What do lettuce gardeners, homeowners and groundskeepers all have in common? They all want to see beautiful, emerald-green plants.
And whether you are growing evergreen shrubs, delicious and nutritious lettuce, or you just want the best lawn on the block, your plants are going to need plenty of nitrogen.
This is where understanding different fertilizer formulas and, just as importantly, when to use them becomes critical. Don’t give your plants enough of the right stuff, or give them too much, and they could die.
To help you make sense of the crowded fertilizer market, I’m bringing you a guide on 16-4-8 fertilizer, a popular high-nitrogen fertilizer variety. I’ll tell you what you need to know about it down below.
What Does 16-4-8 Fertilizer Mean?
The formula you see on your bag of 16-4-8 looks similar to other bags of fertilizer for a reason: this is what is known as the NPK rating, standing from nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
In the case of our 16-4-8 here, it indicates the percentage of major nutrients in the blend. That’s 16% nitrogen, 4% phosphorus and 8% potassium.
These numbers are basically universal, so at a glance, if you see any other similarly marked fertilizer, you’ll be able to tell straight away how much of each nutrient it contains and, with a little know-how, what it’s good for.
16-4-8 Fertilizer Benefits
16-4-8 is a good mostly general-purpose fertilizer. I say mostly because it contains a bit more nitrogen than a truly all-purpose fertilizer like triple 8.
Nonetheless, that extra shot of nitrogen makes it wonderful for any leafy green vegetable or other plant that needs lots of it. For instance, many grasses, lettuce, evergreen trees, and shrubs, things like that.
That’s because all plants and those kinds of plants in particular need lots of nitrogen in order to promote the growth of foliage that they need to thrive, and particularly dark green foliage that has lots of chlorophyll to help these plants conduct photosynthesis.
And, as I said, even though all plants need nitrogen not all plants need that much, particularly ones that produce large flowers, fruits, or vegetables.
What Are the Ingredients in 16-4-8 Fertilizer?
16-4-8 is often available as a synthetically developed fertilizer, and derives most of its ingredients from ammonium nitrate, urea, diammonium phosphate, potassium sulfate and other sources.
You’ll also commonly find this formula with a host of additives in the form of micronutrients and trace elements, seaweed, humic acid and slow-release compounds.
These will help the nitrogen content in this fertilizer go the distance, and also help prevent nitrogen shock from scorching delicate plants.
But, because this is a common and popular kind of fertilizer, it’s a good idea to check the package ingredients list or the manufacturer’s info sheet to see precisely what you’re getting.
How Should You Apply 16-4-8 Fertilizer?
You usually find 16-4-8 in the form of granules or small pellets, or else in a liquid form that requires dilution before application.
The form of the fertilizer naturally determines how you’re going to apply it. Simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dilution or for broadcasting.
Speaking of broadcasting and spraying, it’s imperative that you avoid giving your plants too much of a 16-4-8: it does have a good bit of nitrogen and can easily damage your plants if you give it too much.
Be especially cautious that you don’t accidentally add more to an area where you’ve already administered it.
Make sure you know how your equipment works and that you are practiced with its operation before you apply 16-4-8.
What Plants Benefit From 16-4-8 Fertilizer?
As mentioned, 16-4-8 is excellent for any plant that needs lots of nitrogen, and that means evergreens, leafy green veggies (AKA salad vegetables), many grasses, house plants, and a lot more.
If the greenery of the plant is the star or the edible part, chances are good that 16-4-8 is a great fertilizer for it.
Conversely, if the plant is known for its large and showy blooms, or if it produces fruit or vegetables, 16-4-8 is probably not ideal for it as a rule of thumb.
Is 16-4-8 Good for Gardens?
Yes, so long as you are growing leafy green vegetables or anything else that requires extra nitrogen.
However, you must be cautious because it can easily be too much for veggies like peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, and other nightshade family plants…
Is 16-4-8 Good for Trees?
Yes, and evergreen trees in particular. Trees need tons of foliage in order to photosynthesize enough to meet their needs, and extra nitrogen will help them produce as many leaves as they require.
Is 16-4-8 Fertilizer Good for Your Lawn?
Yes, typically it is very good! In fact, it is no exaggeration to say that 16-4-8 might be the ideal fertilizer for most lawns.
It has an almost perfect ratio of nutrients for many types of grass, to say nothing of shrubs and other common landscaping plants, that will keep your lawn looking emerald-green, and better able to resist stress from weather.
Is 16-4-8 Good for Your Houseplants?
Yes it is, as long as they don’t produce large flowers. For evergreen houseplants, 16-4-8 is a solid choice so long as you apply it sparingly and cautiously.
How And When Should You Use 16-4-8 Fertilizer?
16-4-8 is a fertilizer you’ll want to use at two times, broadly speaking.
Use it in the fall if any of your plants need a jolt of nutrition to get them ready for cooler winter weather, and use it in the springtime to help your plants pump up and prepare to survive and make use of the intense summer sunlight.
Also don’t be afraid to use a 16-4-8 as a periodic fertilizer throughout the growing season so long as your plants need the extra nitrogen.
Just make sure to test your soil levels every now and then to make sure it isn’t accumulating too much nitro.
What’s the Best Time of Day to Apply 16-4-8?
You definitely want to apply 16-4-8 early in the morning or late in the evening when the heat of the day has died down and the sun isn’t blazing at its highest.
As with all fertilizers containing nitrogen, it can easily scorch or kill your plants if you apply it during the middle of the day during intense heat and lots of direct sunlight.
How Much 16-4-8 Fertilizer Do You Need per Acre?
There’s no easy answer when it comes to how much 16-4-8 you should use to fertilize an acre, and that’s because the stuff comes in so many different concentrations and varieties that the usual guidelines we rely on are less than satisfactory.
My advice? Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application to the letter.
This isn’t something you want to get wrong with 16-4-8, because it has enough nitrogen to cause serious harm if you accidentally overdo it.
Who Makes the Best 16-4-8 Fertilizer?
Hands down, the very best 16-4-8 I’ve ever used is Anderson’s Professional PGF.
The granule size is tiny, it provides many other needed micronutrients for lawns and other plants, and it dissolves totally and very quickly making it a snap to handle.
Where Can You Find 16-4-8 Fertilizer?
16-4-8 is extremely popular and that means you can find it everywhere. You’ll find it in home improvement supercenters, garden centers, hardware stores, nurseries, etc.
Tim is a farm boy with vast experience on homesteads, and with survival and prepping. He lives a self-reliant lifestyle along with his aging mother in a quiet and very conservative little town in Ohio. He teaches folks about security, prepping and self-sufficiency not just through his witty writing, but also in person.
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