If you walk into a home and garden shop asking for a bag of fertilizer, be prepared to answer a couple of questions. That's because not all types of fertilizers are equal. I learned that lesson the very first year I planted my backyard garden. My goal was to grow vegetables, so I didn't need fertilizers that were intended to help flowers grow. I did need a product that would add certain nutrients to the soil that were not currently present. Fortunately, the owner of the local feed shop asked me a few questions and was able to direct me to a product that was right for my needs. Before you begin plowing up land for planting, let me tell you more about choosing the right fertilizer. Follow the advice and get ready to harvest enough vegetables to feed your family and still give some away to friends.