In the garden, as in life, balance is key. So when it comes to fertilizer, don’t opt for a single nutrient. Rather, look at the big picture of what your plants need at any given time of year—and remember that they may have different needs during each season.

Best Bloom Booster

Best Bloom Booster

Phosphorus is necessary for flower and fruit development. It is used up quickly by plants, so make sure you add it every time you fertilize your garden. Add phosphorus when the plants are in their active growing stage, usually mid-spring to early summer.

Bloom boosters, or phosphorus (P) fertilizers, are often used exclusively in the spring to give plants a boost as they emerge from winter and begin to flower. For most plants, however, a complete fertilizer is better for overall health.

Why Are Bloom Boosters Bad?

The problem with bloom boosters is that they lack important nutrients like nitrogen and potassium. These are essential for growth throughout the season; without them your plants will suffer.

What’s more: Bloom boosters contain too much of a single nutrient without including any of the others required for optimal growth throughout the season. How do I know if my plant needs phosphorus?

Phosphate-boosting fertilizer isn’t the best for your plants’ long-term health.

Phosphate-boosting fertilizer is not the best option for your plants’ long-term health. Phosphorous is the most important nutrient in bloom booster products and, indeed, all fertilizers. However, it’s important to note that phosphate isn’t a complete fertilizer and doesn’t contain nitrogen either—which means you’ll have to add more chemicals if you want your plants to get those nutrients from their soils.

Finally, consider this: If you’re using a bloom booster product with high quantities of phosphorus (as many do), then excess phosphorous may build up over time as your plants take it out of the soil and store it within themselves as energy reserves for blooming seasons ahead. This can lead to nutrient imbalances in your garden that could damage your plant growth over time.

As you can see, phosphate-boosting fertilizer is not the best option for your plants’ long-term health. While it may give them a boost in the short term, it doesn’t provide everything they need to grow strong and healthy over time. We recommend using a complete fertilizer with slow-release nutrients that will give your plants what they need all season long. If you have any questions about which type of fertilizer is right for you,