Can Miracle-Gro Vegetable Fertilizer Be Used on Plants?

Vegetable Fertilizer

• Vegetable gardens typically require regular applications of nitrogen, and phosphorus and potassium help promote other aspects of vegetable plant health. Not surprisingly, therefore, fertilizers labeled for vegetable gardens, including the Miracle-Gro vegetable fertilizer, often contain these three nutrients.

  However, all plants require nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in relatively large quantities, so most fertilizers contain most or all of these nutrients. (See References 2) Furthermore, even vegetable plants can benefit from more selective fertilizer applications rather than feeding the entire garden with a single product. (See References 1)

Soil Tests

• When deciding if you should use Miracle-Gro vegetable fertilizer on other plants in your garden, it's best to look at specific nutrient amounts and consider what you plants need. You should begin with a routine soil test, which will identify any nutrient deficiencies. Since nitrogen and phosphorus can cause water pollution, you'll want to avoid applying fertilizers high in nitrogen and phosphorus if you don't need them. Miracle-Gro vegetable fertilizers typically contain both nitrogen and phosphorus.

Nutrient Needs

• Next, consider the needs of the plant you're trying to grow. In many cases, specific plants grow best with particular fertilizer formulations. These instructions may come with the plant, or you can learn more about specific plant needs from experienced nursery staff or local cooperative extensions. For example, too much nitrogen can encourage rot diseases in irises, so if your soil contains adequate nitrogen, Miracle-Gro vegetable food, which contains nitrogen, isn't the best choice in fertilizers for this plant. If a plant you're growing doesn't have specific requirements, consider the type of growth you want to encourage. Nitrogen promotes leafy growth, often at the expense of flower and fruit production. Phosphorus helps the development of roots, flowers and fruits; potassium helps protect plants from stress.

Cautions

• Before you round up all the unused fertilizers in your garden shed and start applying them to other plants in your garden, look out for a few products that can harm your plants. Lawn fertilizers labeled as "weed and feed" are not for use in vegetable gardens or landscapes, as they contain herbicides that can harm your plants.

  Unless a soil test shows a need for phosphorus on your lawn, avoid applying fertilizers high in phosphorus to your lawn, as it can contribute to water pollution. In general, avoid applying high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus unless justified by a soil test. (See References 3)