First Number

• The first "0" in a 0-0-22 fertilizer is an indicator of the nitrogen content in the product. Nitrogen in a fertilizer is an important plant nutrient because nitrogen is part of chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants that helps with the food-making process of photosynthesis. In addition, nitrogen boosts seed and fruit production in plants. Because a fertilizer such as a 0-0-22 fertilizer lacks nitrogen, it is appropriate for planting areas that already are nitrogen-rich. Too much nitrogen will lead to plants that have a lot of foliage but are not very strong and also enhance disease development.
  
  

Second Number

• The second "0" in a 0-0-22 fertilizer is the amount of phosphorus in the fertilizer. Phosphorus is critical to a plant because phosphorus helps plants turn the sun's energy into chemical energy. In addition, phosphorus stimulates the growth of roots/blooms and assists plants in growing quickly. A 0-0-22 fertilizer that lacks phosphorus is suitable for an area that is not lacking this nutrient. In fact, too much phosphorus in a planting area is unhelpful because phosphorus easily becomes fixed onto soil and gets eroded in rainwater runoff.
  
  

Third Number

• The "22" in a 0-0-22 fertilizer shows you the amount of potassium in the product -- 22 percent. Potassium is a vital plant nutrient because it helps plants in photosynthesis and also helps build proteins. In addition, potassium makes grass stress-tolerant as well as resistant to pests and diseases. Plants with enough potassium also are more likely to have well-formed roots and strong stalks, and they can withstand droughts and winters. A 0-0-22 fertilizer is very useful in planting areas that do not feature enough potassium.
  
  

Type

• A 0-0-22 fertilizer is called potassium magnesium sulfate. In addition to featuring potassium, the fertilizer is helpful for treating soil that has magnesium deficiencies. Magnesium is an important nutrient because it plays a critical role in chlorophyll production and actually keeps grass from turning yellow. The sulfur in this type of fertilizer also helps the upper parts of plants to stay dark green instead of turning light green. A 0-0-22 fertilizer is very water soluble and thus is extremely effective in liquid form.