1. yes
2. Some plants (and some soils) need more nitrogen. While neither of these is high in nitrogen 5-3-3 would be preferable where more nitrogen is needed.
3. about like comparing a Ford to a Chevrolet.

3. about like comparing a Ford to a Chevrolet.

SO, only the old stuff is worthy? :P

Kevin

1. yes

2. that's why you need to know the nutrient needs of the various plants you are growing. Or at least the needs of the basic classes of vegetables - root crops, fruiting crops, and leafy green crops. Then you have to factor in the soil condition and nutrient levels and the method of growing (in ground or in containers).

An old garden adage has more than a grain of truth in it. "N for shoots, P and K for blooms and roots."

3. no

Dave

This post was edited by digdirt on Thu, Jun 27, 13 at 14:55

Those may be being sold more for potted plants where you would want to lean towards higher N to get foliar growth early on and use the lower N one for getting the foliar growth to ease up and the plants to develop and maintain flowers and/or fruit. It is likely the Higher N fertilizer will be more acidic than the other, haven't scrutinized the labels yet.

It does not mater who made them or selling them, they are basically different.
5-3-3- is richer in N, for things like leafy greens, 46%N, 27%P, 27%K'(comparatively)
3-4-4 is the opposite. 27%N, 36.5%P, 36.5%K. This better for things that flower/root/fruit. I would use this one for tomatoes.

I think they manufacture each element(N, P, K) separately and then mix them at various ratios with inactive ingredients.