It’s not always easy to keep your lawn lush, flowers blooming, and garden fruitful without fertilizer. Figuring out what type to pick is almost like trying to win the lotto, especially with all the numbers involved.
You may have a whole slew of questions and concerns, like when is 16-16-16 fertilizer best and how to use a triple 16 fertilizer. Let’s jump right in so I can answer those burning questions and walk you through how to read a standard fertilizer label yourself.
Understanding Fertilizer Labels
Fertilizer labels display the percentage of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) that they contain. A 16-16-16 N-P-K ratio means there is 16% each of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These basic elements are essential when it comes to improving soil and encouraging healthy plant growth.
The three numbers found on the packaging of most fertilizers are known as the N-P-K ratio. These numbers differ from one fertilizer to another and each specific ratio is ideal for the needs and growing attributes of varying plants.
Here’s a closer look at why plants need these three vital macronutrients.
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Nitrogen (N)
Plants rely on nitrogen for almost everything they need to survive and thrive, including their food and water supply. This macronutrient can give plants a rich, green color.
Only three elements are more prevalent in plants than nitrogen. These are carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
Phosphorus (P)
Phosphorus supports plants by regulating the amount of protein a plant makes. While this obviously promotes growth and development, it’s also important for healthy roots and winter tolerance. That said, phosphorus can help plants mature faster during the early stages of growth.
Potassium (K)
Plants need potassium to support growth, primarily by assisting with how water moves nutrients through the plant itself. It helps regulate intake to optimal levels for growth and develops starch levels while slowing how diseases advance through the plant tissue.
What Is Triple 16 Fertilizer Used For?
Triple 16 fertilizer — the common name for a 16-16-16 ratio — can be used on plants, trees, shrubs, vegetable gardens, flower beds, and lawns where a balanced mixture of nutrients is required to enrich the soil and help plants to thrive.
Why Use A Balanced Fertilizer?
A balanced fertilizer is great if your soil is not lacking in any of the three vital macronutrients. It’s also perfect for vegetation that doesn’t require a specific boost of either nitrogen, phosphorous, or potassium.
For example, lawns typically need additional nitrogen to enhance their vibrant, lush greenness. On the other hand, a fertilizer for tomatoes and other such vining fruits needs a higher dose of phosphorous to encourage the onset of buds and fruits.
Balanced feeds such as 16-16-16, 10-10-10, or 20-20-20 fertilizer work well for container plants because these plants deplete the soil faster than those in the ground.
Use a balanced fertilizer to help maintain soil pH and prevent a deficiency in either acidity or alkaline.
16-16-16 vs 14-14-14 Fertilizer
The only difference between a Triple 16 and a Triple 14 fertilizer is the concentration of nutrients in the blend. The higher the numbers in the N-P-K ratio, the higher the dose of macronutrients that will be administered.
Likewise, if your plants are thriving and need a gentle balance of macronutrients, opt for the lower concentration to avoid damage or over-fertilization.
Fertilizer Types
Now that you understand what Triple 16 fertilizer means, it’s time to decide which type you should use. Each fertilizer type has advantages and disadvantages. But it’s also important to choose the one you feel the most comfortable handling.
Liquid Concentrate
Liquid concentrates come in bottles, making it easy to store what you don’t use. You have to dilute the concentrate with water before applying it. Using a liquid concentrate requires a spray attachment for your hose or a watering jug.
According to Michigan State University, there are several advantages to using liquid concentrates. For example, you get an even application since every drop has the same amount of nutrients. Additionally, liquid concentrates are easy to use and work fast, so you should notice a difference within a few days.
Unfortunately, because this type of fertilizer releases nutrients so quickly, the effects might only last for a few weeks up to a month, meaning you need to reapply it more frequently.
Liquid concentrates are also prone to run-off. This can be potentially harmful to the environment, wildlife, and water sources in the adjacent area.
Liquid concentrates tend to cost more over time because of having to purchase them more frequently.
Water-Soluble Powder
Water-soluble powders work much like liquid concentrates because you mix them in water and apply them the same way.
In my experience, these powder fertilizers tend to be more affordable per application than comparable liquid concentrates.
Take care and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. For example, always wear a mask when pouring and mixing to avoid the potential for inhalation of dust particles.
Slow-Release Granules
Slow-release granules are water-soluble but they break down over time to gradually release the nutrients into the soil. Simply spread them over the desired area using a fertilizer spreader and water the area well. The granules will provide nutrients to the soil for several months.
The pros of using a slow-release granule include less chance of burning the vegetation than other soluble fertilizers, and the long-lasting effects mean fewer applications per year.
While it might take a little longer to notice the impact, the effects typically last 2 to 9 months.
While the slow-release granules sound like the winning solution, be aware that there are a few drawbacks. First, the nutrients might not reach the roots as quickly.
The other issue is that individual granules might have variable nutrient quantities as it’s not a homogeneous mixture but a blend.
Fertilizer Spikes
Fertilizer spikes are an easy, convenient option, especially for small spaces. All you have to do is stick the spike into the wet soil. They work relatively fast, with results showing up in about a week.
The downside to using fertilizer spikes is that they only work in a concentrated area, so they only benefit those roots closest to them and you need to use more of them for larger areas or mature trees and shrubs.
You also have to space them carefully to avoid burning out the area. Typically, this will be about 3 feet apart but always check your specific fertilizer for instructions.
How and When To Use Triple 16 Fertilizer
Triple 16 is a solid choice when you need an all-purpose, balanced fertilizer, especially if you have one of the more challenging soil types, like clay or sand.
It’s generally safe for most vegetation and will help to establish a good root system and encourage healthy growth.
Trees and Shrubs
Once established, a balanced feed will suffice for trees and shrubs. If mature plants exhibit deficiency – usually yellowing of leaves – use a high nitrogen fertilizer to improve the vibrancy and promote new growth.
Fruit Trees
Fruit trees grown in planters notoriously drain nutrients quicker than those grown in the ground thanks to the regular leaching that occurs after watering.
Use a balanced 16-16-16 fertilizer to replenish those lost and depleted nutrients regularly.
Flowers
While a Triple 16 fertilizer will provide flowering plants with a balance of nutrients and some beautiful foliage, it may hinder a showstopping display of blooms. Instead, use a lower ratio of nitrogen, such as a 5-10-10 fertilizer, to get the most out of flowering shrubs and plants.
The higher ratio of phosphorous and potassium to nitrogen will encourage bud development and resistance to disease.
Vegetable Gardens
Using a Triple 16 fertilizer at the start of the growing season, along with adding mulch and compost to the soil, will help to add depleted nutrients to the soil that may have been lost during the previous year.
When new growth begins, all vegetables will benefit from a boost of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to establish roots, promote foliage growth, and set buds. Indeed, many vegetable plants do perfectly well with a balanced N-P-K fertilizer such as a 16-16-16 formula, especially at the start of the growing season.
Bear in mind that you should opt for a specific fertilizer for pumpkins, tomatoes, and other vining plants. These need a higher ratio of phosphorus and potassium as the season progresses. This helps with the all-important bud onset and development of large and plentiful fruits come harvest time.
Houseplants
Houseplants can be trickier than their outdoor counterparts. Typically, houseplants live in smaller containers meaning that any fertilizer would be more concentrated in the space. While a Triple 16 fertilizer should work for some hardier houseplants, it might be too much for more delicate varieties.
For houseplants, it’s important to follow the directions for each species to ensure you give them the best soil conditions possible. However, if you like the idea of one fertilizer for everything, you could use a 12-12-12 fertilizer or dilute a 19-19-19 fertilizer to weaken it.
Lawn and Grass
Triple 16 fertilizers can support lawn growth and make the grass greener. While this is a great fertilizer for all-around plant health, especially if you can’t get your soil tested, it isn’t the absolute best for grass as lawns don’t need as much phosphorous as blooming plants.
Instead, consider using a high nitrogen liquid lawn fertilizer that will provide you with the greenest and most vibrant turf.
Final Thoughts On 16-16-16 Fertilizers
Choosing the best fertilizer for your yard can be challenging, especially with so many brands clamoring for your money. Doing a little research in advance can save you a lot of stress in the long run.
Now you know that a 16-16-16 fertilizer is a balanced blend that works for most vegetation. If you only have a few flowers, shrubs, or trees and a large lawn, this fertilizer might not be the optimal choice.
However, if you have a little bit of everything, including some already nutrient-rich soil, a Triple 16 fertilizer could save you a lot of time and money.
