Fertilizers2023-10-10T17:49:43+00:00

FEED YOUR PLANTS

Fertilizers

At Hunters Garden Centre we carry a selection of all-purpose and specialty fertilizers for all indoor and outdoor plants.

When plants are actively growing, they need a steady supply of nutrients. Although our soils contain many of the nutrients that plants need, it is necessary to supplement them as they grow – similar to how humans need vitamins to help them grow!

As well, the heavy rains in our coastal area wash away much of the mineral content of the soil each year. It is important to remember that the needs of a plant change throughout the growing season too.

Fertilizer is important for every plant because healthy plants require less maintenance and are more resistant to disease. Providing the right nutrients in a balanced amount is imperative for a successful garden.

Keep reading for a list of fertilizer brands we carry at Hunters Garden Centre as well as our information brochure on fertilizer and lime.

garden supplies fertilizer feature

Different Types of Fertilizer Brands We Carry At Hunters Garden Centre

These are the fertilizer brands we carry at Hunters Garden Centre. If you are looking for a specific fertilizer, please visit or call us!

fertilizer evergro

Evergro Fertilizer

fertilizer miracle gro

Miracle Gro

fertilizer gaia green

Gaia Green (Orgnaic)

fertilizer schultz

Schultz

fertilizer jobes

Jobe’s

fertilizer kelp man

Kelp Man (Organic)

fertilizer alaska fish

Alaska Fish Fertilizer & Morbloom (Orgnaic)

fertilizer garden pro

Garden Pro

fertilizer organique

Organique

KNOW YOUR FERTILIZERS

Fertilizer vs Lime

Fertilizer

When plants are actively growing they need a steady supply of nutrients. Although our soils contain many of the nutrients that plants need it is necessary to supplement them as they grow. In addition the heavy rains in the coastal area wash away much of the mineral content of the soil is each year. But remember that a plants needs change during the growing season.

Depending on the crop we add specific or general fertilizers that contain Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and/or Potash expressed as N-P-K. The amount of each is expressed as a percentage of each component (ex. 6-8-6 has 6% Nitrogen, 8 % Phosphorous, and 6% Potassium). As well as these basic elements quality fertilizers contain micronutrients such as Boron, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, and Sulphur and others. The rest of the fertilizer is made up of filler which is mostly organic matter.

Nitrogen

  • Gives leaves their green colour
  • Induces rapid growth
  • Increases yields of leaves
  • Increases protein content of food crops
  • Feeds soil micro-organisms during their decomposition of low Nitrogen organic materials

Phosphorous

  • Stimulates root development
  • Stimulates blooming and aids in seed formation
  • Gives rapid and vigorous start to plants
  • Is extremely important to germinating seedlings

Potassium

  • Produces strong stiff stems and stalks
  • Imparts increased vigor and disease resistance
  • Increases plumpness of seeds
  • Imparts winter hardiness to legumes and other crops

Inorganic fertilizers are made from synthetic substances with concentrated amounts of specific nutrients. You see almost instant results as the nutrients are immediately available.

Organic fertilizers are made from the remains of by-products of once living organisms. They release their nutrients more slowly.

Dry fertilizers come as powders, granules, or pellets that can be spread on the ground. Many are time-release types that break down over several months.

Liquid fertilizers are sold as crystals, granules, or liquid concentrates that need to be mixed with water before applying by watering or spraying on the foliage. They need to be applied frequently as their nutrients wash away rapidly.

Lime

Lime is a soil conditioner, not a fertilizer. Lime changes the pH of soil. pH ranges from 0 (totally acidic) to 14 (totally alkaline). Most plants prefer a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Some plants such as Rhododendrons and Blueberries prefer acidic soil (pH 4.0 to 5.5). A high pH (above 7.0) or low pH (below 4.0) reduces a plants ability to absorb nutrients from the soil.

Here in the Pacific Northwest the soil is naturally acidic and therefore we need to add lime to our garden beds to provide adequate growing conditions. Lime neutralizes pH, meaning that it raises low pH or lowers high pH, bringing it closer to 7.0. Lime provides the following benefits to your garden:

  • Neutralizes soil acidity
  • Supplies calcium and magnesium
  • Speeds the decay of organic matter
  • Increases the fixation of nitrogen by soil and plant organisms
  • Improves crop yield
  • Improves the physical properties of soils
  • Reduces the activity of toxic substances in the soil

The most common form of lime for gardens is Dolomite lime. Dolomite lime is a natural form of lime that contains calcium and magnesium. Dolomite lime should be applied to your garden and lawns during the fall and early spring months. We sell Dolomite lime in granules, and pellets.

Vegetable crops benefit from the addition of lime, especially tomatoes. Lime can help prevent Tomato blight and blossom end rot. It is recommended that you add a small amount of lime to your tomato plants once a month during the growing season.

leaf test 2

KNOW YOUR FERTILIZERS

Fertilizer vs Lime

Fertilizer

When plants are actively growing they need a steady supply of nutrients. Although our soils contain many of the nutrients that plants need it is necessary to supplement them as they grow. In addition the heavy rains in the coastal area wash away much of the mineral content of the soil is each year. But remember that a plants needs change during the growing season.

Depending on the crop we add specific or general fertilizers that contain Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and/or Potash expressed as N-P-K. The amount of each is expressed as a percentage of each component (ex. 6-8-6 has 6% Nitrogen, 8 % Phosphorous, and 6% Potassium). As well as these basic elements quality fertilizers contain micronutrients such as Boron, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, and Sulphur and others. The rest of the fertilizer is made up of filler which is mostly organic matter.

Nitrogen

  • Gives leaves their green colour
  • Induces rapid growth
  • Increases yields of leaves
  • Increases protein content of food crops
  • Feeds soil micro-organisms during their decomposition of low Nitrogen organic materials

Phosphorous

  • Stimulates root development
  • Stimulates blooming and aids in seed formation
  • Gives rapid and vigorous start to plants
  • Is extremely important to germinating seedlings

Potassium

  • Produces strong stiff stems and stalks
  • Imparts increased vigor and disease resistance
  • Increases plumpness of seeds
  • Imparts winter hardiness to legumes and other crops

Inorganic fertilizers are made from synthetic substances with concentrated amounts of specific nutrients. You see almost instant results as the nutrients are immediately available.

Organic fertilizers are made from the remains of by-products of once living organisms. They release their nutrients more slowly.

Dry fertilizers come as powders, granules, or pellets that can be spread on the ground. Many are time-release types that break down over several months.

Liquid fertilizers are sold as crystals, granules, or liquid concentrates that need to be mixed with water before applying by watering or spraying on the foliage. They need to be applied frequently as their nutrients wash away rapidly.

Lime

Lime is a soil conditioner, not a fertilizer. Lime changes the pH of soil. pH ranges from 0 (totally acidic) to 14 (totally alkaline). Most plants prefer a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Some plants such as Rhododendrons and Blueberries prefer acidic soil (pH 4.0 to 5.5). A high pH (above 7.0) or low pH (below 4.0) reduces a plants ability to absorb nutrients from the soil.

Here in the Pacific Northwest the soil is naturally acidic and therefore we need to add lime to our garden beds to provide adequate growing conditions. Lime neutralizes pH, meaning that it raises low pH or lowers high pH, bringing it closer to 7.0. Lime provides the following benefits to your garden:

  • Neutralizes soil acidity
  • Supplies calcium and magnesium
  • Speeds the decay of organic matter
  • Increases the fixation of nitrogen by soil and plant organisms
  • Improves crop yield
  • Improves the physical properties of soils
  • Reduces the activity of toxic substances in the soil

The most common form of lime for gardens is Dolomite lime. Dolomite lime is a natural form of lime that contains calcium and magnesium. Dolomite lime should be applied to your garden and lawns during the fall and early spring months. We sell Dolomite lime in granules, and pellets.

Vegetable crops benefit from the addition of lime, especially tomatoes. Lime can help prevent Tomato blight and blossom end rot. It is recommended that you add a small amount of lime to your tomato plants once a month during the growing season.

leaf test 2

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