N-P-K: the three major elements needed by all plants. Anyone who has seen these three letters on fertilizer bags probably knows that they stand for nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous.

• Nitrogen: a favorite for use on lawns because it aids in the developement of a healthy green foliage. But, while nitrogen does contribute to the overall health of all plants, excess can retard flower growth and actually cause excessive leaf growth. A plant suffering from a deficit of nitrogen will exhibit light green stems or leaves or small leaves. In fact, the whole plant may appear stunted; often the lower leaves will yellow and eventually, though they usually remain on the plant, dry to a light brown.

• Phosporous: particularly beneficial to flowering plants it is absolutely necessary for the development of healthy roots, flowers, fruit and seed. A plant suffering from a deficit of phosporous will also exhibit stunted growth, but the foliage will often turn dark green or the plant itself may look bluish purple. Eventually the lower leaves may look yellow between the veins and even drop off entirely.

• Potassium: basically for harmonious growth, strong roots and stems, it promotes good color and disease resistance. A plant suffering from a deficit of potassium will develop leaves that are mottled brown or black, yellow at the margin, or even dead looking at the tips. The lower leaves may eventually drop from the plant.

• Trace Elements: boron, calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, flourine, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, silicon, sulfur, tin, vanadium and zinc are essential trace elements that need to be provided by the soil or added. Other trace elements include bismuth, carbon, cerium, hydrogen, indium, iridium, lanthanum, niobium, osmium, oxygen, platinum, radium, rhodium, tellurium, thorium, thallium, uranium, and zirconium. While plants require a very small amount of these elements (that's why they're called 'trace' elements- only a trace of them is required) an absence of needed trace elements can effect the balanced growth as well as the plants ability to assimilate other needed nutrients.

• Stimulators and regulators: natural plant stimulators like abscissic acid (ABA), adenine, indole acetic acid (IAA), adenosine, and zeatin are useful in promoting strong root development and sound plant growth. Natural plant hormones such as auxins, gibberillins, and cytokinins orchestrate hormonious plant growth, establishing a uniform balance between the top bio-mass and the bottom bio-mass.

If it is necessary to correct nutrient deficiencies in the soil there are two methods: organic and synthetic. They both have their drawbacks. Synthetics fertilizers are usually less bulky and often less expensive than organic fertilizers, but they may burn plants and contain chemicals you may not want that remain in the soil for an extended time. So while synthetics may be a viable option for fertilizing flowers if used correctly, they're use should be avoided in the vegetable garden. It is important to carefully read the labels and directions of chemical fertilizers. While carrying high ratings of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, they rarely include necessary or secondary trace elements and while this might be alright for house plants it could create problems in the garden. Synthetics are highly concentrated also, creating a potential for over-feeding. Organic folients, while fast acting, are short term agents that need regular replacement. Organic fertilizers and soil amendments that are added to the soil to be broken down by soil bacteria before the plants can utilize them, however, are long lasting agents. Organic fertilizers, tend to be bulkier and more expensive. Organics, however, are safer on the plants and the environment and have a greater range of tolerance toward any user misapplication.