General Vegetable Fertilizer Schedule
Vegetable Feeding Schedule to guide your fertilizing routine throughout the growing season. This plan is designed for Zone 6–10 gardens but can be adjusted for your specific zone or crop needs.
| Stage | Timeframe | What to Apply | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Planting | 2–4 weeks before sowing/transplanting | Compost or aged manure; balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) | Improves soil structure and provides baseline nutrients |
| Seedling Stage | 1–2 weeks after emergence or transplant | Diluted liquid fertilizer (fish emulsion, ½ strength synthetic 10-10-10) | Encourages early root and leaf development |
| Vegetative Growth | Every 2–3 weeks (early growing season) | Higher nitrogen (e.g., 20-5-10) or compost tea | Supports leafy growth, especially for greens |
| Pre-Flowering/Fruiting | When buds form (approx. 4–6 weeks in) | Low nitrogen, higher phosphorus/potassium (e.g., 5-10-10, bone meal, kelp meal) | Promotes blooms, fruits, and strong roots |
| Fruiting Stage | Every 2–3 weeks during fruiting | Tomato or vegetable fertilizer (e.g., 5-10-10); add potassium if needed (wood ash, kelp) | Sustains fruit growth and disease resistance |
| Late Season | 2–4 weeks before final harvest | Compost tea or mild organic feed (if needed) | Helps with final fruit/veg maturity |
| Post-Harvest | After final harvest | Compost or cover crop (green manure) | Replenishes nutrients and prepares soil |
Categories of Fertilizers
There are three basic types of fertilizers used in gardening, categorized by their composition and source:
1. Organic Fertilizers
Derived from natural sources, like plants, animals, or minerals. They improve soil structure and microbial activity over time.
Examples:
Compost – decomposed plant matter
Manure – animal waste (chicken, cow, horse, etc.)
Bone meal – ground animal bones (high in phosphorus)
Blood meal – dried animal blood (rich in nitrogen)
Fish emulsion – liquid fish byproduct (balanced nutrients)
Seaweed/Kelp – micronutrient-rich
Pros:
Environmentally friendly
Improves soil health
Slow-release
Cons:
Slower acting
Nutrient content can be variable
2. Inorganic (Synthetic/Chemical) Fertilizers
Manufactured through chemical processes, they provide nutrients in immediately available forms.
Common Types:
Granular fertilizers – slow- or quick-release, applied to soil
Water-soluble fertilizers – mixed with water for fast uptake
Slow-release coated pellets – release nutrients over time
NPK Examples:
10-10-10: Balanced general-purpose
20-5-10: High-nitrogen for leafy growth
5-10-10: For flowering/fruiting plants
Pros:
Fast results
Precise nutrient content
Cons:
Can lead to salt buildup
No improvement to soil structure
Risk of over-fertilization (burning plants)
3. Mixed (Blended) Fertilizers
A combination of organic and inorganic components, designed to balance the benefits of both.
Example:
Organic base with added synthetic NPK for faster action
Pros:
Balanced approach
Improved soil health with quicker results
Cons:
May still contain synthetic chemicals
Cost can be higher than either type alone
Understanding N-P-K:
Most fertilizers list three numbers (e.g., 10-10-10):
N (Nitrogen): Leafy growth
P (Phosphorus): Root development, flowers, fruits
K (Potassium): Overall plant health, disease resistance
Chosen the right one
Simple guide to choosing the right fertilizer based on what you’re growing in your garden:
Vegetable Gardens
Best Type: Balanced or slightly higher phosphorus (P) for root and fruit development
Recommended Fertilizer:
10-10-10 (general purpose)
5-10-10 (better for root crops and fruiting vegetables)
Compost + fish emulsion (organic option)
Tips:
Use a nitrogen-boosting fertilizer early for leafy vegetables like lettuce or spinach.
Switch to phosphorus-heavy formulas when fruits or roots begin developing (e.g., tomatoes, carrots).
Flower Gardens
Best Type: Higher phosphorus for more blooms
Recommended Fertilizer:
5-10-5 or 10-20-10
Bone meal (organic option)
Liquid bloom boosters during flowering stage
Tips:
Too much nitrogen = lush leaves, few flowers.
For continuous bloomers, apply monthly during the growing season.
Herbs
Best Type: Low to balanced nitrogen
Recommended Fertilizer:
5-5-5 or organic compost
Fish emulsion (diluted for tender herbs)
Tips:
Avoid over-fertilizing; strong growth can dilute flavor and aroma.
Fruit Trees & Shrubs
Best Type: Balanced early in the season, more potassium (K) during fruiting
Recommended Fertilizer:
6-2-4 (citrus trees)
10-10-10 or fruit tree spikes
Compost + wood ash (organic potassium source)
Tips:
Apply in early spring and again mid-season.
Mulch with compost for slow nutrient release.
Lawns
Best Type: High nitrogen (N) for green growth
Recommended Fertilizer:
20-5-10
Slow-release lawn fertilizer
Corn gluten meal (organic pre-emergent and N source)
Tips:
Apply in early spring and fall.
Water well after application to prevent burn.
Crop-Specific Notes
Leafy Greens (lettuce, spinach, kale): Focus on nitrogen early; avoid high-P/K blends.
Root Crops (carrots, beets, radishes): Use low-nitrogen, higher phosphorus (5-10-10).
Fruiting Crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash): Start with balanced, then switch to low-N/high-P once flowers appear.
Legumes (beans, peas): Often don’t need added nitrogen—use compost or low-N feed.
Tips for Effective Feeding
Water thoroughly after applying granular fertilizers to prevent burning roots.
Use liquid feed for quick boosts, especially during key growth stages (flowering/fruiting).
Don’t over-fertilize—it can lead to excessive leaf growth and fewer fruits.
Organic growers: Use compost, worm castings, fish emulsion, bone/kelp meal.
Month by Month feeding schedule
Calendar-Based Vegetable Feeding Schedule for Zones 6–10, assuming a spring planting (adjust by 4–6 weeks earlier or later depending on your local climate). This is ideal for most common vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, greens, carrots, etc.
Vegetable Fertilizer Calendar (Monthly View)
| Month | Feeding Focus |
|---|---|
| February | – Add compost or aged manure to garden beds- Start seeds indoors (use seed-starting mix, no fertilizer yet) |
| March | – Apply balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) 2 weeks before planting- Transplant early crops (greens, onions)- Light liquid feed (fish emulsion) 1 week after transplant |
| April | – Direct sow more crops (carrots, radishes, peas)- Feed with compost tea or ½ strength fertilizer every 2–3 weeks |
| May | – Transplant warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash)- Feed with higher nitrogen (e.g. 20-5-10) to promote leafy growth |
| June | – Side-dress or liquid-feed with balanced or high P/K fertilizer (5-10-10)- Begin bloom/fruit support for tomatoes, squash, cucumbers |
| July | – Feed every 2–3 weeks during fruiting with vegetable or tomato fertilizer– Apply compost tea or fish emulsion for sustained production |
| August | – Continue fruiting crop feeding- Begin prepping soil for fall crops with compost- Plant fall greens/root crops in cooler zones |
| September | – Feed fall crops (spinach, kale, beets) with nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer (blood meal, fish emulsion)- Avoid overfeeding late in the season |
| October | – Final light feeding of fall crops- Add compost or mulch to protect soil going into winter |
| November | – Plant cover crops (clover, vetch) or mulch heavily- No feeding needed unless in Zone 10–11 (where planting continues) |
| December | – Rest month (or continued fall harvest in warmer zones)- Optional compost applications in mild climates |
Fertilizer Frequency Summary
Leafy Crops: Feed lightly every 2–3 weeks during active growth.
Fruiting Crops: Feed every 2–3 weeks from bloom through harvest.
Root Crops: Feed only lightly at planting and mid-season.