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What NPK Ratio Do Vegetables Need?

Penn State Extension

Most vegetables need a balanced 10-10-10 NPK ratio for general feeding. Leafy greens like lettuce and spinach benefit from higher nitrogen (20-10-10). Fruiting vegetables like tomatoes and peppers need more phosphorus (5-10-10) once they begin flowering. Root vegetables like carrots and potatoes prefer lower nitrogen to prevent excessive top growth at the expense of root development.

What You Need to Know

Most vegetables need a balanced 10-10-10 NPK ratio for general feeding. Leafy greens like lettuce and spinach benefit from higher nitrogen (20-10-10). Fruiting vegetables like tomatoes and peppers need more phosphorus (5-10-10) once they begin flowering

Root vegetables like carrots and potatoes prefer lower nitrogen to prevent excessive top growth at the expense of root development.

For personalized recommendations based on your specific garden size and fertilizer, use our fertilizer calculator.

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