To help your plants grow healthy, big, and strong, you need to feed them well. However, many gardeners are confused about the difference between plant food and fertilizer.
Do you also want to know whether plant food and fertilizer are the same thing? You are not alone! In this insightful post, we will explain whether fertilizer is the same as plant food and if there are any similarities or differences.
We will also discuss the importance of their compositions for nurturing your garden and plants to vibrant health! Read on.
Is Plant Food The Same As Fertilizer?
Most newbie gardeners usually use the terms “plant food” and “fertilizer” interchangeably, taking both terms to be the same. Some often ask: “Is plant food the same as plant fertilizer?”
While both terms are used interchangeably and are used to nourish plants, they are slightly different from each other. Let’s see how they differ!
Plant Food
Plant food is a more general term referring to any natural, organic, and synthetic products geared towards nourishing plants and keeping them healthy. It includes humus, organic matter, compost, manure, dead insects, fungi, plant and animal wastes, the fertilizer itself, and so on.
Unlike “fertilizers,” plant food may be obtained from the soil or environment naturally by the plant or added by the gardener.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer, on the other hand, is any substance or material, natural or synthetic, that is usually “added” to the soil to make it more fertile and to boost plant growth.
We can say that fertilizer essentially acts as a supplement to the natural nutrients that plants get from the soil and environment.
Fertilizers can be grouped into two – organic and inorganic – based on their source and composition.
Organic Fertilizers:
Also referred to as natural fertilizers, they are derived from natural sources like seaweed extracts, fish emulsion, bone meal, manure, compost, and so on.
They release organic matter and nutrients into the soil as they decompose. Hence, they are also called slow-release fertilizers. They promote long-term soil fertility and sustainability, enhance microbial activity, and improve the soil structure.
Organic fertilizers are also favored for their environmental benefits.
Inorganic Fertilizers:
Also called synthetic fertilizers, they are specially produced from chemical compounds like ammonium nitrate, superphosphate, and potassium sulfate.
They usually contain concentrated forms of macronutrients Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K), and are used for precise nutrient supplementation.
They are quick-release and deliver nutrients to the soil and plants quickly and efficiently. This makes inorganic fertilizers suitable for boosting rapid plant growth and development, as well as addressing acute nutrient deficiencies.
Please note that over-reliance on inorganic fertilizers often leads to imbalanced nutrient levels and soil depletion.
Now that you know what fertilizers and plant food are, we can see that the major difference between both is that fertilizers are usually actively added to the soil or plant to augment or supplement insufficient nutrients. Plant food, on the other hand, can either be added or obtained directly from the soil by the plant without any aid.
Hence, you need to add fertilizers to target specific nutrient deficiencies in the soil when the inherent plant food in the soil and environment becomes insufficient to support overall healthy plant growth.
In light of this explanation, we can conclude that fertilizers are also plant food; both are almost the same thing and plant needs them to boost growth.
Common Misconception
Most of the time, people think fertilizers are inorganic compounds in granules, liquids, or pellet form. They take fertilizers to be specially-made chemical substances that add concentrated macronutrients N-P-K to the soil to boost fertility.
Hence, they consider plant food to be inorganic and fertilizers to be organic materials. That is a misconception. Both plant food and fertilizers can either be organic or inorganic and serve to nourish plants.
Difference Between Plant Food And Fertilizer
As explained above, there is no major difference between plant food and fertilizers. Instead, both function similarly to promote plant health and growth.
Composition and Nutritional Content
Plant food encompasses a variety of materials, which include natural organic matter, manure, compost, and synthetic fertilizers.
Plant food generally contains essential macronutrients that plants need for healthy growth, such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, as well as micronutrients like Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, and Sulfur.
The nutrients in plant food are usually derived from organic or inorganic sources and are presented in a form readily available for plant intake.
This is the same as inorganic fertilizer, which is a specific type of plant food specially formulated to supply essential nutrients to plants in a concentrated form. Organic fertilizers are added to address or replenish specific nutrient deficiencies in the soil and promote plant growth, flowering, and fruiting.
Application Methods
Organic plant food and fertilizers are usually applied directly to the soil or plant foliage. They may be mixed with the soil during planting or periodically applied around the base of the plants.
These plant foods are slow-release formulations and gradually release nutrients over an extended period.
Alternatively, inorganic plant food and fertilizers may come in liquid, granular, or pellet form, which can be diluted with water and used for foliar spraying or soil drenching, mixed with the soil prior to planting, or spread evenly around the plant’s root.
They are quick-release formulations and may require more frequent applications.
Environmental Considerations
Inorganic plant food and fertilizers are synthetic chemicals and contain high concentrations of nutrients. If overused or used irresponsibly, it can either harm beneficial soil organisms or contribute to water pollution.
Organic plant foods and fertilizers, on the other hand, are obtained from natural sources, which are more environmentally friendly.
They release nutrients slowly into the soil, minimizing the risk of nutrient runoff. More so, they improve soil structure, aid soil moisture retention, and reduce the need for frequent watering.
What Is An NPK Ratio?
Plant food and fertilizers contain three major elements, namely Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, which are essential for healthy plant growth.
Nitrogen (N) promotes green leafy growth, Phosphorus (P) aids the development of roots and shoots, and Potassium (K) promotes the development of flowers and fruit.
Different plants require different amounts of these elements. For instance, leafy veggies, such as spinach, need more Nitrogen to encourage good leaf growth. Flowering plants like roses and fruit vegetables like tomatoes need a high-Potassium feed to produce more flowers and fruit.
The proportion of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium in fertilizer is called the N-P-K ratio. You can always see this on the package of each fertilizer. A balanced fertilizer will have almost the same percentage of each element, like the NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer. However, some fertilizers have a higher percentage of one element than others, like the NPK 8-1-3.
Each of these nutrients plays a crucial role in plant growth and development:
Nitrogen (N)
This element is essential for photosynthesis, leafy green growth, and overall plant health. It aids in maintaining healthy foliage and helps the plant absorb other nutrients. If your plants require robust vegetative growth, apply fertilizers with a higher percentage of Nitrogen.
Phosphorus (P)
This element is crucial for vibrant flowering, fruit production, and strong root development. It also promotes energy transfer within the plant.
Potassium (K)
Potassium promotes general plant health and development. It also promotes disease resistance and stress tolerance in plants.
This element promotes sturdy roots and stem systems, enhances nutrient uptake, and regulates water uptake.
Choosing Between Organic or Inorganic Plant Food
When deciding between organic or inorganic plant food and fertilizer, you need to consider the condition of your soil and the specific needs of your plant type.
If your plants show signs requiring a well-rounded nutritional boost, choosing an organic plant food can provide a comprehensive solution. However, if your soil lacks specific nutrients or your plants require targeted supplementation, inorganic plant food can quickly address those deficiencies.
Before you make a final decision, carry out soil testing. This can help you determine any nutrient imbalances or specific needs of your plants, and guide your choice of organic or inorganic plant food or fertilizer.
Whether organic or inorganic plant food, when you provide the right nutrients in the right way, your plants will definitely thrive and flourish.
And if you eventually opt for inorganic plant food, consider the following:
- Always remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the package carefully in terms of application rates and timings.
- Don’t overfeed your plants, as this may harm them.
- Make sure that you water your plants well prior to applying liquid fertilizers to avoid burning their roots.
Do you need help to decide which soil is best for your plants? The linked post is for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, plant food is the same as fertilizer. Most people consider fertilizer as a synthetic or chemical product that contains specific nutrients that plants need. This definition applies only to inorganic fertilizers. Whereas, we also have synthetic plant food. They are the same as both plant food and fertilizer perform similar functions.
Yes, plant food generally contains essential macronutrients that plants need for healthy growth, such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, as well as micronutrients like Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, and Sulfur.