One of the great things about outdoor plants is they require very little attention. They gather all of the nutrients they need from the surrounding air and soil, and in an environment that is anything but arid, require very little to no feeding. This is in contrast to indoor plants, which require a thoughtful and constant eye from the gardener. If you're not careful though, even outdoor plants can suffer if not properly setup and looked after.

Fertilizers come with varying concentrations of three key elements, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium, and the degree to which each element exists in a particular fertilizer is displayed on the packaging, abbreviated as three numbers separated by dashes. 10-10-10, an equal mixture of all three elements is common, but many other mixtures can be found to suit individual plants or patches of garden.

Each plant species will require different amounts of these elements to thrive, and just as they can wilt under too little of these elements, so too can they suffer if given an overdose of the wrong element. The season will also affect the needs of many plants, with flowering plants requiring more sustenance in spring while they grow, and less in the fall.

Plants also absorb this fertilizer at differing rates. Fertilizer with slow-release nitrogen beads is often ideal, as they deliver material below the surface at a steady rate.

Phosphorus is essential for flowering plants, and is tied in with the pH level, or acidity of the soil. This pH scale functions on a scale from 0-14, with 7, the pH level of water being neutral. The lower on the scale, the more acidic the compound is, the higher on the scale the more basic.

If soil is either too basic or too acidic, it can affect absorption and release of phosphorus, inhibiting plant growth, especially the growth of roots.

The finally element, potassium helps fight diseases and also promotes the development of fruit bearing plants. It aids fruit growth and development by transporting elements throughout the tissues of the plant.

Another convenient fertilizer option is to go with an all purpose liquid, which works with a number of different plants, effectively delivering an even level of fertilizer. For some plants with higher absorption rates though, this method may result in delivering elements to the plant too quickly, potentially poisoning the plant.

Whichever method and degree of fertilizer you choose, always be sure to apply the fertilizer to dry soil. Applying the fertilizer to wet soil can lead to an increased concentration of elements and damage the plant.

New plants will not need fertilizer after purchase in most cases, save for flowering plants in spring. All others should be fine to begin with if they were properly maintained at the gardening center before purchase.

Through careful soil and element manipulation, you can ensure your plants will survive and thrive under almost any condition, and with a minimal level of further upkeep required. Be sure to read the labels on your plants, or consult someone with a knowledge of the plant to ascertain its ideal fertilizer choice.