05/05/2026
“Why are your plants so small?” I’ve got some good and bad news for you, fam.
The bad news is that the plants you see in the big box nursery section are huge because the seeds, the soil, the stalks, and the leaves have been completely drenched in fertilizers to speed up their growth. Nothing is wrong with a little bit of organic fertilizer, but that’s not what you’re buying. You’re buying plants coated in the following:
1. Controlled-Release Fertilizer (CRF): Often used in container nurseries because they release nutrients over months, reducing labor and salt buildup.
2. Balanced Granular (10-10-10 / 15-15-15): Commonly used for general, all-purpose feeding.
3. Water-Soluble/Liquid Fertilizers (Fertigation): Used for immediate nutrient uptake, often including specialized blends with micronutrients like 10-0-6 or 12-6-6.
4. Nitrogen Sources (Sulfate of Ammonia/Urea): Applied to promote rapid leafy growth in nursery seedlings.
They look big because the roots and leaves have been shot up with long-lasting fertilizer.
What’s the good news? All that’s in my plants are seeds and soil. They fruit just as much as anything from a store, but I can tell you exactly what has touched them (water and light).
Know what you’re buying. Research these huge nurseries if you think I’m dramatic.
