A common misconception about plant care is that plants require fertilizer for proper nutrition. Plants do need nutrients, but they don’t necessarily need fertilizer. Plants use their leaves to make food from water, sunlight, carbon dioxide and nutrients. Nutrients in the soil are necessary for structure, regulating metabolism, growth and reproduction. Some key nutrients for plants include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron.

If a plant is appropriate for the soil and site where it is located, it may not require additional nutrients from fertilization. Fertilizers are generally used to achieve a specific goal: more of larger blooms, faster growth, greener leaves or more fruit. If one of these is your goal, you basically have three choices: using compost, applying packaged fertilizer or applying a specific mineral, such as iron.

A great way to improve your soil is by adding compost. This also recycles yard waste. When added to your soil, it can create the perfect medium for sustained plant health. The best management practice of adding compost to your home landscape:

• Improves soil texture and structure, resulting in improved drainage and aeration.
• Helps loosen compacted soils.
• Promotes soil fertility and stimulates root development.
• Creates a favorable environment for microorganism activity.

BMP Checklist:

• Locate a site to compost in your yard.
• Maintain a balance between leaves and grass clippings in your compost pile.
• Monitor compost moisture levels.
• Turn the compost pile as needed.