Best Fertilizers For Potatoes 2020: Reviews & Buyer’s Guide
Potatoes are root vegetables grow below the soil surface. They have different fertilizing needs than other crops.
Simply put, potassium and phosphate are more beneficial for their growth because they can penetrate well into the soil and deliver the required nutrients to the plants.
But if you are not sure which is the best fertilizer for potatoes, we have come up with this detailed guide.
In this guide, you will come to know which are the best options available in the market these days, along with their pros and cons, and a few FAQs.
Top 10 Best Fertilizers For Potatoes 2020
1. Miracle-Gro All Purpose Plant Food
This water-soluble fertilizer can deliver all the essential nutrients to your plants, helping them to grow bigger and better.
Not only potatoes, but this is also suitable for all types of vegetables, flowers, shrubs, houseplants and shrubs.
Use it once in 1-2 weeks. All you need to have is a watering can or a garden feeder from Miracle-Gro.
The fertilizer boasts of the chemical composition of 18-18-21 NPK. Just mix the recommended amount in your watering can and feed your plants while you water them.
Pros
- Suitable for all types of plants
- Ideal chemical composition
- Easy to use
- Does not burn plants when used as per instructions
- Starts working instantly
- Available in multiple size packets
Cons
- A little expensive than others
2. Muriate Of Potash
This muriatic of potash is the best fertilizer for potatoes. Also, it is for other root vegetables like onions and carrots.
Its high yield formula is an excellent source of potassium for your potatoes. It is easy to use, and half a pound is enough for 100 square feet of area.
Since it is a highly concentrated fertilizer, it should not be applied directly to the plant.
It must be mixed in the soil and watered through a hose. It not only encourages growth in your plants but also keeps them safe from diseases.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Highly concentrated
- Minimal amount needed
- Suitable for all root vegetables
Cons
- Not suitable for container-grown plants
3. Osmocote 274850
Laden with 11 essential nutrients, this smart-release plant food is suitable for all varieties of plants.
Ideal for indoor as well as outdoor plants, this formula will ensure plants growing in all types of conditions.
Each granule has been coated with semi-permeable resin that allows gradual release of the nutrients over six months.
It means that your plants get the required nutrition of NPK 15-9-12. Just mix some granules in the soil and keep watering.
Pros
- Easy to use
- 11 essential nutrients
- NPK 15-9-12
- Nutrients are gradually released at the right times
- Applicable required only once in 6 months
- Suitable for all indoor and outdoor plants
Cons
- Only one pack size available
4. Dr Earth 708P
Made up of 100% natural and organic ingredients, this fruit tree fertilizer from Dr Earth is highly effective in stimulating healthy development of roots.
As a result, your plants witness stable and consistent growth. The fruits will grow more nutritious, healthy, and organic.
The product does not contain any sewage sludge, chicken manure or GMOs.
It contains pro-biotic, ecto and endo mycorrhizae and seven strains of soil microbes to boost root development in your plants. Once fed, its effects last for several months.
Pros
- 100% natural and organic
- Stimulates root development
- Consistent plant growth
- GMO-free
- Long-lasting results
Cons
- Not meant for turf
5. Burpee Organic Bone Meal Fertilizer
This organic fertilizer from Burpee contains bone meal, which is an excellent source of calcium, phosphorus and nitrogen for your plants.
It is highly effective in promoting colorful blooms, strong roots and flavorsome vegetables.
Organically certified, this fertilizer has been OMRI listed to support Organic Gardening.
Adding this fertilizer to the soil during the early season will help in the development of stronger roots with rapid growth.
You may also add it to the soil any time before harvest to promote plant growth. It has a fine granule like consistency that makes it easy to spread.
Pros
- Excellent source of essential nutrients
- Organic certified
- OMRI listed for organic gardening
- Can be added to the soil at any stage of the growth before harvest
- Excellent granular consistency for easy spreading
Cons
- May burn plants if not used as instructed
6. Lilly Miller All-Purpose
This all-purpose planting and growing food from Lilly Miller is meant for fast-acting.
These concentrated ingredients are designed to release the nutrients slowly and gradually for steady growth.
Made in the US, it is a 10-10-10 fertilizer that promotes lush green growth for different types of plants, including pumpkins, potatoes, cucumbers, etc. It never burns your crops as long as you follow the instructions for use.
Pros
- Made in the US
- 10-10-10 concentration
- Suitable for different types of plants
- Promotes steady growth with the slow release of nutrients
- Easy to use
Cons
- More package sizes could be available
7. Down To Earth All-Natural Blood Meal Fertilizer
Blood Meal from Down to Earth is an organic, 100% natural fertilizer listed by OMR for organic gardening.
With 12-0-0 formula, this traditional fertilizer is highly effective in promoting growth and accelerating development.
Nitrogen content in it is friendly for all types of plants, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Fruiting plants like melons, squash, peppers and tomatoes can also benefit a lot from this fertilizer.
2-4 pounds of the meal is sufficient for a 100 sq ft garden. You can also add it to a compost pile as it allows faster heat up and breaks down.
Pros
- Promotes growth
- 12-0-0 formula
- Suitable for all types of crops
- Can be added to a compost pile as well
- OMR listed
- 100% natural and organic
Cons
- Only one packet size available
8. OscomoteSmart-Release Plant Food
This smart release plant food from Osmocote is ideal for perennials, including colorful flowers and delicious vegetables.
Once fed, it keeps working for four months, after which you will have to reuse the fertilizer. It works wonders to promote growth and develop strong roots.
Pros
- Best for perennials
- Feed once in 4 months
- Easy to use
Cons
- No iron in the formula
9. Fox Farm Grow FX14094
Grow Big hydro liquid concentrate from Fox Farm is packed with micronutrients essential for maximum growth and development of plants.
Whether you are cultivating fruits, flowers or plants, this formula is ideal for all.
With a concentration of 3-2-6, this liquid concentrate helps boost lush green growth in your plants.
2 teaspoons of concentrate are enough to mix in one gallon of water to deliver the desired effects.
Pros
- Contains micronutrients
- Contains trace minerals
- Boost growth and development in plants
- 3-2-6 formula
- Easy to use
Cons
- Size is too small
10. Miracle-Gro Nature’s Care Raised Bed Plant Food
Specially designed for organic gardening, this Miracle-Gro fertilizer packed with essential nutrients can be highly effective in helping your raised bed garden grow exponentially.
Listed by OMRI for organic gardening, it is easy to use, as you just need to sprinkle or mix in soil and keep watering the plants. Once used, you do not need to reuse it before two months.
Pros
- OMRI listed
- Supports organic gardening
- Easy to use
- 7-6-9 formula
- Feeds for two months
Cons
- Slow acting
FAQs
1. What Are The Requirements To Grow A Potato Plant?
The primary thing is to ensure that you give proper compost to your potato plant.
With the help of manure, compost and an essential NPK fertilizer, you can provide micro-nutrients to the potato plant to help it thrive. These factors will lead to the healthy growth of your potatoes.
2. How To Apply Fertilizer Into A Potato Plant?
Since the potato plant grows underground, you need the best fertilizer for potatoes that can penetrate the soil to give it the required nutrients.
The compost should be mix insider the soil till 3-4 inches below or you can mix it in the water and pour it on the soil.
3. Is Bone Meal An Excellent Fertilizer For Potatoes?
Yes. Bone meal is an excellent fertilizer for growing potatoes organically.
Add some bone meal at the time of planting the potatoes, and then cover the seed with soil.
When you water the crops, the fertilizer will get dispersed in the soil and provide it with the required nutrition.
4. How Often Should I Add Fertilizer To The Potato Plants?
It depends on the working system of the fertilizer that you choose. Some fertilizers need to be fed once in 1-2 weeks, while others keep working for as long as six months.
The Best Fertilizer For Potatoes Needed For Your Plants
We have provided you with some of the best fertilizers available in the market.
Choose the one that is best suitable for your potato crops. Make sure that you follow the usage instructions correctly, as even the best fertilizer for potatoes can burn the plants if not used as instructed.
You can look for factors involved with it so that you can work accordingly.