Fertilizing Vegetables & Lawn
Plants need nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Most home gardens need nitrogen most; a soil test tells you what else is missing before you buy.
Read the N-P-K number
A 20-5-10 bag is 20% nitrogen. To deliver 1 lb of N per 1,000 sq ft with that bag, you apply 5 lb of product. The calculator does this for any area and bag.
Vegetables vs lawn
Vegetables are side-dressed during the season; lawns get the bulk in their peak growth window. Over-fertilizing wastes money and pollutes waterways.
Soil test first
A $10–20 county extension soil test prevents guesswork and tells you whether you even need phosphorus (many states restrict it).
Fertilizer Calculator
Use the free tool below with your own numbers — results are printable.
Cool-season lawns: apply most N in fall. Vegetable beds: side-dress during the season per crop. Always follow the bag label and local fertilizer rules (some states restrict phosphorous).
GardenFig guidance is educational, based on USDA zones and extension guidelines. Confirm local freeze dates, product labels, and regulations with your county extension.