Keep things green and growing with fertilizers

Even if you have the greenest thumb in the universe, you could always use a little extra help. Many plants are hardy and thrive no matter what the conditions, but you will get longer lawn grasses, prettier flowers and tastier fruits and vegetables when you use fertilizers to help make sure your plants are getting the most out of your soil. Fertilizers improve plant growth by providing optimal nutrients and boosting chemicals that help your plants succeed. Fertilizers are great to use both indoors and outdoors, and can be a little way to breathe some life into live house plants that can't access fresh air and rain. There are many different types of fertilizer available to fit your needs. All you have to do is choose the right type for you.

Pellet fertilizer is great for lawn use. Most pellets will soak into the soil after a good rain or a few hours under the sprinkler. It is easy to spread if you have the right tools available; you would, however want to purchase a spreader if you choose to use pellets. A spreader is a machine that looks like a push car. The bottom of the bucket empties out to a distributor that sprays the pellets in all directions as you propel the cart forward. Thus, the weight of the fertilizer is carried by the wheels and it is all dispersed evenly as you walk the lengths of your yard. If you don't have or purchase a spreader, you'll have to lug and distribute the pellets by hand, which will likely result in uneven coverage and a sore back.

For more specific fertilizer needs, you can choose a fertilizing spray. If you want to confine your fertilizer to certain segments of your garden or lawn, a sprayer can give you more precise aim and control, so that you don't end up over-feeding some of your plants. Sprayers come in backpack varieties, push carts or even tow carts that you pull with your riding mower or lawn tractor. Others hook up directly to your hose so that you don't have to carry a large container all over your garden. Either way, they can be a very effective way to disperse fertilizer along with the hydration your plants need.

There are many different types of fertilizer available to fit the needs of your garden. If you want to avoid chemicals, opt for an organic fertilizer with natural nutrients and safer chemicals. If you need to grow something fast, check out special blends of MiracleGro and other popular brands. Of course, you can always make fertilizer the old fashioned way by setting up a compost bin in your back yard. With the right tools, you can convert old organic materials into very rich, nutrient-dense soil and fertilizer to keep your garden looking beautiful.

Sears has everything you need to help your garden grow. Fertilizer is a great start, but you will need hydration systems, whether that means garden hoses or irrigation sprinkler pumps. Let us help you fertilize your lawn and garden with all of the tools, chemicals and tips you need to make your yard the envy of all your neighbors.