Guide to Using Water Soluble Fertilizers

Guide to Using Water Soluble Fertilizers

Water Soluble Fertilizers (WSF) are a great source of nutrients to use for growing indoor hydroponic crops. WSF products, such as General Hydroponics® FloraPro®, are fertilizer blends produced from high quality, technical grade fertilizer salts in dry, powder form. WSF&#;s are meant to be dissolved, or solubilized, in water before use.

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Dissolving WSF fertilizers may be a new experience for some growers

Starting Tips

Historically, indoor hydroponic growers relied on liquid fertilizer products. For those growers who have always used liquids and want to use WSFs in their production, there are a few things that need to be kept in mind when using Hawthorne WSF products.

Water quality is important.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) water is preferred but not required. If not using RO water and using an outside source, it&#;s best to have a water analysis conducted by a reputable lab to assure there are no contaminants that will interact with your fertilizer program.

Use hot water if possible.

Dissolving fertilizer salts is an endothermic process. That means that dissolving any fertilizer salt will need energy (i.e. stirring or heat) to make the process go faster. When making either dilute or concentrated solutions, starting with hot water and agitation, speeds up the process up considerably. The speed in which a fertilizer dissolves is driven by the amount to be dissolved, the temperature of the water used and the amount of agitation employed.

Quick guide to fertilizing plants

Quick facts

There are 17 essential nutrients that all plants need, including carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, which plants get from air and water.

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are needed in larger amounts than other nutrients; they are considered primary macronutrients.

Too much fertilizer is not only a waste of money, but it can damage plants and harm the environment.

With the right amount of nutrients, your garden can thrive and provide pounds of produce for harvest.

Plants need nutrients

17 essential nutrients needed for normal plant growth

Like us, plants need nutrients in varying amounts for healthy growth. There are 17 essential nutrients that all plants need, including carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, which plants get from air and water. The remaining 14 are obtained from soil but may need to be supplemented with fertilizers or organic materials such as compost. 

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are needed in larger amounts than other nutrients; they are considered primary macronutrients.

Secondary macronutrients include sulfur, calcium, and magnesium.

Micronutrients such as iron and copper are necessary in much smaller amounts.

Nutrient availability in soils

Nutrient availability in soils is a function of several factors including soil texture (loam, loamy sand, silt loam), organic matter content and pH. 

Texture

Clay particles and organic matter in soils are chemically reactive and will hold and slowly release nutrient ions that can be used by plants. 

Soils that are finer-textured (more clay) and higher in organic matter (5-10%) have greater nutrient-holding ability than sandy soils with little or no clay or organic matter. Sandy soils in Minnesota are also more prone to nutrient losses through leaching, as water carries nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium or sulfur below the root zone where plants can no longer access them. 

pH

Soil pH is the degree of alkalinity or acidity of soils. When pH is too low or too high, chemical reactions can alter the nutrient availability and biological activity in soils. Most fruits and vegetables grow best when soil pH is slightly acidic to neutral, or between 5.5 and 7.0. 

There are some exceptions; blueberries, for example, require a low pH (4.2-5.2). Soil pH can be modified using materials like lime (ground limestone) to raise pH or elemental sulfur to lower pH.

Nutrient availability

In general, most Minnesota soils have enough calcium, magnesium, sulfur and micronutrients to support healthy plant growth. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the nutrients most likely to be deficient and should be supplemented with fertilizers for optimum plant growth.

The best method for assessing nutrient availability in your garden is to do a soil test. A basic soil test from the University of Minnesota&#;s Soil Testing Laboratory will give a soil texture estimate, organic matter content (used to estimate nitrogen availability), phosphorus, potassium, pH and lime requirement.

The analysis will also come with a basic interpretation of results and provide recommendations for fertilizing.

Choosing fertilizers

There are many options for fertilizers and sometimes the choices may seem overwhelming. The most important thing to remember is that plants take up nutrients in the form of ions, and the source of those ions is not a factor in plant nutrition. 

For example, plants get nitrogen via NO3- (nitrate) or NH4+ (ammonium), and those ions can come from either organic or synthetic sources and in various formulations (liquid, granular, pellets or compost). 

The fertilizer you choose should be based primarily on soil test results and plant needs, both in terms of nutrients and speed of delivery. 

Other factors to consider include soil and environmental health as well as your budget.

Fertilizer analysis

Tomato food guaranteed analysis label

All commercially available fertilizers have what is called a guaranteed analysis, meaning the percent of each major nutrient, by weight, in the fertilizer must be listed on the package as N-P-K. 

For example, 10 pounds of 17-18-28 tomato food fertilizer contains 1.7 pounds of nitrogen, 1.8 pounds of phosphorus oxide (P2O5 &#; phosphate), and 2.8 pounds of potassium oxide (K2O &#; potash). 

Many garden fertilizers contain additional nutrients. Inorganic fertilizers generally list all nutrients on the label, organic fertilizers often contain a wide array of plant nutrients and may not list them all.

If you cannot find a fertilizer with the exact N-P-K ratio that is recommended by your soil test report, you should select a product with a ratio that most closely matches. It&#;s more important to match the nitrogen recommendation than the phosphorus or potassium recommendations, but try not to exceed the phosphorus recommendation because of water quality concerns.

Note that a 10-20-10 fertilizer has a ratio of nutrients that is 1:2:1, meaning that for every 1 pound of N, there are 2 pounds of P2O5 and 1 pound of K2O.

Inorganic vs. organic fertilizers

Fertilizers are either inorganic or organic. 

Inorganic fertilizers do not contain carbon and are generally manufactured, water-soluble products. 

Organic fertilizers are carbon-based and derived from living organisms, such as fish emulsion or blood meal. 

Urea (common in inorganic fertilizers) is a synthetic organic compound; it contains carbon, but is manufactured from inorganic materials and does not qualify for certified organic production.

Inorganic fertilizers

Can provide rapid delivery of nutrients in liquid form or release a balance of nutrients over a longer period of time in slow-release forms (e.g. slow dissolving or coated).

Are generally cheaper than organic fertilizers per pound of nutrient.

Are easy to use when calculating precise application rates.

Have higher burn potential for plants and greater potential for loss to the environment through leaching or runoff.

Examples: All-purpose (10-10-10), tomato fertilizer (17-18-28), slow-release granular (15-9-12).

Organic fertilizers

Are generally considered to be slow-release. Microorganisms in the soil transform organic nutrients into plant-available forms, and this can take days to weeks. 

Are more expensive than inorganic fertilizers per pound of nutrient, but many can be used for certified organic production (read label to be sure).

May be difficult to calculate precise nutrient content and application rates (as with compost).

Have lower burn potential and are less likely to be lost to the environment.

May contain weed seeds or human pathogens like E. coli or Salmonella. Both are found in fresh or improperly composted manure, among other sources.

Examples: Blood meal (13-2-0), organic tomato fertilizer (3-6-4), fish fertilizer (5-1-1).

Additional benefits of organic materials

Tomatoes mulched with grass clippings

Regardless of which fertilizers you choose, consider adding additional organic materials to support overall soil health. Carbon-based materials such as organic fertilizers, compost, grass clippings or cover crops provide a range of benefits to both plants and soil. 

Many organic materials contain other essential plant nutrients in addition to N, P and K. 

Organic materials provide carbon to feed soil microorganisms, increase soil organic matter, and improve overall soil health. 

Adding organic materials to soil also improves water holding capacity in sandy soils and increases drainage and aeration in clay soils. 

Using organic materials as mulch can suppress weed growth, reduce temperature and moisture fluctuations, prevent transmission of soil-borne plant pathogens, and minimize soil erosion. 

Incorporating organic materials can actually reduce the need for supplemental fertilizers.

Organic materials provide nutrients as they decompose and the resulting soil organic matter will hold and slowly release nutrients over time.

Common nutrient issues in vegetables

Diagnosing nutrient deficiencies or excesses in fruits and vegetables is challenging. Many nutrient issues look alike, often more than one nutrient is involved, and the reasons for them can be highly variable.

Here are some examples of issues you may see in the garden. 

Plants lacking nitrogen will show yellowing on older, lower leaves; too much nitrogen can cause excessive leafy growth and delayed fruiting.

Plants lacking phosphorus may show stunted growth or a reddish-purple tint in leaf tissue. 

A potassium deficiency can cause browning of leaf tissue along the leaf edges, starting with lower, older leaves. 

A calcium deficiency often leads to &#;tip burn&#; on younger leaves or blossom end rot in tomatoes or zucchini. However, calcium deficiencies are often not a result of low calcium in the soil, but are caused by uneven watering, excessive soil moisture, or damage to roots. 

Lack of sulfur on sandy soils can cause stunted, spindly growth and yellowing leaves; potatoes, onions, corn and plants in the cabbage family tend to be most sensitive.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of water soluble fertilizer. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

General guidelines for fertilizer use

Nitrogen

Because nitrogen promotes leafy growth, too much nitrogen late in the season can minimize or delay fruiting.

Nitrogen is considered to be mobile in the soil, meaning that it moves with water, so it&#;s best to apply nitrogen when plants will be ready to use it.

Apply nitrogen immediately before or after planting annual crops or following green-up for perennial crops.

If you have sandy soil, consider using more frequent applications of nitrogen but using a lower application rate.

Phosphorus and potassium

Among other things, phosphorus supports root growth and fruiting, while potassium supports disease resistance and plant hardiness.

Phosphorus and potassium are not mobile in the soil and need close contact with plant roots in order to be taken up.

They should be applied and incorporated prior to planting, either in spring or fall. 

Use them wisely

N-P-K fertilizers with ratios of 1:2:2 or 1:2:1 are particularly well-suited for transplants and can be applied when plants are set in the ground.

Foliar fertilizers may also be helpful in some cases, although most nutrient acquisition is through plant roots.

Foliar fertilization may be used to correct deficiencies during the growing season, to provide micronutrients such as zinc or iron when soil pH is greater than 7, or to supply nutrients such as potassium and phosphorus in cool spring soils, when plant roots absorb fewer nutrients

Finally, remember to use fertilizer wisely and always follow label instructions. Too much fertilizer is not only a waste of money, but it can damage plants and harm the environment. With the right amount of nutrients, however, your garden can thrive and provide pounds of produce for harvest.

Rosen, C., Bierman, P., and Finney, H., . Soil Resources and Fertilizers. In Weisenhorn, J. (Ed.), Master Gardener Core Course: Horticulture for the Home Gardener, 41-88. University of Minnesota Extension. 

Water-Soluble Fertilizers

If you have ever shopped for fertilizer for your plants, then you know the wide variety of options available. Water-soluble fertilizers are popular, often because they seem easy to work with: a scoop or so in the watering can and you&#;re done. Even within this subcategory, the options seem daunting: Organic? Synthetic? High phosphorus to promote blooms?

To help clear these muddy waters, we tested five water-soluble fertilizers derived from a variety of sources. We applied them to plants grown for their fruit (&#;Sun Gold&#; tomato), flowers (a dwarf marigold mix), and foliage (&#;Purple Ruffles&#; basil). And while some of the results might be what you would expect, there were a few surprises.

How we conducted the tests

Our control group of plants was grown with no fertilizer besides what was in the potting mix (Fafard 3B&#;a professional growing medium similar to many over-the-counter mixes) to see whether adding fertilizers made a difference in growth. The plants were planted in April, and we applied fertilizers every two weeks at the rates recommended for container plants on the packaging. In two cases, we did not follow the packaging instructions exactly as written. First, we applied Miracle-Gro Liquid All Purpose fertilizer at half of the recommended rate (this was an error caused by misreading the label and not the fault of the company); second, we used fish fertilizer every two weeks instead of every month as recommended on the packaging (this was done for the sake of consistent application across fertilizer types). All of these fertilizers were applied to three of each of the plant types tested. Average flower number and fruit number per plant were tracked for marigolds and tomatoes, respectively. At the end of the experiment, all plants were dried and weighed.

What we tested

We tested a range of fertilizers that come from different sources: organic options, like seaweed and fish emulsion, to synthetics like Miracle-Gro. The NPK ratio is the percentage of the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, respectively, that the fertilizers provide. All of these fertilizers are widely available, and the costs presented are from amazon.com.

Bonide Atlantis Fish Fertilizer

NPK: 2&#;4&#;0

Cost: $11.67 for 1 qt.

Miracle-Gro Bloom Booster

NPK: 10&#;52&#;10

Cost: $9.04 for 1 lb.

Nature&#;s Source Plant Food

NPK: 10&#;4&#;3

Cost: $16.99 for 1 qt.

Miracle-Gro Liquid All Purpose Plant Food

NPK: 12&#;4&#;8

Cost: $5.92 for 1 qt.

Neptune&#;s Harvest Organic Seaweed Plant Food

NPK: 0&#;0&#;1

Cost: $15.20 for 1 qt.

Feeding works but not always how you would expect

All fertilizers offer a range of nutrients to plants, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, zinc, and a host of other elements. Of these, nitrogen usually has the most effect on plant growth. Adding nitrogen usually results in more growth. This was evident in our study. The final average weights of the plants tested provided an obvious way to separate the influence of fertilizers on plants. As expected, plants grown without fertilizer were smaller than plants grown with fertilizer. Of the plants treated with fertilizer, those that offered the lowest percentage of nitrogen resulted in the smallest plants, while those with higher levels of nitrogen resulted in larger plants.

All of the plants grew reasonably well with no obvious nutrient deficiencies; however, some differences in plant growth emerged as the experiment continued.

One of the most interesting things that we saw was the earlier emergence and greater number of fruit on tomato plants that were not fertilized. Though interesting, this is not surprising because, unlike the fertilized plants, the plants given no fertilizer immediately devoted their energy to reproduction (fruit production) instead of vegetative growth (stem and leaf growth). Plants that were fertilized devoted their energy to growth and developed fruit later than the control plants. By the end of the experiment, they were clearly producing more fruit. The same general trend was seen with marigold flowers. With sufficient nutrients, plants prefer to grow before they reproduce, but if nutrients are limited, plants prefer to devote what resources they have to ensuring that there is another generation.

One of the most interesting things that we saw in this experiment was the failure of Miracle-Gro Bloom Booster to provide a consistent increase in average bloom number in marigolds or fruit number in tomatoes (which should be expected because blooms turn into fruit). At only one sampling date for marigolds did Bloom Booster have the highest average number of blooms. Bloom Booster is supposed to work by offering plants a high dose of phosphorus, an element that is supposed to improve the number of blooms. Phosphorus is certainly required for plants to bloom; however, only a small amount is needed. Adding more phosphorus can even be considered a waste of a natural resource because most phosphorus for fertilizers is mined from a limited number of sites around the world. With an analysis of 10&#;52&#;10, Bloom Booster offers a level of phosphorus that is excessive for most plants. Remember that any phosphorus added to your plant beyond what the plant uses could end up running down a gutter and into a local pond or lake. Once it&#;s there, it will undoubtedly feed algae and contribute to a damaging reduction of oxygen in the water, which could suffocate fish and other aquatic creatures. Though the use of a half rate of Miracle-Gro All Purpose fertilizer was an accident, it did show that, even when applied at less than the recommended concentration, fertilizers can still have a significant effect on growth. Though a little more fertilizer can improve plant growth, plants can still grow and be perfectly healthy with much less fertilizer than what is recommended.

Using fertilizer provides better results than not using fer­tilizer, and paying attention to the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus in the fertilizer you are using is important. What appears to be less important is whether the product is organic or synthetic as both types performed well in our tests. Based on our results, our recommendation would be to select a fertilizer with a low concentration of phosphorus relative to the amount of nitrogen, something like a 5:2 ratio, and to apply it according to label instructions&#;or even at a lower concentration.

How do water-soluble fertilizers work?

What is the benefit of these fertilizers?

Unlike granular, slow-release fertilizers, water-soluble fertilizers offer nutrients already dissolved in water, so they will be quickly available to plants.

Are organic options different than synthetic ones?

There are so many different types of organic and synthetic fertilizers that dividing them along these lines isn&#;t a reasonable thing to do. That said, organic fertilizers are often (but not always) made from renewable resources, might be more likely to release nutrients slowly, and might be more likely to contain valuable micronutrients.

Is salt buildup in the soil an issue?

This can be an issue with any fertilizer. For most fertilizers, it&#;s important not to add them with every watering so that you can flush out any excess fertilizer. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label.

Is it worthwhile to use them on in-ground plants?

Water-soluble fertilizers will work fine for in-ground plants; however, some of the fertilizer is likely to run off during application. Granular fertilizers will release more slowly with soil moisture and are likely to be more efficient, unless you have a downpour right after they&#;re applied.

Lawn fertilizers aid in the aesthetic of residential and commercial lawns and restore nutrient balance within the soil. If you&#;ve ever wondered how the natural process of nutrient absorption from these fertilizers occurs, read along as we take a deeper dive into understanding water-soluble fertilizers and their essential role in lawn care. 

In this guide, we'll discuss water-soluble fertilizers' role, the benefits of liquid fertilizers, how to make fertilization more effective, and how frequently you should be fertilizing your lawn.

What Does it Mean to be Water Soluble?

Before diving into the benefits of water-soluble fertilizers, it's first essential to understand what it means. Any ingredient or product that is water-soluble means that it can dissolve in and be absorbed by water. Water solubility measures how much of a given ingredient can be effectively dissolved and absorbed.

The excellent news for lawn fertilizers is that both granular and liquid fertilizers are water-soluble, though they may require different steps before or after lawn application. Finding the right water-soluble fertilizer for your lawn can bring you quick results with almost no fuss, depending on your grass care needs.

The Benefits of Water Soluble Fertilizers

Lawn fertilizers are meant to be water-soluble so that the soil can adequately absorb them. When you're fertilizing your lawn, water solubility is crucial in whether your lawn care application is effective or not. The solubility of lawn fertilizers, granular or liquid, provides the grass with these benefits:

• Efficient absorption
• Optimal growth
• Effective use of nutrients
• Less product waste

We can revitalize and rejuvenate lawns through an independent fertilization process because of the water-soluble properties of lawn fertilizers. Without this property, lawn fertilizers would sit at the surface of grass, rendering them ineffective without proper soil absorption and nutrient uptake.

What is Liquid Fertilizer?

Liquid fertilizers exist in a readily available form for fast nutrient absorption by the soil. Because of this fertilizer's liquid state, it has enhanced water solubility upon application. You can rest assured that the ingredients are getting to work fast. Liquid fertilizer allows for a more uniform application than granular fertilizer. Best of all, there is no heavy spreading equipment needed with liquid fertilizers&#;use your existing garden hose to apply this product with the bottle's spray nozzle. 

There are even more benefits to going liquid with your lawn care. Liquid fertilizers are homogenous and well-mixed, so your lawn will get an even application; you will see consistent results in your yard. The water solubility in liquid fertilizer is even better due to the small particle sizes that allow for significant nutrient uptake by grassroots. 

You can use your liquid fertilizer for more than just your grass. These water-soluble fertilizers can be sprayed onto plant foliage for an extra nutrient boost, too. 

How Do I Ensure Effective Water Solubility?

The physical application of lawn fertilization is not adequate alone. The water solubility of necessary macronutrients and micronutrients makes lawn fertilization useful. No matter which type of fertilizer you choose for your lawn care, these are steps you can take to ensure the effectiveness of your water-soluble fertilizers: 

• Research lawn fertilizers - Look for specific callouts on water solubility.
• Compare fertilizer ingredients - note which micronutrients may be insoluble.
• Follow fertilizer directions for pre and post-application - pay special attention to watering instructions as these will directly impact the water solubility of ingredients. 

Researching ingredients in fertilizers will be the first step to ensuring sufficient water solubility. With these tips, you can get the most out of your water-soluble fertilizer. You might be asking yourself how often you should be applying this to your lawn - let&#;s learn more. 

When Should I Fertilize My Lawn?

Navigating a lawn care schedule, especially a fertilizing schedule, can sometimes prove to be challenging. The factors contributing to lawn fertilization frequency may include grass type, season, and overall grass health. Your warm-season or cool-season grass may have different fertilization needs. Still, the general rule of thumb is to fertilize twice a year - once at the start of the growing season and again before the dormancy season (or the first frost if you are in a colder state.)

You do not need to adhere to fertilizing just twice a year rigidly. Instead, pay attention to what your lawn is telling you. Brown or yellowing leaves, dry patches, and an excess of weeds can tell you what you need to know about the state of your grass's health. The most conclusive way to tell if it's time for fertilization is to conduct a soil test. The results of the soil test will let you know of any nutrient deficiencies or pH imbalances. From there, you can decide the best course of action for your grass health. Regardless of which type of product you use, highly water-soluble fertilizers will yield faster, more effective results.  

If you need help getting started, this fertilizer schedule supplies a month-by-month lawn care guide for your specific needs.

How to Make the Most Out of Your Fertilizer Application

Fertilizer application generally only happens a few times per year, whether you choose a granular fertilizer or opt for liquid fertilizer. Therefore, you want to be sure your fertilizer application is practical and useful. Here are some tips on how to make the most out of your lawn fertilizer: 

• Prepare soil - Aerate to allow for deeper penetration of nutrients and water. 
• Indicate the nutrient imbalance - Conducting a soil test will help you learn more about what nutrients your soil is lacking
• Find the right blend - Depending on your soil test results, you can restore nutrient balance in your soil by applying the right blend and ratio of essential fertilizer macronutrients: nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus.

Your lawn is sure to enhance curb appeal in no time!

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