Best Fertilizer For Onions And Garlic of 2024: Top 5 Picks

By Harry RamosLast update: 2024-04-19

Taking care of plants is not an easy task as each type of plant requires a different nutrition program and environment. Proper care is especially important for vegetables, determining the quantity and quality of the yield.

With that in mind, in this post, we will focus on garlic and onions and show you how to choose the best fertilizer for onions and garlic.

Here are the best fertilizers for onions and garlic you can buy in 2024:

  • Best For Rapid Growth: Down to Earth Blood Meal Fertilizer Mix 12-0-0, 5 lb
  • Long-Lasting Effect: Burpee Organic Blood Meal Fertilizer, 3 lb 12-0-0
  • Quick-Acting: Ammonium Sulfate 21-0-0 Fertilizer
  • Best For Healthier Bulbs: Espoma ORGANIC BLOOD MEAL ALL NATURAL PLANT FOOD
  • Easy To Apply: Jobe's Organics Blood Meal Fertilizer
5 Best Fertilizers For Onions And Garlic
Best For Rapid Growth
Down to Earth Blood Meal Fertilizer Mix 12-0-0, 5 lb
    Long-Lasting Effect
    Burpee Organic Blood Meal Fertilizer, 3 lb 12-0-0
      Quick-Acting
      Ammonium Sulfate 21-0-0 Fertilizer
        Best For Healthier Bulbs
        Espoma ORGANIC BLOOD MEAL ALL NATURAL PLANT FOOD
          Easy To Apply
          Jobe's Organics Blood Meal Fertilizer

            Best For Rapid Growth: Down to Earth Blood Meal Fertilizer Mix 12-0-0, 5 lb

            Down to Earth Blood Meal Fertilizer Mix 12-0-0, 5 lb
            Down to Earth Blood Meal Fertilizer Mix 12-0-0, 5 lb
            Pros
            • Dependable and safe to use - OMRI-listed
            • Ensure the healthiest and fastest growth of onions and garlic – the 12-0-0 formula with a high content of nitrogen
            Cons
            • The plastic bags are very thin

            If you want to boost your onion and garlic growth speed, you should try this OMRI-listed organic fertilizer by Down to Earth.

            It is blended carefully from the best organic nutrient sources that work with organic matter, fungi, microorganisms in the soil to help plants thrive happily and healthily. It also helps compost piles heat up and break down quickly.

            The Blood Meal is guaranteed to contain absolutely no low-quality fillers, growth stimulants, or synthetics in their ingredients.

            The increased content of nitrogen in this fertilizer is also helpful for heavy feeders, such as leafy greens, broccoli, spinach, and corn.

            Down to Earth Blood Meal Fertilizer Mix 12-0-0, 5 lb Specifications

            Size

            5 Pounds

            Coverage Area

            Over 100 square feet

            Fertilizer Analysis

            12-0-0

            Highlight Features

            OMRI-listed

            the 12-0-0 formula with a high content of nitrogen

            Verdict

            In terms of boosting rapid growth in onions and garlic, the Down to Earth Blood Meal Fertilizer Mix 12-0-0 is our forever favorite choice.

            Long-Lasting Effect: Burpee Organic Blood Meal Fertilizer, 3 lb 12-0-0

            Burpee Organic Blood Meal Fertilizer, 3 lb 12-0-0
            Burpee Organic Blood Meal Fertilizer, 3 lb 12-0-0
            Pros
            • Trustworthy and reliable – made in the USA
            • Not easily blown away in the wind or messy – thick granules
            • Long-lasting effects, commonly over the course of several months
            Cons
            • The sealing part doesn’t work well

            Proudly made in the USA, the Burpee Organic Blood Meal Fertilizer is our next confident suggestion for anyone who is finding a high-quality fertilizer for their onion and garlic garden.

            While providing a great organic nitrogen source for plant growth, it is outstanding for long-lasting effects (commonly over the course of several months). Aside from onions and garlic, this fertilizer is particularly suitable for blossom-end rot tomatoes or late-blooming pumpkins.

            Its thick granules are a big bonus as they aren’t as easily blown away in the wind as other fertilizers. Besides, it causes no mess at all.

            Burpee Organic Blood Meal Fertilizer, 3 lb 12-0-0 Specifications

            Size

            3 pounds

            Fertilizer Analysis

            12-0-0

            Highlight Features

            made in the USA

            thick granules

            No Assembly Required

            An Excellent Organic Source Of Nitrogen

            Verdict

            The Burpee Organic Blood Meal Fertilizer is an efficient and economical way to provide nutrients to the soil of your onion and garlic garden. Each application can last over the course of several months.

            Quick-Acting: Ammonium Sulfate 21-0-0 Fertilizer

            Ammonium Sulfate 21-0-0 Fertilizer
            Ammonium Sulfate 21-0-0 Fertilizer
            Pros
            • Deliver instant effects - contain sulfur and water-soluble nitrogen
            • Affordable - 50 pounds/pack & a competitive price tag
            Cons
            • Hard to use each time because the bag is heavy

            Completely contrasting to the Burpee Organic Blood Meal, this fertilizer is quick-acting.

            It contains 24% sulfur and 21% water-soluble nitrogen, following the 21-0-0 formula to give your onions and garlic nearly instant effects. The rich amount of sulfur is also a perfect source for low pH levels in alkaline soil or acid-loving plants.

            Each pack is 50 pounds in weight. For the price, this is a steal for tight-budget farmers or gardeners.

            Ammonium Sulfate 21-0-0 Fertilizer Specifications

            Size

            50 pounds

            Coverage Area

            Roadcast: 100 sq.ft./0.5 pound

            Broadcast: 1,000 sq.ft./5 pounds

            Fertilizer Analysis

            21-0-0

            Highlight Features

            contain 24% sulfur and 21% water-soluble nitrogen

            a high amount of sulfur

            50 pounds/pack

            Verdict

            At the current, Ammonium Sulfate 21-0-0 Fertilizer is the most sought-after option for those gardeners who want to provide a reliable fast-acting nitrogen source to their soil.

            Best For Healthier Bulbs: Espoma ORGANIC BLOOD MEAL ALL NATURAL PLANT FOOD

            Espoma ORGANIC BLOOD MEAL ALL NATURAL PLANT FOOD
            Espoma ORGANIC BLOOD MEAL ALL NATURAL PLANT FOOD
            Pros
            • Easy to use – sealed bag design
            • Perfect for the growing stage of onions and garlic - 12:0:0 formula
            • Safe and dependable to apply on plants – all-natural fertilizer
            Cons
            • A bit pricey

            The Espoma ORGANIC BLOOD MEAL ALL NATURAL PLANT FOOD is synonymous with a magical time-proven remedy for sick plants.

            It’s also endorsed to produce naturally more vigorous plants with greener, richer leaves, all thanks to the pure source of organic Nitrogen. For onions and garlic, it boosts bulbs to thrive more healthily for better crops.

            Use it throughout the growing season if you want to supplement nitrogen fertilizer for your garden. Otherwise, the best time to use it is in the spring and autumn.

            Espoma ORGANIC BLOOD MEAL ALL NATURAL PLANT FOOD Specifications

            Size

            3.6 pounds

            Fertilizer Analysis

            12-0-0

            Highlight Features

            sealed bag design

            12:0:0 formula

            all-natural fertilizer

            Verdict

            The Espoma ORGANIC BLOOD MEAL ALL NATURAL PLANT FOOD is our solid option for anyone who wants to boost the growth of their onion and garlic garden for the healthiest bulbs.

            Easy To Apply: Jobe's Organics Blood Meal Fertilizer

            Jobe's Organics Blood Meal Fertilizer
            Jobe's Organics Blood Meal Fertilizer
            Pros
            • Easy to apply – come in a three-pound weight package & detailed instructions
            • Safe and dependable – organic gardening application approval & 100% organic blood meal
            • Smell good
            Cons
            • Wish it had a sealable part or zipper
            • Expensive

            The Jobe's Organics Blood Meal Fertilizer is the easiest way to ensure your soil contains enough minerals for onion and garlic growth.

            You only have to fertilize once a month in the spring and autumn.

            There also come with manual instructions to follow.

            Like other fertilizers, this one is an all-natural blood meal and its formula receives approval for organic gardening. It provides water-soluble nitrogen to boost plants’ growth in the healthiest way. The unit is also ideal for balancing nutrients in compost piles as well.

            Jobe's Organics Blood Meal Fertilizer Specifications

            Size

            3.3 pounds

            Fertilizer Analysis

            12-0-0

            Highlight Features

            come in a three-pound weight package & detailed instructions

            organic gardening application approval & 100% organic blood meal

            Smell good

            Verdict

            After extensive tests, we finally find that the Jobe's Organics Blood Meal Fertilizer is excellent for beginner gardeners due to its ease of application.

            How To Choose The Best Fertilizer For Onions And Garlic?

            NPK ratio

            When you choose a fertilizer for plants, the NPK ratio is among the most important things to consider as it determines the amount and balance of nutrients they will receive.

            For onions, which have a shallow root system, require nutrient-rich soil. Specifically, you should look for a higher nitrogen level to increase the yield as well as improve bulb quality along with storability as well as disease resistance. The best ratio to go with is 16-6-4.

            Garlic also needs nitrogen-rich fertilizers that consist of materials like alfalfa, blood meal, guano, and bone meal to supply the plant with this element.

            To get the best NPK ratio, remember to read the three numbers written on the package. The numbers are arranged in this order: nitrogen – phosphorus – potassium.

            Micronutrients

            To get the best yield, you should consider providing micronutrients for your plant as well. These include zinc, copper, and manganese, which are especially important if you grow onion in poor soil.

            Which Brands Make The Best Fertilizer For Onions And Garlic?

            Burpee

            Since 1881, this brand has been innovating the seed market and got a reputation for its innovation. Here, you will surely find the fertilizer perfect for your garlic and onions.

            Espoma

            Over the past 92 years, this brand has become a leading brand in terms of fertilizer. Its fertilizers are now the top choices for both professional gardeners and amateur ones.

            Down to Earth

            Founded in 1977, this brand specializes in making alternatives for synthetic and plastic materials. It now supplies fertilizers made with the highest quality materials on the market.

            Jobe's

            This brand offers a wide range of gardening products to make your garden both healthier and more beautiful.

            FAQs

            Do tomatoes and garlic grow well together?

            Yes, you can. Planting garlic and tomatoes together can actually repel spider mites for tomatoes.

            How do you increase the yield of onion?

            There are a few things to remember if you want to raise the yield of onion.

            • Plant spacing and density will determine the size and number of the bulb. You will get higher yields in areas with early leaf cover that maintains for a long time before the bulb formation.
            • Due to the shallow root system, onions have a low nutrient uptake, so you must deploy a fertilizer program suitable for this condition to increase yields.
            • Pay attention to macronutrient uptake, which includes potassium and nitrogen for onions. You must make sure that you supply a lot of these materials for the plants.

            Do onions like lots of fertilizer?

            You should apply 1 cup of fertilizer on every 20 feet of row. But the amount of fertilizer is not as important as the NPK ratio. Remember that onions require a high rate of nitrogen in order to grow well.

            What is the best time to fertilize garlic?

            Spring is the best time for fertilizing garlic. Either broadcasting or side dressing with pelleted chicken manure, blood meal, or another source of nitrogen at the time is great for the plant.

            Should you water garlic after fertilizing?

            Yes, you should water it within 48 hours after fertilizing to help release the fertilizer into the soil.

            Conclusion

            You have reached the end of our detailed guide on choosing the best fertilizer for onions and garlic. We hope that you have understood all the information we provided here to quickly buy the right fertilizer for your plants.

            I’m Harry Ramos, who's crazy about all things green. I’m here to share some experience in my gardening adventure and how to choose the best products for your garden. Let's dig in, get our hands dirty, and celebrate the simple, earthy pleasures of the garden together!


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