There are three numbers on every bag of fertilizer, and those numbers tell just what is in that bag. It's important to use the right one.

Abbreviated NPK, the numbers represent the percentage, by weight, of three major plant nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. For example, a fertilizer designated as 24-8-16 is 24 percent nitrogen, 8 percent phosphorus and 16 percent potassium.

Any additional ingredients will be listed on the side label. This may include other nutrients like calcium, magnesium, iron, micronutrients and even the percentage of organic matter.

Speaking of organics, they must specify which nutrient(s) is organic, and it must be identified as either synthetic and/or natural, by percentage. For example: 20 percent of nitrogen organic (6 percent synthetic, 14 percent organic). Everything in that bag marked "organic fertilizer" isn't necessarily all organic.

I searched the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Organic Program's website for what felt like an hour to find some sort of definition of an "organic" fertilizer, and possibly a list of accepted additives. I found there are several levels of "organic" and that some chemical fertilizer components can be included in small quantities. "Natural" means something else all together!

So what do the different nutrients do?

To promote growth in leaves, flowers, vegetable plants and grass: add nitrogen (N). It helps produce a darker green plant color by encouraging chlorophyll formation, and nitrogen is also a building block for plant protein.

To promote healthy root formation: add phosphate/ phosphorus (P). Phosphate helps flowering plants reach maturity earlier, increases the plant's flowering ability and increase the size of the blooms.

To promote fruit and vegetable formation: add potash/potassium (K). It strengthens the plant tissues, and is essential for photosynthesis. Potash also increases the plant's resistance to disease and increases the plant or tree's ability to survive the cold winter months.

Typically, for general use, get the fertilizer with the highest first number, with the highest percentage of nitrogen. If you want to toughen up your plants for better drought, disease or winter resistance, use a fertilizer with a high last number, containing more potassium.

Don't think more is better: applying too much fertilizer can burn your plants and lawn. Follow the instructions on the bag.

Don't correct the soil, correct the plants

Someone asked me how to correct her alkaline soil before she planted her perennial bed. Why fight nature? I suggest she pick native plants that adapt to her acid soil, such as Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), globe thistle (Ehinops giganteus) and Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale). But if she's still intent on changing her soil, I suggest she add iron sulfate or ammonium sulfate. Granular sulfate is cheap, but slow to work. It's a slow process to lower soil pH and can take several years, especially if your soil is heavy clay.

Adding peat moss or cottonseed meal will help acidify the soil.

More pruning

Just before spring growth starts, cut your entire redtwig dogwood down to jut a few inches above the soil. The newest stems are the brightest, and it will keep it from getting tall and leggy.

If you like a more billowy form with more variation in the color, according to Horticulture Magazine, just remove about a third of the oldest canes each year.

There are at least three species often called redtwig, and many cultivars within those species. They are:

Red osier dogwood, or "Cornus Sericea" (not good in hot, humid parts of the country); Tartarian dogwood, "Cornus alba" (has variegated form that may be sold under the name 'Elegantissima' and needs afternoon shade) and bloodtwig dogwood, "Cornus sanguinea" (grows rapidly).

Lead Gardener of the Day

The newly organized Manna Meal Community Garden Committee is looking for volunteers to be "Lead Gardener for the Day."

The job is to volunteer for just one gardening work party in 2011 to fulfill the following list of tasks:

Be the first to arrive at the garden to greet and help other volunteers sign in; get everyone to sign this year's waiver (they do this every year); communicate the tasks available for the day so folks can decide what they want to do; help with planting and/or harvesting and record what was accomplished on pre-printed forms.

The lead gardener must also ensure that produce harvested is sent to the Manna Meal kitchen, help clean up trash and secure everything.

The group is planning an online calendar on the Manna Meal website where folks can schedule their day to volunteer for this special position, but until that gets into place, email drmusic...@suddenlink.net.

Reach Sara Busse at sara.bu...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1249.