Fertilizers are essential for nourishing plants and ensuring they grow healthy and strong. Granular fertilizers are a popular option due to their convenience and ease of use. However, many gardeners whether they can dissolve granular fertilizer in water?
Generally, you can dissolve both granular and liquid fertilizers in water as they are water-soluble. To make granular fertilizer into liquid fertilizer, soak your granular organic fertilizer in water, allow it to sit for 24 hours, and strain out the liquids.
However, dissolving granular fertilizer in water properly is key to maximizing its effectiveness. Read on to find out tips and tricks on how to dissolve granular fertilizer in water efficiently. If you wonder what are the differences between fertilizer and plant food, I wrote a whole article that I encourage you to read.
Can You Dissolve Granular Fertilizer in Water?
In general, you can dissolve granular fertilizer in water; you need to soak it in water, let it sit for 24 hours, and strain out the liquids. Remember that choosing a slow-release type, including organic fertilizers, is recommended to feed your plants the whole season (Source: University of California)
Also, applying the proper amount of fertilizer and avoiding overfertilizing is essential. Generally, too much fertilizer can cause plant damage, excessive plant growth, and further water needs by the plant.
Tips and Tricks on How To Dissolve Granular Fertilizer in Water Efficiently
Granular fertilizers are an excellent choice for gardeners as they are easy to apply, release gradually, and provide enough nutrients to plants over time.
The most common way to apply granular fertilizer to plants is to sprinkle it around the plant base and let it dissolve naturally into the soil.
However, if you want to use granular fertilizer in a watering can or sprayer, you need to dissolve it in water. Here are a few tips and tricks on how to dissolve granular fertilizer in water efficiently:
1- Use Warm Water
Warm water dissolves fertilizer more effectively than cold water. The heat from the water helps to break down the fertilizer and allows it to dissolve more quickly.
You should avoid using hot water, as it can damage the fertilizer’s nutrients. Instead, it is recommended to use lukewarm to warm water because it is the best temperature for dissolving granular fertilizer.
2- Stir Dissolved Fertilizer Properly
When mixing your fertilizer with water, you should stir it correctly to ensure it dissolves correctly. Using a gardening stirrer or your hand, stir the fertilizer well until it dissolves completely.
A good rule of thumb is to stir for about five minutes to ensure that all of the fertilizer is fully dissolved and mixed in with the water.
3- Add Small Amounts of Fertilizer
Do not add too much fertilizer to the water at once. Instead, add small amounts of fertilizer and stir well, ensuring that it is completely dissolved before adding more.
Adding small amounts of fertilizer also prevents clumps from forming by allowing the fertilizer particles to distribute evenly through the water.
4- Time to Dissolve
Different types of fertilizers need different times to dissolve; check the label for instructions on the amount of time the fertilizer takes to dissolve properly.
However, an excellent tip is to dissolve this fertilizer in water for a few hours before adding it to your plant’s soil because it allows time for the fertilizer to dissolve completely and also prevents fertilizer burn.
5- Use a High-Quality Granular Fertilizer
Using a high-quality granular fertilizer ensures that it dissolves more effectively in water. You will not have to worry about chunks, clumps, or uneven distribution of the fertilizer.
Moreover, high-quality fertilizers also increase the health of your plants, making them more resistant to disease, pests, and harsh weather conditions.
How to Effectively Dissolve Granular Fertilizer in Water?
To dissolve granular fertilizer in water, add one cup of fertilizer to a gallon of water and stir thoroughly until the granules are completely dissolved. Using a bucket or other large container to dissolve the fertilizer in water ensures that the fertilizer disperses evenly throughout the water. Also, stirring frequently is essential to ensure that all the granules dissolve completely.
Dissolving Granular Fertilizer In a Hose-End Sprayer
You can also dissolve granular fertilizer in a hose-end sprayer for more extensive lawn applications.
How to Dissolve Granular Fertilizer In a Hose-End Sprayer:
- Add the appropriate amount of granular fertilizer to the sprayer jar and fill it with water before connecting it to the hose.
- Once connected, turn on the tap and let water flow through the sprayer.
- As the water flows, the granular fertilizer will dissolve until it’s thoroughly mixed, ready to apply to the lawn.
Dissolving Granular Fertilizer Using a Liquid Fertilizer Diluent
Another way to dissolve granular fertilizer is to use a liquid fertilizer diluent. Liquid fertilizer diluents are specifically designed to dissolve granular fertilizers and are available at garden supply stores and online.
How to Dissolve Granular Fertilizer Using a Liquid Fertilizer Diluent:
- Just fill the watering can or sprayer with the appropriate amount of water,
- Mix in the diluent, and then add the granular fertilizer.
- Stir thoroughly, and the granular fertilizer will dissolve completely in the water.
Dissolving Granular Fertilizer in Water By Pre-Mixing The Granular Fertilizer in a Powdered Form
Another method of dissolving granular fertilizer in water involves pre-mixing the granular fertilizer in a powdered form.
Dissolving granular fertilizer in water by pre-mixing the granular fertilizer in a powdered form is less messy and ensures that the fertilizer dissolves evenly.
How to Dissolve Granular Fertilizer in Water By Pre-Mixing The Granular Fertilizer in a Powdered Form:
- Pour the granular fertilizer into a food processor or blender.
- And pulse several times until the granules break down into a fine powder.
- Then add the powder to the water, stir, and apply.
What to read next:
- How To Successfully Turn Granular Fertilizer Into Liquid: a detailed guide.
- How Often Should You Fertilize ZZ Plant? ( including the best fertilizers for ZZ plants)
- How To Effectively Use Coffee Grounds as Fertilizer (Here’s How!)
- Best Fertilizers For African Violets and keep them healthy and blooming!
Wrapping Up
Granular fertilizers are an excellent choice for supplying vital nutrients to plants, and dissolving them in water is an easy process.
I believe that with the methods listed above, you should be able to dissolve granular fertilizer in water easily and have your plants thriving in no time.
Remember to follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging and apply it appropriately to ensure the best results. Happy gardening!