Which Fertilizer is Best for My Garden?

Jul 27, 2026

Sometimes it feels like there are too many fertilizer options out there- how do you know which ones are best for your garden, and when?

With so many fertilizers to choose from, which is best for me?

All the following fertilizers are organic, which means they are safe and will not burn plants. However, we recommend avoiding fertilizers specifically designed for plant growth and blooming during the peak heat of summer and the close-to-freezing temperatures of winter. During these stressful times, instead, fertilize with root stimulators and immune-boosting solutions, which are highlighted in orange. See more on protecting roses in the heat here.

All-Purpose Fertilizers for General/Rose Gardening

A.R.E.’s Rose & Garden Food (8-3-5, granular)- Good for general garden fertilizing during the growing season, with higher levels of Nitrogen to give a lot of green growth.

MicroLife Ultimate (8-4-6, granular)- Same purpose as A.R.E.’s Rose & Garden Food, but with a lot more micronutrients and beneficial microbes that are like “gold” to soil.

MicroLife Acidifier (6-2-4, granular)- Great fertilizer for especially roses because they like soil with slightly lower pH. Highly recommend it for newly planted roses. It can also be your standard fertilizer for roses.

MicroLife Maximum Blooms (3-8-3, liquid)- Perfect for early spring, just before budding and flowering, along with just after the rose has spent its first flowering flush. High Potassium will help encourage another bloom.

MicroLife Bio-Matrix (7-1-3, liquid)- While Bio-Matrix can be used outdoors, especially during the beginning of the growing season for a boost of growth as a nitrogen-rich “compost tea”, this fertilizer is the perfect application for houseplants and tropicals throughout the year.

Gentle Gardening for Incredible Soil Health & Support

MicroLife Super Seaweed (0-0-.03, liquid)- Great for stressful times of year, such as the peak of summer or right before freeze, or even during drought or extended periods of rain. Gives plants a helpful health boost, as it is nutrition-packed.

Fish Emulsion (5-1-1, liquid)- Superior plant food for any time of year- plants absolutely love all the fishy nutrients it provides.

When Your Plants Need that Extra Boost/Pick-Me-Up (also helpful during any life stage)

MicroLife Ocean Harvest (4-2-3, liquid)- Called a “Lazarus Juice” due to its ability to help a struggling plant back to good health.

SUPERthrive (0.5-0-0, liquid)- Use for transplanting and maintenance for all horticultural needs. It reduces transplant shock, even for older plants, and can be used with or without other fertilizers.

Preparing Your Garden/New Plants (also helpful during any life stage)

MicroLife Mycorrhizal Plus (inoculant, granular)- If you’re creating or amending potting soil, building or needing to revitalize a garden bed, or establishing any new area of planting, this beneficial fungi and microbial mix is perfect for the job. Add to any lifeless soil to trigger nutrient cycling and enrich the microbiome.

MicroLife Humates (0-0-4, granular)- Always recommended for those who have clay-heavy soils. Overall, a great fertilizer for those who are unsure about their soil’s quality, want to prep a new area, or if you need to revitalize a garden bed.

MicroLife Plant/Soil Energy (amendment, liquid)- Overall, just an amazing product to add to any plant of any life stage in any soil type. It’s also a great root stimulator, so it’s great for new/young plants. Works even better paired with MicroGro Liquid AF. Think of it as the “offense” for plants, making them so healthy that they are hard to beat.

MicroLife MicroGro Liquid AF (amendment, liquid)- Overall, just an amazing product to add to any plant of any life stage in any soil type. It’s fantastic for plant protection. Works even better paired with Plant/Soil Energy. Think of it as the “defense” for plants, as the bioinoculant outcompetes soil and leaf pathogens.