As long as you feed your orchard healthy you grow healthy trees. Being a dedicated gardener what more can you ask for rather than healthy trees? The only prerequisite to a healthy body is nutrients, the same goes for your trees. Trees receive this nutrient from fertilizers through soil that helps them to grow a healthy, strong, and nature-serving plant. So the question is how long does fertilizer last? You need to have an updated idea about that.
A regular gardener has to have an immaculate idea about fertilizers. But you are new to gardening let me tell you, you have got to learn a lot especially about fertilizers and expiry. Do keep in mind that:
- The sustenance of fertilizer depends on the type of soil and the type of fertilizer also.
- Usually, dry fertilizer lasts 4 years approximately
- Liquid fertilizers have a longer life span that is about 10 years.
The Life Span of Fertilizer Depending on the type of the Fertilizer:
As told before the life expectancy of your fertilizer varies according to the type of fertilizer you are using and its contents. So when you are asked how long does lawn fertilizer lasts be ready to give the answer and clear confusions. Without making it any longer let us go straight into the types.
DRY fertilizers:
Using dry fertilizers is the best way to supply your soil with stable elements like Ca, N, K, P and avoid any nutrient deficiencies. Usually, fertilizers that are made up of potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus do not degrade easily. so they have quite a long sustenance per application. These elements do not degrade easily. So the lifespan is indefinite in such cases. But the presence of herbicides and pesticides shortens the life expectancy to four years.
Liquid fertilizers:
Fertilizers in the form of liquid work great as both plant and soil fertilizer supplying more than 80 plus nutrients in minimal amounts. The process of absorbing the nutrients through liquid fertilizer is quite a lengthy process and lasts for a longer period of like 10 years. But on the contrary, compared to dry fertilizers the liquid fertilizers are absorbed faster.
Liquid fertilizers are found.
The process of absorbing nutrients through liquid fertilizers:
As liquid fertilizers do not have any pesticides or herbicides their decomposition period takes place from at the end of 8 to 10 years. The process starts with applying it to the soil. Then it is absorbed by the roots of the plants supplying all the essential nutrients. But note that the faster it is absorbed by the soil the slower it takes in case of nutrients’ absorption but has a long life span so how long does liquid fertilizer last? The answer is 8 to 10 years.
How long does fertilizer last in soil?
If we typically talk about quick booster fertilizers in the soil a straight cut answer is it lasts from 3 to 4 weeks. On the other hand, granular fertilizers start to show their effect right after two weeks of application and can sustain from 2 to nine months.
How long does fertilizer stay on the shelf?
In every spring there remains some unused amount of fertilizer on the shelf right? But the question is the fertilizer still worthy of use? If we talk about shelf life, granular fertilizers have no fixed expiry, and fertilizers in liquid form can sustain up to 10 years. but wait this isn’t that easy. This life span is only applicable when you store them properly.
Efficient storage of fertilizers to expand shelf life:
The lifespan of fertilizers greatly depends on the components of the fertilizer. As told before the presence of herbicide and pesticides can readily shorten the decomposition of the fertilizer. Whereas the stable elements result in a longer period of sustenance.
Apart from this, if the leftover fertilizer is stored efficiently the nutritional value remains intact and it results in the same for every use. It will both save your money and time and prevent wastage. Dry fertilizers should be taken care of so that there forms no lumps and is ready for the next use. Temperature is also an important factor to maintain the efficient storage of fertilizers.
Read more: Outdoor grow fertilizer – The Surprising Secret to Creating a More Production
Here is some pro tip in this case:
Sealing:
After every use makes sure you have properly sealed the fertilizer. In the case of dry fertilizers make sure that it remains air-tight and no external element gets mixed. Using a utility knife is the best option.
Storing:
After sealing the fertilizer properly place it in a container. To use the original container would be the best. Position it in such a way, it doesn’t get damaged (upright position)
Proper location:
You should not place your fertilizer is too high or too cool temperatures. The best option is to keep it in such a place that doesn’t exceed 30 degrees. Keep it in a space where moisture does get trapped and is away from direct sunlight and there are so many chemical elements beside it.
Keep out of reach of children:
Store it out of reach of children and domestic animals
Make sure it doesn’t freeze:
When you are in a cooler climate store the fertilizer in a warmer place so the liquid fertilizer does not get frozen.
What happens when you don’t store your fertilizer properly?
When you don’t store fertilizers properly it can cost both wastage and money. If it is not placed in the right place spills are more likely to happen. If you place any kind of chemical items beside your fertilizer it may even cause an explosion .lastly due to hot and humid temperature lumps are very easy to form.
Take away
Now as you know how the type and components of the fertilizers affect the lifespan of it there is no more confusion regarding how long does fertilizer last right? So, what are you waiting for? Feed good and grow good!