complete fertilizer

American  

noun

1. a fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, the three principal elements required for plant nutrition.

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Etymology

Origin of complete fertilizer

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Fertilize: In addition to adding complete fertilizer to the soil, use a soluble fertilizer like fish emulsion around transplants, especially early in the season or if the plants are not thriving.

From Seattle Times • May 5, 2021

For complete fertilizer coverage, cut your application rate in half, then apply evenly in a crisscross manner.

From Time Magazine Archive

The ground is enriched by 400 or 500 pounds of complete fertilizer, and the beans are planted with a grain drill, using every fourth tube.

From Farm Gardening with Hints on Cheap Manuring Quick Cash Crops and How to Grow Them by Anonymous

In that case a little with the burr clover seed will give the plant a good start, or use a complete fertilizer to secure the growth of a legume in the freest and quickest way.

From One Thousand Questions in California Agriculture Answered by Wickson, Edward J. (Edward James)

Figure 5.—Effect of omission of phosphorus from complete fertilizer in Western New York.

From The Tomato by Work, Paul