Do plants need to be fertilized? What nutrients are most important to them? Do all plants have the same needs? Harvesting fruits and vegetables, as well as group plantings of plants of the same species, deprives the soil in our gardens of nutrients. Therefore, fertilizing the soil becomes essential so that our plants have everything they need to grow and develop. According to the current state of knowledge, in addition to carbon (C), hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O), the following elements are essential for plant growth: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo), boron (B) and chlorine (Cl). Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are needed by plants in larger quantities, and magnesium, calcium and sulfur in slightly smaller quantities. We call these 6 components macroelements. Plants have a smaller demand for the remaining elements, we call them microelements. It is important that each of the necessary substances is available to our specimens at the right time and in the required quantity. Failure to meet these conditions leads to disorders in plant development, which are quite difficult to recognize. They grow worse, have weaker flowering and worse yields, leaves often turn yellow and fall off. The majority of nutrients are absorbed by plants from the soil solution. They are mainly taken up by the root growth cones and thin-walled root hairs, located in the zone just above the cone. They migrate to the cell walls of the roots, from where they are distributed to the interior of the plant. The ability to accumulate and release nutrients varies depending on the type of substrate. Heavy soils are usually rich in nutrients, but they are difficult for plants to access. In the case of light, sandy soils, the situation is the opposite. The best conditions for plants to absorb minerals are guaranteed by slightly warmed, loose and well-aerated soils. Preparations have appeared in stores that improve the structure of the soil, and thus affect better absorption of nutrients. For example, nitrogen affects the growth and development of the plant by increasing its green mass. Phosphorus affects the development and growth of roots of freshly planted plants and supports the photosynthesis process, which is essential for beautiful flowering. Potassium affects the assimilation of carbon dioxide and the regulation of water management in plants. It also improves resistance to low temperatures and diseases. All of these elements are therefore extremely necessary for plants, which is why we have multi-component fertilizers available in stores. However, individual plant species often need nutrients to a different extent. Hence the frequent division of fertilizers based on the group of plants for which they were composed. In them, macro and microelements have been selected to best meet their specific needs. In Poland, the main fertilization should be performed in spring - in April or May. It can be continued in summer, but the last feeding with nitrogen fertilizers can be carried out at the end of July at the latest. It is best to use universal multi-component fertilizers to fertilize woody species. For coniferous species, it is worth using fertilizers rich in magnesium. Heather plants, on the other hand, should be fed with physiologically acidic fertilizers, i.e. those that cause acidification of the substrate, e.g. ammonium sulphate. There are many fertilizers available commercially, intended for fertilizing specific groups of plants, e.g. roses, hydrangeas, flowering shrubs or conifers. They can definitely be used, because they have a fixed, optimal chemical composition for a given group of plants. We can also use a very large range of liquid fertilizers. They are used much more frequently than bulk fertilizers, diluted in water and supplied to plants by watering or spraying. Remember not to spray in full sun, a cloudy day will be much better. A new group of fertilizers is available commercially - with controlled release of nutrients, so-called long-term. These are balls surrounded by a special cover, which causes a gradual, several-month release of nutrients into the soil (from 3 to 6 months). A separate group are organic fertilizers, which, in addition to providing nutrients to the soil, also introduce humus and humic compounds that significantly improve soil quality and, as a result, contribute to intensive plant growth. Composts are good fertilizers of this type. Compost can be added to the substrate at the time of planting, by mixing it with the local soil. Such a procedure has a positive effect on the development in the first stage of their growth in a new place. It will also be a good pre-sowing fertilizer. After its application, we can sow selected vegetables and flowers. Manure is also very valuable. In its case, the rule should be adopted to introduce it into the soil a few months before planting or sowing the plants, e.g. in a