Fertilizer is an excellent tool for improving the growth and productivity of your garden or lawn. A malnourished garden or yard can be coaxed back to health with the nutrients fertilizer provides, but how long does it take to sink in?
Fertilizer begins sinking into the soil immediately once watered. The effects of fertilizer will start to show after about a week. Depending on whether your fertilizer is quick-release or gradual, the effects will last anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
The rest of this article will explain how fertilizer sinks into the soil and will point out signs that your fertilizer is starting to work. I will also discuss other ways to quickly improve the quality of your soil and share some fast-acting fertilizer options to try.
How Fertilizer Sinks into Soil
When fertilizer has been applied to plants, whether in your garden, lawn, or even potted plants, it must be watered for the soil to begin absorbing the treatment. As the water soaks into the earth, the fertilizer is pushed down and absorbed by the roots of the plants.
Some fertilizers are applied directly to the leaves of the plant, in which case the nutrients would be absorbed through the foliage and carried throughout the plant and its root system.
Depending on the type of fertilizer you are using, it could take a few days for it to be fully absorbed.
Mineral Fertilizers Absorption Time
Mineral fertilizers are usually fairly quick-acting. Plants are quick to eat up mineral fertilizers, and you will see very evident growth in a short amount of time.
These fertilizers work very well when used according to the package directions; however, you should be careful not to overuse them, as this can cause salt contamination of your soil.
Organic Fertilizers Absorption Time
Organic fertilizers are popular because they don’t have any harsh added chemicals. Made from natural plant and animal waste, organic fertilizers take longer to be absorbed by the plant.
Once absorbed, however, organic fertilizers provide excellent, healthy growth without any harmful effects on the soil.
Both organic and mineral fertilizers come in many different forms. This helpful table displays how long fertilizers typically take to soak in, as well as how long it takes to notice results for each fertilizer type.
| Fertilizer Type | Absorption Time | Results Apparent |
| Liquid | Within 24 hours | After up to 4 days |
| Granular Slow Release | 2 weeks | After up to 2 weeks |
| Granular Quick Release | 2 days | After up to 2 weeks |
| Powder | Within 24 hours | After up to 5 days |
Each type of fertilizer has its own pros and cons. Which one will work for you is dependent on your own unique circumstances. You’ll want to consider your plants, the time you have to dedicate to them, and the fertilization routine you feel comfortable with when selecting a fertilizing treatment.
Signs Your Fertilizer Treatment Is Starting to Work
When you start using a new fertilizer in your garden, you may begin to wonder if it’s really working. In the early stages, it can be difficult to tell because you may not see instant improvement; instead you’ll likely see a more gradual, healthy change in growth.
To detect whether your fertilizer is working, there are a couple of things you can do:
- Take before pictures, followed by daily progress pictures.
- Conduct a soil test before the treatment and again after it’s had enough time to sink in.
Before fertilizing, take pictures of your plants. Be sure to focus on any areas that display malnourishment. Once your fertilizer has had a chance to soak in and start working (give it at least a couple of days), you can begin taking progress pictures. You can take these pictures daily or bi-weekly, but be sure to document the same areas that were malnourished originally.
By documenting the plant’s progress, you can compare its health before and after fertilizer and see if there is a difference. If you see serious improvement, you can assume your fertilizer is doing its job. If there is little to no difference, you may want to try a different approach.
Taking a soil test prior to fertilizing is a great idea, not only for monitoring the progress of soil improvement but also to detect what nutrients are missing so that you can choose the proper fertilizer type.
After you have fertilized your garden, give it a few weeks and take another soil test. You can compare the tests and verify that the soil has improved. If not, you will know which nutrients are low or missing and can adjust your strategy accordingly.
You will be able to tell that your fertilizer is working when you begin to see:
- Dark green, leafy growth.
- Improvement in brown or dry spots.
- New buds or leaves.
- Increased production in fruit and vegetable gardens.
How to Quickly Improve the Quality of Your Soil
When your soil is nutrient-deficient, it is crucial to improve the quality of the soil before planting anything in it. More importantly, if you already have plants rooted in the soil but it is lacking nutrients, it’s essential to improve the soil to encourage healthy plant growth.
Fast-acting fertilizers are a great way to improve the soil. Usually, liquid or powdered fertilizers are the fastest options, but there are other ways to improve the quality of your soil without fertilizer.
You can improve your soil’s nutrient-deficiency problems by amending the soil with peat moss, mulch, compost, or other organic matter. Amending the soil involves mixing the organic matter into the soil or layering it, depending on the soil and the plant’s needs.
Conclusion
Fertilizer doesn’t take long to sink in. In fact, it usually begins working immediately after being exposed to water. After fertilizer has been applied, watering the soil will activate the fertilizer and put it to work.
Different types of fertilizers have varying absorption times, and some show results much faster than others. Conducting a soil test before fertilizing is the best way to know what type of fertilizer your garden needs.
If you are in a hurry to see some improvement in your outdoor space, you’ll need to provide your plants with fertilizer that is uniquely right for them.
For more information on fertilizing your indoor and outdoor plants, check out my other article: How to Fertilize Indoor & Outdoor Plants (Ultimate Guide)
