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.”
Using fertilizers in the wrong way can actually do more harm than good, the EPA says, damaging damage beneficial soil life and sending excess chemicals into water bodies.
For that reason, it’s important to read product labels carefully.