface area of these nodes can absorb and transmit nutrients. 

We also include Bacillus subtillus, a beneficial bacteria that controls the growth of a number of plant pathogens, including blight, scab, grey mold, and mildew.  It’s particularly useful for garden vegetables and fruit trees.  Adding a natural disease-fighter like B. subtillus to our products helps ensure that your plants will stay healthy, and it also improves the long-term health of your soil.  

Can I mix dry and wet fertilizers together? 

You can use our dry mix and liquid fertilizers in combination with each other.  However, we suggest that you mix dry fertilizers into the soil according to package directions, water well, and wait a few days before applying a liquid fertilizer. 

Can I mix FoxFarm fertilizers with products from other companies?

Yes, but for best results, we recommend that you Keep the Family Together. Our products are designed to work together and complement one another.  If you are using a FoxFarm feeding schedule, we strongly recommend that you not add another company’s products to the feeding schedule to avoid the possibility of a nutrient lock-out.

Is it possible to burn plants with FoxFarm fertilizers?

Remember that American Pride^® and Marine Cuisine^® do include some organic ingredients, but they are not 100% organic fertilizers.  Two of our liquid fertilizers, Tiger Bloom^® and Grow Big^®, are also not 100% organic.  Our soluble products, like Open Sesame^®, Beastie Bloomz^® and Cha Ching^®, also contain inorganic ingredients. If you use too much, you can burn your plants.  Remember when you use these extra strength, time release fertilizers, less is more.  

Don’t forget that a powerful plant food needs to be used as directed.  Be patient, because a little goes a long way.  American Pride^® and Marine Cuisine^® are meant to be mixed into the soil, so make sure you water thoroughly, pull excess fertilizer away from the base of the plant, and don’t allow fertilizer to sit on any external part of the plant. 

Also, a helpful hint when feeding: always make sure that you water first, so that the soil is moist, then feed.  This will help prevent possible burning with any fertilizer you use.

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