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You know you need to fertilise your lawn , but prefer the right fertiliser is no comfortable task . If you use one that ’s too strong , you campaign the risk of burning your grass and pop it off altogether . And , if you use one that is n’t substantial enough , your grass wo n’t have all of the nutrients that it needs to stay put plush and green . In the pursuit for the unadulterated fertilizer for your thousand , you ’ve plausibly come across 17 - 17 - 17 fertiliser and wondered what it is and how and when you should expend it .
you’re able to use 17 - 17 - 17 fertilizer to run your lawn , your cosmetic plants and shrub , and the fruits and vegetables in your garden . This is a potent oecumenical - function fertilizer that contain 17 % nitrogen , 17 % phosphorus , and 17 % potassium . apply 17 - 17 - 17 fertilizer to feed your lawn in the spring and fall .
17-17-17 is an all-purpose fertilizer suitable for most lawns and gardens.
What do the numbers in 17-17-17 fertilizer represent?
Most commercial fertiliser contain three number severalise by a dash . If you ’re a first - time homeowner , you ’re credibly wondering what these numbers intend . Knowing how to read a fertiliser recording label is vital to choose the correct one for your lawn so you may ensure it produce an adequate amount of food .
The three number on a fertilizer ’s label represent nitrogen ( N ) , phosphorus ( P ) , and potassium ( K ) , and the numbers themselves tell you how much of these constituent a fertilizer contains . So 17 - 17 - 17 fertilizer contains 17 % nitrogen , 17 % P , and 17 % potassium . Because it arrest equal amounts of all three of these elements , 17 - 17 - 17 makes an first-class all - purpose fertiliser that ’s appropriate for a wide variety of use .
A 17 - 17 - 17 plant food contains 17 % of each of these three minerals . The rest of the fertilizer is made up of a filler , usually perlite , rice hulls , or grit . These fillers are necessary to ensure the fertilizer can be spread evenly throughout your lawn .
17-17-17 is an all-purpose fertilizer suitable for most lawns and gardens.
Why do fertilizers contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium?
works rely on dozens of micronutrients in the dirt to survive , so why do plant food only offer N , phosphorus , and potassium ? Most commercial fertilizers contain these three ingredients alone simply because they ’re the ones that are most critical to a plant ’s selection . Without them , plant stomach from stunt , patchy growth and anemic - looking foliage . permit ’s take a look at just how exactly these three nutrients corroborate plant health .
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is a mineral that is so essential to life-time that it can be establish in every living affair , not just in plants . Nitrogen plays a critical rolein photosynthesis , a mental process by which plants turn sunlight , pee , and C dioxide into sugars for energy . Without nitrogen , plant life are unable to photosynthesize properly , and the result is lacklustre foliation that step by step turns jaundiced , then brown , before dying off .
grim level of atomic number 7 are incredibly prejudicial to a plant ’s wellness , but too much of it can cause significant price as well . If you ’ve ever made the mistake ofspreading fresh manureon your lawn , or if you ’ve ever found dog poop in your backyard , then you ’ve probably seen nitrogen ’s harmful effects firsthand without even realizing it . redundant nitrogen burns plants , make the foliage to sprain chicken and sometimes white before drying up .
Since both humble level of atomic number 7 and gamy level of nitrogen can cause a works ’s foliage to wrick yellow , it ’s important to be able-bodied to tell the deviation . If you notice your lawn looking yellowish overall , then it ’s most potential suffer from a nitrogen deficiency . But , if you find random yellow spell in otherwise intelligent green sod , then the spots are most likely the solvent of nitrogen suntan .
Nitrogen keeps leaves green and healthy.
Phosphorus
This mineral makes up a part of nucleic battery-acid , including deoxyribonucleic acid ( deoxyribonucleic acid ) and ribonucleic Lucy in the sky with diamonds ( RNA ) . Without phosphorus , plants are ineffectual to cook up DNA and RNA , and since both of these acids are essential for cell section and tissue paper growth , plant with scummy P floor will display scrawny growth .
Phosphorus dally a crucial rolein protein synthetic thinking , ferment with nitrogen to brook vim production for the plant life . A deficiency results in weak plant that never seem to become established . unseasoned plants with a phosphorus want ca n’t break unattackable root system and will take a foresightful time to maturate . Some may even die before they strain adulthood .
Signs of daystar deficiency in ground plants will typically affect older leaves and low - growing foliage . These leaf may turn grey-haired , blue , dark unripened , regal , or cerise . They may become stiff , thick , and ironical , or develop shiny yellow spots . It ’s also not uncommon for the stems to turn shining violent .
Plants with low phosphorus can’t get established and may die young.
Potassium
Also send for caustic potash , potassium helps plantsregulate CO2 inspiration and assists in a variety of enzymatic processes that are all-important for a flora ’s natural selection . Potassium improves a plant ’s drouth leeway during keep up period of time of low rain by regulating wet intake and moisture personnel casualty through the plant ’s stoma . atomic number 19 also enhances yield and veggie production , increase crop yield .
When K levels are humble , the symptoms tend to bear on the oldest leaves at the top of the plant life . Leaves turn dark-brown along the edge and gross profit fade to pale greenish and jaundiced . go forth untreated , the leaves may curl up into themselves .
In some cases , potassium deficiency can be due to overwatering . Even if there ’s enough potassium in the soil , if a plant gets too much moisture , it can still experience depressed potassium symptom . Low oxygen stage in the grunge , as well as an elevated soil pH , can lend to potassium deficiency in flora as well . take amount to oxygenise the soil and adjust the pH scale is decisive to helping a flora with broken potassium degree .
Plants suffering from potassium deficiency have poor drought tolerance.
How can you tell if your lawn needs 17-17-17 fertilizer?
The best way to specify what type of fertiliser your lawn want is to quiz the dirt with anat - home examination kit . This will assure you how much of which mineral are in the soil so you could choose the appropriate plant food for your motive . Most lawns have an N - phosphorus - K proportion of 3:1:3 or 4:1:2 , but these baseline are found on average , and your lawn ’s proportion may motley .
A territory with an N - P - K proportion of 5 - 1 - 2 isconsidered relatively healthy , although it does n’t supply the turf with enough nitrogen and potassium to continue growing well in the long run . Ideally , you should be drive for a proportion of 8 - 2 - 5 . This kicks the nitrogen and potassium levels up a snick so the soil levels do n’t become depleted as the grass uses nutrient . An 8 - 2 - 5 ratio provides your lawn with a steady supplying of minerals to keep it bet great all time of year long .
What are the different types of 17-17-17 fertilizers?
Not all plant food are produce equal . There are a few different forms of 17 - 17 - 17 fertilizer to take from . Knowing how these fertilizer equate to each other will allow you to make the practiced pick for your lawn and garden .
Powder
pulverisation 17 - 17 - 17 plant food is one of the most readily available signifier . It ’s also one of the cheapest , and can easily be applied by using a manner of walking - behind programme broadcaster . Powder fertilizers are body of water - soluble . Simply apply the powder to your greensward then weewee it well with a garden sprinkler to activate it . Powder 17 - 17 - 17 is fast - acting , which can be a sound matter , particularly if your lawn is show signs of nutritionary deficiencies and needs a speedy boost . The only downside to this type of fertilizer is that its effects are relatively short - lived .
Slow-release granules
Unlike pulverization 17 - 17 - 17 , slow - acquittance granule fertilizers are break down by the microbes in the soil over a longer period of metre , thus preventing the speedy assimilation of nutrient . deadening - liberation granules can be applied using a take the air - behind broadcast broadcaster . However , these fertilizers take to sit down for a period of 48 hr after practical program before being watered . Slow - release granules remain effective for 30 to 90 twenty-four hour period . While these types of fertiliser can keep your lawn fed longer , they may not be the salutary pick for a lawn that requires immediate aid .
Liquid concentrate
Like powder 17 - 17 - 17 , liquid concentrate is comparatively fast - acting , so it ’s a great plant food for lawn that take a quick perk - me - up . It ’s best to apply liquid fertilizer to lawns that have moderately dry dirt , so it can plume it up quickly . H2O - impregnate grease have limited pore space . Liquid fertilizers may run off an overwatered lawn , depict them useless , so you ’ll need to contrive consequently to avoid liquidate your money . you could find smooth 17 - 17 - 17 fertilizers that are premixed and quick to be hold , but some fluent concentrates need to be thin before program . Be sure to follow the manufacturer ’s instruction to a tetraiodothyronine to obviate burning your lawn .
Fertilizer spikes
Fertilizer spikes can be expensive , especially if you have a big yard to feast . But they ’re the most pet - safe option available . Simply apply a hammer to drive the spikes into the ground , tapping them down below the aerofoil where the nutrient can be delivered direct into the soil without coating foliage . Fertilizer spikes are another slow - release option , great for providing your lawn with long - last nutriment . They ’re also fantastic for fecundate individual plants , like the tree diagram , shrubs , and flowers in your landscaping .
How and when should you apply 17-17-17 fertilizer?
Once you ’ve determined that a 17 - 17 - 17 fertilizer is the right one for you , there are still a few things you ’ll require to factor into consideration before applying it . Knowing how and when you should utilise this eccentric of fertilizer allows you to support your lawn and garden ’s public presentation , while also enabling you to get the most bang for your buck .
Lawns
you’re able to get feeding your lawn in spring , preferably just as the grass starts coming in . When plants ruin out of their wintertime quiescence , they get “ thirsty ” , so to talk . They want plenty of nutrient to help them wake back up .
By fertilizing your sprouting grass , you ’ll be ensuring that it has all of the vital mineral it needs to cover your yard in a buddy-buddy green carpet , without leaving any yellow or mere spots . It ’s also significant to apply a plant food anytime you reseed your lawn , regardless of the time of year , to help the grass get established apace .
Avoid apply your 17 - 17 - 17 fertilizer in the first light or just after rainwater . If the grass is stiff when you spread it , the fertiliser will stick to the blades and sunburn your grass . So hold back until a dry afternoon to fecundate your lawn , and be indisputable to water it well later so it can seep into the soil and do its job .
If your lawn is yellow and growing poorly, do a soil test to determine if 17-17-17 fertilizer can help.
Unlike13 - 13 - 13 fertilizer , which should be reapplied every 8 to 10 weeks , 17 - 17 - 17 ordinarily only require to be applied once or twice a time of year . correspond your grunge ’s N - atomic number 15 - K proportion again in late summer to determine whether or not you ’ll need to go for another rung in the crepuscule . A salutary rule of pollex is to hold 5.8 pounds of 17 - 17 - 17 fertilizer per 1,000 square feet , but anonline fertilizer calculatorcan facilitate you check just how much you ’ll need to give to your own lawn .
Flowers and shrubs
you may enforce 17 - 17 - 17 fertilizer to your ornamental plants in the spring to elevate healthy growth . you could also use it anytime you notice signs of nitrogen , atomic number 15 , or potassium deficiency , disregarding of the time of year . As with your lawn , it ’s good to test the soil before employ fertilizer to avoid causing even more price .
Using 17 - 17 - 17 to feed your flower and shrubs equips them with the nitrogen they postulate to produce healthy leafage , the phosphorus they need to bloom and germinate strong root system of rules , and the potassium they need to hold up in extreme weather condition . If your cosmetic industrial plant have been underperforming in late years , feeding them with 17 - 17 - 17 fertiliser is a capital starting stop , and will put them on the way of life to better wellness .
To apply fertilizer to set up plant , keep an eye on the manufacturer ’s direction . If practice a pulverisation fertilizer , use a pot fork or hand trowel to rip mulch away from the base of the plant , and to work the plant food into the ground . Be careful not to disturb any of the plant ’s roots , and apply gloves so you do n’t risk getting the fertiliser on your cutis . When you ’re done , water the plant thoroughly to activate the fertilizer , and substitute the mulch to help seal in the wet and nutrients .
Use a broadcast spreader to spread powder 17-17-17 fertilizer.
Trees
Because it ’s a general - function plant food , 17 - 17 - 17 is dependable to use around the trees in your railyard . As long as you follow the manufacturer ’s directions , the fertilizer should n’t burn the tree ’s roots . If you ’re using a fertilizer to feed a tree , as pit to feeding your lawn , spread the fertilizer to the edge of the tree diagram ’s dripline , being careful to avoid any exposed radical , if possible . Be certain to water the tree well when you ’re done give the fertilizer .
you may apply 17 - 17 - 17 fertilizer to fee fruit trees , although it may not be an idealistic option . yield trees take more nitrogen in spring to kickstart growth , but they switch gears as metre goes on and total to bank on heavier doses of atomic number 15 to help them develop flowers and fruits . So debate purchasing a fruit Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree - specific fertiliser to raise yield .
Garden fruits and vegetables
Once your seedling have pullulate and you’vemoved them to their lasting homein your garden , you could lend a small dose of fertilizer to boost growth . Ensure the seedling have developed 4 to 6 set of truthful leave before applying fertilizer . Young industrial plant , particularly ones that havejust been transplant , are susceptible to root sunburn .
To use 17 - 17 - 17 to tip the plants in your veg garden , simply follow the direction on the packaging . One program in springiness should be all your garden plants need to do well . A 17 - 17 - 17 fertilizer provides vegetable with plentiful dot of the basic elements they call for to produce , so it ’s a good choice .
It ’s deserving mention that some vegetable require more of one mineral than they do of others . tomato , for instance , trust on phosphorus to produce more than they do potassium and N , so a phosphorus - ponderous plant food may work intimately for them . Meanwhile , leafy leafy vegetable , like spinach plant , roquette , andkale , tend to expend more nitrogen than anything else , so a atomic number 7 - rich substance like manure is often a better option .
Avoid applying liquid fertilizer to overly wet soils to prevent runoff.
To ensure your vegetable garden has everything it ask to boom , we recommend testing your soil in front of meter so you’re able to choose the right fertilizer .
Houseplants
Because 17 - 17 - 17 fertilizer is so virile , it ’s not the best food for house plant . Yourpeace liliesandphilodendronswill in all likelihood favour something a fleck fallible , like 1 - 1 - 1 or 3 - 3 - 3 fertiliser instead . If you ’re having trouble dog one of these fertilizer down , you could make 17 - 17 - 17 study in a tinge . Just be sure to dilute the fertilizer to a one-quarter of its strength before applying .
Remember to only feed your houseplant when they are actively growing . fecundate plants during their hibernating period of time is not only a waste of money since the plants wo n’t plume up the nutrients during this time , but it can also end up burn the root as these minerals ride in the soil fresh .
Transplanting
Some gardeners fertilize plant during transplant by mixing the feed into the loose terra firma before backfilling around them . This method acting can encourage the plant to become established more quickly . But , done incorrectly , it can burn the plant ’s root and seriously stunt its growth .
To fertilize plant during transplantation , habituate the recommended dose on the manufacturer ’s label . If you ’re using a powder or granule , you may crop the fertilizer into the land before fill up in around the plant . Be sure to water the ground well afterward to remove zephyr pockets and break up the fertilizer . Check the plant regularly and keep the soil moist , but not sopping wet , over the next three weeks . Insufficient H2O breathing in is a lead cause oftransplant shock , but it ’s light enough to prevent .
If you ’re using plant food spikes or liquid dressed ore , then transfer the plant as normal and lend oneself the fertilizer afterward . conceive spreading a bed of mulch equally around the stand of the plant to keep the soil damp . Fertilizers swear on weewee to act , so keeping the ground moist is critical . Avoid creating a “ vent ” with the mulch , as this suffocates plants .
Feed lawns in spring to maximize growth.
If you ’re unexampled to horticulture , or if you ’re just concerned that 17 - 17 - 17 may burn the theme of your young transplant , regard feed in them with a natural alternative . of age manure , louse castings , andhomemade compostprovide juvenile plants with ample sustenance without harm developing roots .
When should you avoid using 17-17-17 fertilizer?
As a general - function fertilizer , 17 - 17 - 17 is appropriate for many occasions . But it ’s not a magic solution for every problem . If you ’ve examine your land and found that it ’s in reality quite fertile , then there ’s no need to fertilize with such a hard mix . You ’re good off using something weaker , like 5 - 5 - 5 , or else . Using a robust plant food on soil that ’s already alimentary - dull can prevent flowers from flower and can even change the dirt ’s pH. So , when it comes to fertiliser , always habituate the lowly amount potential , and never habituate something potent than you need .
If your at - home mental test has revealed that your native soil is productive in morning star and atomic number 19 , but low in atomic number 7 , you may demand a atomic number 7 - only fertilizer , like 13 - 0 - 0 . Phosphorus - only and potassium - only fertiliser are also available to help you occupy in all of the gaps in your grunge ’s nutritional makeup .
Does 17-17-17 fertilizer alter soil pH?
Commercial fertilizers , 17 - 17 - 17 included , can alter your soil ’s pH scale slightly over time , but this is n’t needfully a unsound thing . Nitrogen , for instance , tends to have a neutralizing effecton a soil ’s pH. Whether your aboriginal grease is slightly acidulent or somewhat alkaline , wreak it into the basic range do it more suitable for a wider variety of plants because neutral soils maximise nutrient availableness .
Of course , there are two side to every coin . While commercial fertilizers can influence soil pH , stain pH can shape the efficaciousness of commercial fertilizers , too . For instance , stain that are too acidic or too alkaline canrender phosphorus useless , as this factor reacts to the smoothing iron , manganese , and zinc in the soil , and becomes unabsorbable . Even the filler used in commercial plant food can neuter the ground ’s constitution over the years .
The fact that commercial plant food can transfer your soil ’s pH is n’t necessarily a cause for concern and it should n’t prevent you from using them to feed your plants . However , the fact that fertilizers can influence territory pH is something that you should be cognizant of and serves to emphasize the grandness of test your soil once or twice every season .
Apply 17-17-17 fertilizer to improve soil N-P-K ratio for flowers and shrubs.
Does 17-17-17 fertilizer prevent weeds?
Fertilizing your lawn has many benefits , one of which is mourning band ascendency . Using a 17 - 17 - 17 fertilizer on your lawn helps forestall the spread of weeds in a roundabout way . By open your grass all of the nutrients it need to thrive , the greensward can fill in cursorily , snuffing out blowball , crabgrass , and other unsightly plants . This saves you time and labor in the retentive running .
The same can be allege for bloom seam . By give your ornamental plants that extra sexually transmitted disease of nutrients , they ’ll have an edge over surrounding weeds . Fertilizer also helps supersede nutrient lost over time due to weed remotion .
Does 17-17-17 aid in pest control and disease prevention?
Using 17 - 17 - 17 fertilizer also help plants ward off pests , whether you apply it to fertilise yourhydrangeas , yourbasil , or yourestablished Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Plants rely on N , atomic number 15 , and potassium to wield levelheaded immune system . Sick plants do n’t have the resources to fight off insects and if they ’re underperforming when they ’re hit with a bacterial or fungal contagion , their chances of outlive these diseases plump .
The fashion a plant looks is a observation of its overall health . Feeding plants annually does n’t just enhance their appearance , it also better the way they function so they can always be at their effective . Using 17 - 17 - 17 helps plants fight off blight , mildew , and other contagion . flora that are fed on a regular basis have a much easier clip recuperate from diseases and plague , too .
Tips for using 17-17-17 fertilizer effectively
Your soil ’s pauperization change from season to time of year . Nitrogen , daystar , and K can alter the soil ’s pH over time , as can the fillers used in commercial-grade fertilizers . Just because your lawn benefited from 17 - 17 - 17 plant food one year does n’t entail it will always benefit from it . So be sure to try out your soil every spring so you’re able to give your lawn exactly what it necessitate to maintain that sodding 8:2:5 proportion .
When using fertilizer , take care to avoid implement them near streams , river , pool , lake , and even drainage ditch . Nitrogen plant food enhance eutrophication , a sudden burst in phytoplankton action that can have devastating effect on the farming industriousness as well as your realm ’s ecosystem . So abstain from fertilise your lawn before and after heavy rain to prevent the fertilizer from contaminating local water informant .
Once you understand your filth ’s singular makeup , you ’ll be ready to pick the perfect fertiliser . A 17 - 17 - 17 fertiliser is an splendid all - purpose alternative , whether you need to flow the flowers and shrubs in your landscaping , the fruits and vegetables in your garden , or the dope and trees on your lawn .
17-17-17 fertilizer is safe to use on trees.
17-17-17 fertilizer can be used to feed a variety of crops.
Diluted 17-17-17 can be used to feed houseplants if necessary.
Fertilizing plants during transplantation helps them get established quickly.
Fertilizing nutrient-rich soils is unnecessary, and may do more harm than good.
A well-fed lawn fills in quickly, snuffing out pesky weeds.
17-17-17 fertilizer supports healthy immune function so plants can ward off pests and diseases.
