N - Nitrogen

Nitrogen, or N, using its scientific abbreviation, is a colorless, odorless element. Nitrogen is in the soil under our feet, in the water we drink, and in the air we breathe. In fact, nitrogen is the most abundant element in Earth’s atmosphere - approximately 78% of the atmosphere is nitrogen!

Nitrogen is important to all living things, including us. It plays a key role in plant growth: too little nitrogen and plants cannot thrive, leading to low crop yields. Too much nitrogen, however, can be toxic to plants.

Nitrogen is the element most important for plants in the process of cell reproduction. When plants do not get enough nitrogen, they are unable to produce amino acids. Without amino acids, plants cannot make the special proteins that the plant cells need to grow.

It allows for vibrant, dense foliage - however, too much nitrogen may cause a plant to focus its energy too much on leaves, and inhibit its flowering/rooting. Too little will cause a plant to cease growth, yellow, and die.