What Is 30 10 10 Fertilizer Used For?

Find out what the 30 10 10 fertilizer means in gardening, how it benefits plants, and the proper way to apply it so your plants receive maximum nutrients.

By
Sean Stratton | Updated February 8, 2023
a man spreading 30 10 10 fertilizer

What Is 30 10 10 Fertilizer Used For?

30-10-10 Fertilizer balances nutrients in the soil to enhance root formation for plants, lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables. It contains 30% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, and 10% potassium.

It is ideal for various types of soils and the health of vegetables. And it is even suitable for alkaline and acidic soils. You can use it as a soil amendment. Plus, when planting, it can be used as side dressing. Side dressing means applying fertilizer along the side of the plant stems. This is in contrast to top dressing, which involves applying fertilizer all over the top of the soil.

As the Nitrogen property of this fertilizer is relatively high, it can be an excellent choice for improving the initial growth of vegetables or lawns and promoting leaf growth. You can call this  30-10-10 fertilizer an all-rounder soluble fertilizer because it has many uses.

You can use it as lawn fertilizer. It can also be applied to your flowers, palms, succulents, vegetables, and orchids. This fertilizer can also be used on crops like wheat, corn, and oats.

We recommend you follow the instructions provided by the fertilizer manufacturer. Don’t apply the fertilizer on your crops or vegetables if there is no specific instruction about applying it on crops or vegetables from the manufacturer.

Lastly, no matter where you apply it, be careful not to overfertilize, as this can damage your plants rather than help them. That’s why for better results, do a soil test to check the nutrient levels in the soil before applying the 30-10-10 fertilizer. After you know the nutrient level, you can apply the fertilizer accordingly.

What Do The Numbers 30-10-10 Mean?

The number 30 10 10 refers to the ratio of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium (NPK) present in the fertilizer.

So, why do we need a specific NPK ratio? What is its importance? Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium are essential macronutrients for the development of plants. The ratio of these nutrients changes based on the specific needs of the plant and your soil composition.

The Nitrogen (N) in the fertilizer helps your plant convert sunlight into energy for growth and maintain a healthy green color. Phosphorus (P) will help your plants achieve a stronger root system and Potassium (K) is essential for optimal plant growth.

So, the number 30 10 10 in a fertilizer means the value of Nitrogen in that fertilizer is 30, and the value of Phosphorus and Potassium is 10. Now, you can get a rough idea about which nutrients you are getting from fertilizer and the values of those nutrients.

So, from now on, depending on your requirements, you can choose the right fertilizer just by looking at the number in the fertilizer.

Where to Buy 30-10-10 Fertilizer

First, you can check your local lawn and garden stores. You can even ask them basic questions about the 30-10-10 fertilizer application instructions. But you can always search online if there is no lawn and garden store nearby.  

You can find this fertilizer on many popular websites like Amazon, eBay, and Walmart, or other websites. Plus, you can check other websites you are familiar with. Additionally, you can choose an online store that gives you free shipping, which will save you some money.

We recommend Southern Ag Max Acid Water Soluble Fertilizer for your acid-loving trees, shrubs, and plants. It is an easy-to-use 30-10-10 fertilizer with a large coverage area. A 1lb bag can cover a 1000 sq ft area when mixed with 10 gallons of water.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should you use 30 10 10 Fertilizer?

From the ratio, you can see that the value of Nitrogen is highest. So, if your plants are having a Nitrogen deficiency, it is high time to look for a fertilizer with a proper amount of Nitrogen. The best time to apply this fertilizer is when your plants are in need of nutrients like Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium.

So, whenever you see the signs of deficiency, consider it’s time to provide those nutrients. Plus, you can apply this 30-10-10 type fertilizer when you notice the plants are in their blooming or fruiting stage.

Again, we would recommend you read and prioritize the instructions provided by the manufacturer because if you purchase a specific fertilizer, the instructions might vary. And if your plants seem to have a hard time taking nutrients through roots, you can use this fertilizer as a foliar spray.

How Do You Apply the 30-10-10 Fertilizer?

You can apply the 30-10-10 fertilizer maintaining a ratio of 2 or 3 pounds per 1000 sq. ft. But if the fertilizer manufacturer recommends a different NPK ratio, follow that ratio.

Additionally, to ensure a better fertilizer application to your plants, you can divide the required fertilizer amount by the number of fertilizer applications throughout the season. This will help you utilize your fertilizer application and prevent overuse or fertilizer deficit.

You can even use this fertilizer to side-dress some crops like soybeans, corn, etc. After applying the fertilizer, maintain proper watering to deliver the nutrients to the plant roots.

Written by Sean Stratton

Sean Stratton

Hi, I'm Sean, the senior editor here at Fertilizer Pick. I grew up on a farm in North Carolina and have grown fruits, vegetables, and trees since childhood. While I no longer live on a farm today, I still enjoy spending time on my garden and sharing my knowledge with friends and fellow garden enthusiasts.