The power of water: how to get the most out of your fertilizer

Everyone knows that plants need water. But what many gardeners don’t realize is this: water isn’t just important for keeping your plants alive, it’s essential for making your fertilizer work.

You can provide the best nutrients, carefully measured, organically sourced, and so on… but if the soil is dry, those nutrients just sit there. Without water, nothing happens. No uptake, no growth, no effect. A waste of effort, a waste of fertilizer. In this blog, we dive into the power of water and show you how to get more out of your fertilization.

Water activates nutrients

Nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and magnesium are essential for growth, flowering, and resistance. But before a plant can use them, these nutrients must be dissolved in water. Plant roots cannot absorb solid substances: they can only “drink” dissolved nutrients in the form of ions. If the soil is dry, nothing happens. The nutrients stay locked in the soil, soil life slows down, and your plants hardly grow—even though it seems like you’ve “fed” them.

Think of it this way: water is like a taxi for nutrients. Without water, the nutrients literally stay on the curb. Even if fertilizer is in the soil, your plant can only use it once there’s enough moisture to dissolve it and transport it to the active root zones.

Too dry? Your fertilizer won’t work

Especially during dry periods, you can see it immediately: you’ve applied fertilizer, but your plants don’t seem to respond. Growth is slow, leaves may turn pale or dull, and the plants look less vital.

This doesn’t necessarily mean your fertilizer is bad or that you’re doing something wrong. It may simply be that there isn’t enough water to dissolve the nutrients and carry them to the roots. Without adequate moisture, the nutrients remain locked in the soil, and your plants cannot absorb them.

Tip: Never fertilize completely dry soil. Lightly moisten the soil first. This prevents the nutrients from “evaporating” without effect. Also, ensure there’s enough moisture after applying fertilizer, either from rainfall or by watering yourself.

Rain is helpful, but not always

A gentle rain after fertilizing is actually ideal. It helps the fertilizer slowly penetrate the soil, right where the plant roots are and where the nutrients are most needed.

But be careful: not all rain is the same. Heavy rainfall can wash nutrients too deep, beyond the reach of the roots. In that case, your plants won’t benefit at all.

If you water yourself, make sure you don’t just wet the surface a little. You need to give enough water so it penetrates deeply, at least 10 to 15 centimeters. Only then will your fertilizer truly do its job.

Good soil is just as important

Watering only works well if your soil can also retain it. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to improve your soil so that water and nutrients don’t simply drain away but are optimally used:

1. Add organic material

   Organic matter like compost, leaf litter, manure, or organic fertilizers (such as MAYA) improves soil structure. It acts like a sponge, retaining both water and nutrients. The more organic matter, the better your soil holds water and gradually releases nutrients.

2. Mulch

   Apply a layer of mulch (such as wood chips, straw, or leaves) on top of the soil. This reduces evaporation, keeps the soil cool, and allows rainwater to soak in rather than run off.

3. Ensure good drainage but prevent leaching

   Healthy soil lets excess water drain so roots can breathe, but prevent water from washing away nutrients by improving soil structure and timing fertilization and watering correctly.

4. Avoid excessive digging or tilling

   Too much soil disturbance disrupts structure and soil life. Healthy soil with active microorganisms retains water better and helps fertilizers be converted into usable forms.

5. Choose slow-release fertilizers

   Slow-release fertilizers, like MAYA, ensure nutrients are released gradually and are less likely to leach away with rain or watering.

Smart fertilizing = smart watering

Smart fertilizing starts with smart watering. Without moisture, nothing happens. Nutrients can only be absorbed if dissolved in water. Never fertilize completely dry soil—make sure the ground is always slightly moist so nutrients can dissolve and be taken up.

Expecting rain? That’s the perfect time to fertilize. A gentle shower helps the fertilizer reach the roots where it’s needed most. During prolonged dry periods, do the opposite: water first, or fertilize and then water afterward, so nutrients don’t remain on the surface but penetrate the soil.

Water may seem obvious, but it is the invisible ingredient that determines whether your plants grow or stagnate, and whether your fertilizer works or not. Choose, if possible, a slow-release fertilizer. This prevents nutrients from being washed away by the first rain and gives your plants the chance to absorb them gradually.

So next time you feed your plants, ask yourself this important question: is there enough moisture to make it really work? Because only when water and nutrients work together can your garden truly thrive.