Says the EPA: Most trees and shrubs get all the nutrients they need from the soil, but annuals, vegetable gardens and lawns sometimes need additional nutrients from a fertilizer.
The EPA recommends that you look for products with “natural organic” or “slow-release” ingredients. Unlike “quick-release” fertilizers, the EPA says, natural organic or slow-release fertilizers feed your plants slowly and evenly. The result? Healthier plants with strong root systems and no excessive “top growth.”