What Is a General Purpose Fertilizer?

An all-purpose fertilizer is a type of fertilizer that includes adequate amounts of the three core chemicals to ensure proper growth: nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (NPK). ... An all-purpose fertilizer may also be known as a general-purpose fertilizer.

What is a good general purpose fertilizer?

Fertilizer Selection

Most gardeners should use a complete fertilizer with twice as much phosphorus as nitrogen or potassium. An example would be 10-20-10 or 12-24-12. These fertilizers usually are easy to find. Some soils contain enough potassium for good plant growth and don't need more.

What is the main purpose of fertilizer?

Fertilizers supplement essential nutrients in the soil needed by all plants for healthy, vigorous growth. Contrary to popular belief, fertilizers are not plant food. Plants manufacture their own food from water and carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. Fertilizers instead provide the nutrients plants need to grow.

Marcus Vance

Marcus Vance

Cybersecurity & Digital Privacy Researcher

Marcus Vance is a cybersecurity auditor and technology writer dedicated to educating the public about online safety, data privacy regulations, enterprise security, and emerging cyber threats.