Potash is one of the three main nutrients plants need to thrive along with nitrogen and phosphorus. This compound contains potassium which helps plants resist disease, produce flowers and fruits, and develop strong stems and roots. If your garden soil lacks potassium, adding potash can restore this essential mineral and improve plant growth.
But where can you purchase potash fertilizer? With so many options available both online and in stores, it can get confusing This article will walk you through the different potash products, where to find them, and how to choose the right one for your needs
What Exactly Is Potash?
The term “potash” refers to a variety of potassium-rich salt compounds, The most common forms used in fertilizers include
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Muriate of potash (MOP) – Contains potassium chloride (KCl), the most widely used source of potash. MOP typically has a nutrient ratio of 0-0-60.
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Sulfate of potash (SOP) – Contains potassium sulfate (K2SO4). SOP has a nutrient ratio around 0-0-50 and is preferred for chloride-sensitive plants.
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Sulfate of potash magnesia (SOPM) – Provides potassium, sulfur, and magnesium. The nutrient ratio is around 0-0-22.
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Nitrate of potash – Supplies potassium and nitrogen. The nutrient ratio is around 13-0-44.
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Potassium nitrate – Another source of potassium and nitrogen with a ratio around 13-0-46.
While the different potash sources vary in their nutritional makeup, they all contain the invaluable potassium plants need. The best option depends on your specific garden’s needs.
Where to Buy Potash Fertilizer
Now that you know what potash is, where can you purchase it? Here are some of the best places to shop for potash fertilizer:
Online Retailers
Purchasing potash online is convenient and provides the widest selection. Many online garden stores sell popular potash products like:
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Espoma Potash – A granular 0-0-60 fertilizer made from potassium sulfate.
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Hi-Yield Muriate of Potash – Budget-friendly muriate of potash with a 0-0-60 ratio.
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Whitney Farms Organic Potash – An organic potassium supplement suitable for all plants.
Large retailers like Amazon and Walmart also offer a variety of potash fertilizers at reasonable prices with fast shipping. Make sure to compare nutrient contents carefully when shopping online.
Local Garden Stores
Visiting a local garden center or nursery is another great option for finding potash. Store staff can provide advice on selecting the right products for your needs. Look for potash fertilizers like:
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Jobe’s Organics Potash Fertilizer – An organic potassium supplement made from sulfate of potash.
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Espoma Organic Potassium – Granular potash derived from potassium sulfate and magnesium sulfate.
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Dr. Earth Potassium – An all-natural, organic potassium fertilizer blend.
Many local stores also stock national potash brands like Espoma, Hi-Yield, and Miracle-Gro. Shopping in person makes it easy to compare labels.
Home Improvement Stores
Big box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s offer a decent potash selection alongside their garden fertilizers. Some commonly stocked products include:
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Vigoro Potash – Muriate of potash in several size options.
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Miracle-Gro Potash – Water-soluble muriate of potash designed to provide a quick potassium boost.
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Jobe’s Organics Granular Potash – An organic potassium supplement made with feather meal and kelp.
While selection is more limited than specialty garden retailers, convenience and cost savings make these stores worth checking out. You can often price match with online listings too.
Farm & Feed Stores
Rural farm supply or feed stores catering to the agriculture industry are another place to look for potash fertilizers. These stores are more likely to stock bulk bags of potash at very affordable prices. Some brands commonly found include:
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Producers Pride Potash – An affordable muriate of potash sold in bulk quantities.
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CSI Potash – A muriate of potash fertilizer available in bags up to 2,000 pounds.
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Redmond Potash – Mineral-based, natural potash suitable for organic gardening.
Farm stores are ideal for purchasing large amounts of potash if needed for the serious gardener. Call ahead to check availability of bulk options.
What to Look for When Buying Potash
Now that you know the best places to purchase potash fertilizer, keep these tips in mind when selecting a product:
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Potassium percentage – Check that the guaranteed potassium content meets your garden’s needs. Muriate of potash contains about 50-60% potassium.
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Nutrient ratio – Pay attention to the NPK numbers on the label, which indicate nutrient levels. A fertilizer with a 0-0-60 ratio contains no nitrogen or phosphorus, just high potassium levels.
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Purpose – Make sure to choose a potash product suited for your intended use, whether that’s vegetables, flowers, trees, or orchards.
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Application method – Some potash fertilizers are designed for broadcast spreading, while others can be dissolved in water for liquid feeding.
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Organic vs. conventional – Organic potash options avoid synthetic chemicals for gardens wanting to follow organic principles.
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Quantity – Consider how much area you need to fertilize to determine whether a small bag or large bulk quantity makes sense.
Following these guidelines will ensure you select an effective potash fertilizer that provides potassium in the right amounts for your soil. Paying attention to product details can make all the difference in your garden’s health.
Key Takeaways on Purchasing Potash
Potash provides potassium, an essential nutrient for healthy, productive plants. Follow this advice when shopping for potash fertilizer:
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Check online garden retailers for the widest selection of quality potash products.
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Visit local nurseries and garden stores for personalized advice and available options.
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Look for value deals on trusted brands at big box home improvement stores.
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Inquire at farm supply stores for budget-friendly bulk potash in large quantities.
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Compare nutrient contents like potassium percentage and NPK ratios when choosing products.
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Select an organic or conventional fertilizer suited for your gardening needs.
With so many potash products on the market, take time to research before purchasing. Provide your garden with the right potassium nutrition and enjoy the benefits of improved flowers, fruits, and plant hardiness. The ideal potash fertilizer for lush growth is out there – happy hunting!
When to apply potash
As with most nutrients, plants can only take up potash when in active growth, and also when the soil is moist (or the fertilizer is applied as a liquid) so it can be drawn up through the roots or absorbed through the leaves if applied as a foliar feed. Apply potash from early spring to late summer.
How to make your own potash-rich comfrey fertilizer
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a plant that is naturally high in potash with deep roots that draw up nutrients into its leaves. Grow your own comfrey plants and you can make your own organic fertilizer, by harvesting the leaves, keeping in a large container for a few weeks, and drawing off the resulting liquid that can be used to feed flowering and fruiting plants.
What Does Potassium (Potash) Do For Lawns & Grasses
FAQ
Where can we find potash?
Global potash production was estimated at 67.5 million tonnes in 2023. Canada remained the world’s largest producer, contributing 32.4% of the global supply. Canada, Russia and Belarus typically dominate global potash production, together accounting for 65.9% in 2023, similar to the previous year.
Where do you get potash from?
Most potash mines today are deep shaft mines as much as 4,400 feet (1,400 m) underground. Others are mined as strip mines, having been laid down in horizontal layers as sedimentary rock. In above-ground processing plants, the KCl is separated from the mixture to produce a high-analysis potassium fertilizer.
What can potash be used for?
Potash, primarily a source of potassium, is widely used as a fertilizer to enhance plant growth, improve crop yields, and increase disease resistance. It also has applications in various industrial processes, including the production of glass, ceramics, detergents, and water softeners.
What is another name for potash?
potash, various potassium compounds, chiefly crude potassium carbonate. The names caustic potash, potassa, and lye are frequently used for potassium hydroxide (see potassium). In fertilizer terminology, potassium oxide is called potash.