Garden fertilizers are essential for promoting healthy plant growth and maximizing yields. Selecting the right fertilizer for your garden can seem overwhelming with so many options available. This article provides a helpful introduction to understanding garden fertilizers, including key nutrient types, formulations, and tips for choosing the best products for your needs.
We’ll cover the basics of primary macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium that plants need to thrive. You’ll learn the difference between common fertilizer types such as granular, liquid, organic and synthetic. Whether you are growing vegetables, flowers, trees or shrubs, you’ll find useful information here on fertilization best practices for your garden. Our goal is to educate home gardeners on fertilizers so you can make informed decisions when feeding your plants.
Our Top Picks For 2025
Jobe's Organics Vegetable & Tomato Fertilizer
Jobe’s Organics Vegetable & Tomato Fertilizer is an organic, OMRI-listed granular fertilizer specially formulated to help tomato and vegetable plants thrive and produce abundant harvests. This fertilizer improves overall soil quality and plant health.
The Jobe’s Organics Vegetable & Tomato Fertilizer is an organic granular fertilizer designed specifically for use on vegetable and tomato plants. Manufactured by Jobe’s Organics, this fertilizer aims to help home gardeners achieve optimal growth and yield from their edible gardens.
- OMRI Listed – Certified for use in organic gardening
- Contains Jobe’s Biozome – Special blend of microorganisms to enrich soil
- Improves nutrient uptake and overall plant health
- Helps plants resist disease, insects and environmental stress
- Safe for use around kids and pets
- Easy to apply granular formula
With its specialized organic formula containing Jobe’s Biozome, the Jobe’s Organics Vegetable & Tomato Fertilizer is an excellent choice for any gardener looking to boost their vegetable and tomato harvest using organic methods. This fertilizer nourishes plants while also improving the soil ecosystem.
Burpee Organic All-Purpose Plant Food Granules
Burpee’s organic, OMRI-listed granular fertilizer formulated to keep garden plants healthy and productive all season long. Promotes growth for flowers, vegetables, herbs, trees, and shrubs.
The Burpee Organic All-Purpose Plant Food Granules are an OMRI-listed organic fertilizer specially formulated to nourish garden plants and keep them thriving. This granular plant food from Burpee provides a custom blend of essential nutrients plants need for vigorous growth and abundant blooms or yields.
Key Features:
- Specially formulated for vegetables, flowers, herbs, trees, shrubs and containers
- Organic plant food granules with major and minor nutrients plus beneficial microbes
- OMRI certified for organic gardening, safe for all plants
- Promotes abundant blooms, fruit yields and lush growth all season long
- Easy to apply, lasts up to 3 months per application
- Great for gardens, flower pots, raised beds, and container plants
The Burpee Organic All-Purpose Plant Food Granules are a premium organic fertilizer that provides garden plants the essential nutrition they need to stay healthy and productive all season long. The OMRI-listed formula is ideal for nourishing all types of ornamental plants, edibles, trees, shrubs, and containers, allowing any gardener to easily feed their plants for vigorous growth and bountiful blooms or harvests.
Miracle-Gro All Purpose Plant Food
Miracle-Gro’s all purpose plant food provides essential nutrients to help feed and nourish plants above and below the soil. This fertilizer contains vital micronutrients for stronger, more vibrant plants and is suitable for use in gardens and containers.
The Miracle-Gro All Purpose Plant Food is a premium fertilizer from the trusted Miracle-Gro brand. This plant food is specially formulated to provide optimal nutrition for all types of plants.
Key features and benefits:
- Contains essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to nourish plants above and below the soil
- Includes vital micronutrients like iron, magnesium, and zinc for healthier, more productive plants
- Feeds plants for up to 3 months when used as directed
- Can be used for plants in the garden and containers
- Will not burn plants when applied correctly
- Easy to apply by shaking over soil or mixing with water
The Miracle-Gro All Purpose Plant Food provides a balanced feeding for all plants and helps them grow stronger and more vibrant. This versatile fertilizer can feed vegetables, flowers, trees, shrubs, and more, making it a convenient one-stop nutrition source for any home garden.
Dr. Earth Organic Tomato & Vegetable Fertilizer
Dr. Earth’s organic granular fertilizer formulated to feed vegetables, herbs and fruiting plants. Contains no GMOs or toxic chemicals. Made in the USA.
The Dr. Earth Organic Tomato & Vegetable Fertilizer is an organic, granular plant food specially formulated to provide optimum nutrition for tomatoes, vegetables, herbs and other fruiting plants. This fertilizer contains no GMOs or toxic ingredients – it is made using natural and organic materials to create a safe, high-quality formula for your garden.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Specially formulated NPK ratio ideal for tomatoes, peppers, herbs and more
- Includes calcium, magnesium and iron for strong cell growth
- Contains 7 strains of beneficial microbes
- Feeds plants for several months
- OMRI listed for organic use
- Non-GMO Project Verified
- People and pet safe – no synthetic chemicals
- Made in the USA from natural ingredients
With its organic ingredients and ideal nutrition profile, the Dr. Earth Tomato & Vegetable Fertilizer provides an excellent plant food to help your vegetables, herbs and other edibles yield abundant and nutritious crops. The diverse nutrients feed plants for extended periods while the microbes build healthy soil. This fertilizer is a great choice for any organic gardener.
Alaska's Best Fish Fertilizer by Ocean Organics
Alaska’s Best Fish Fertilizer is an organic, fish emulsion fertilizer from Ocean Organics that provides nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to help plants thrive. The fish-derived nutrients promote vigorous growth and abundant blooms and fruits.
Alaska’s Best Fish Fertilizer by Ocean Organics is an excellent organic fertilizer option for gardens, lawns, trees, shrubs, and more. This fish emulsion fertilizer provides a boost of essential nutrients to help plants grow strong and healthy.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Made from fish emulsions and seaweed extracts
- Provides nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients
- Promotes vigorous foliage growth and abundant blooms
- Improves fruiting and root development
- Can be used on vegetables, flowers, trees, shrubs, and lawns
- OMRI listed for organic use
- Concentrated formula covers up to 20,000 sq ft
Alaska’s Best Fish Fertilizer is an optimal organic fertilizer choice for nourishing plants and improving soil quality. The fish-derived nutrients stimulate robust plant growth and flowering to help you grow an abundant, thriving garden.
Miracle-Gro Shake 'N Feed Tomato & Vegetable Plant Food
Miracle-Gro’s easy to use granular tomato and vegetable plant food feeds plants and enriches soil for up to 3 months. Contains calcium and micronutrients.
Miracle-Gro Shake ‘N Feed Tomato & Vegetable Plant Food is specially formulated to provide optimal nutrition for tomato, fruit, and vegetable plants. This plant fertilizer contains natural ingredients that feed microbes in the soil, leading to stronger root systems and more efficient water usage. The key benefits include:
- Contains calcium to help produce higher quality, longer lasting fruits and vegetables. Also helps prevent calcium deficiency disorders.
- Micronutrients are tailored to enhance tomato, fruit, and vegetable growth and production versus unfed plants.
- Feeds for up to 3 months, simply shake and mix into the top 1-3 inches of soil. Reapply every 3 months.
- Can be used in both in-ground gardening and containers.
Miracle-Gro Shake ‘N Feed makes it easy to provide your tomato, fruit, and vegetable plants with steady nutrition for stronger plants and better harvests. The granular formula feeds soil microbes and enriches the soil to fuel plant growth for months.
Dr. Earth Organic Bud & Bloom Booster
Dr. Earth’s organic, natural fertilizer boosts blooms and buds in all bulbs, tubers, corms and rhizomes. This 4 lb bag feeds plants for months.
The Dr. Earth Organic Bud & Bloom Booster is an all-natural, organic fertilizer specially formulated to boost blooms and buds in bulbs, tubers, corms and rhizomes. This premium plant food contains no GMOs or toxic ingredients – just a thoughtful blend of fish bone meal, alfalfa meal, feather meal, soft rock phosphate and mined potassium sulfate.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Improves root establishment for better nutrient absorption
- Encourages bigger, more abundant buds, blooms and fruit
- Provides a steady release of essential nutrients for consistent growth
- Contains probiotics and mycorrhizae for drought tolerance
- Feeds plants for several months from one application
- Eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers when used as directed
With premium natural ingredients and biostimulants, the Dr. Earth Organic Booster takes the guesswork out of feeding bulbs and flowering plants. Just one application delivers steady nutrition for outstanding performance through the season.
Miracle-Gro Garden Feeder Pro
The Miracle-Gro Garden Feeder Pro is an easy-to-use hose end sprayer that evenly distributes Miracle-Gro plant food as you water. It promotes vibrant blooms and lush foliage in gardens, lawns, trees, shrubs, and more.
The Miracle-Gro Garden Feeder Pro makes it simple to nourish your outdoor plants while watering. This innovative hose end attachment from the trusted Miracle-Gro brand offers an effortless way to fertilize your garden, lawn, trees, and shrubs.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Adjustable nozzle provides shower or focused stream settings to target all your watering needs.
- Built-in dispenser automatically mixes plant food as you water.
- Covers up to 2,500 sq ft with one filling.
- Promotes strong root development and disease resistance.
- Suitable for all outdoor plant types including flowers, vegetables, trees, and shrubs.
- Ergonomic design is lightweight and easy to grip.
With the Miracle-Gro Garden Feeder Pro, you can conveniently feed and water your plants in one simple step. The adjustable nozzle and built-in dispenser provide an efficient way to nourish your outdoor space for vibrant, healthy growth all season long.
Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food
Miracle-Gro’s all purpose plant food provides essential nutrients to help grow bigger, more beautiful plants. This water-soluble fertilizer feeds flowers, vegetables, trees, shrubs, and houseplants.
The Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food is a premium fertilizer that helps plants thrive. This versatile plant food can be used on all flowers, vegetables, trees, shrubs, and houseplants.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Instantly feeds plants to grow bigger and more beautiful versus unfed plants
- Can be applied every 1-2 weeks for optimal results
- Water soluble formula is easy to mix and apply using any watering can
- Contains essential nutrients plants need to grow and flourish
- Safe for all plants – will not burn when used as directed
Miracle-Gro’s all purpose plant food is an easy way to help your plants reach their full potential. The water soluble formula feeds instantly and provides the essential nutrients needed for healthy growth. This versatile fertilizer is great for use on all types of plants, both indoors and outdoors.
Down to Earth Organic Vegetable Garden Fertilizer
Down to Earth’s all-natural, organic fertilizer formulated specifically for vegetable gardens. Provides balanced nutrition to help plants thrive throughout the growing season.
The Down to Earth Organic Vegetable Garden Fertilizer is an all-purpose organic fertilizer designed to provide optimal nutrition for vegetable gardens and plants. This organic plant food contains a balanced 4-4-4 NPK ratio to encourage vigorous growth through every stage of development.
Key Features:
- Specially formulated for vegetable gardens
- 4-4-4 NPK ratio provides balanced nutrition
- Includes essential nutrients like calcium and iron
- Made from natural, organic ingredients
- Promotes healthy plant growth and development
- Can be used for new gardens or existing plants
- Safe for people, pets, and the environment
This Down to Earth fertilizer is a versatile all-natural product that makes it easy to grow big, beautiful, organic vegetables and herbs. The balanced nutrient profile feeds plants throughout the season for optimal health and production. Grow your best vegetable garden ever with Down to Earth Organic Vegetable Garden Fertilizer.
