The first just looks like grit, does it smell like ferts? The second could be anything (or a combo of things).

tj

First one looks like the 12-12-12 that I have. Have not come across the 2nd pic

If they cannot be identified accurately, then you shouldn't use them. If you do not know the guaranteed analysis - a Federal requirement of any fertilizer - then there is no way of knowing how to use, how much to use or when to use. Unnecessary use of fertilizers leads to major water pollution issues.

btw, they also need to be disposed of as hazardous waste. That should tell you something.......

Would also agree that the first looks more like a gritty, mineral base soil mix, not a fertilizer, although there may be a few fert beads mixed in.

Mary, darling......bad advice is bad advice. And you provided it in spades :-)

I don't care if you are a doctor and how a DNP makes one informed about things horticultural stretches all manner of credulity. Really?? You are presenting that flimsy piece of evidence that you know what you are talking about with regards to fertilizer usage? Please, please inform the unenlightened - which you seem to think I am - what kind of plants require a pound of phosphorus a year. Enquiring minds want to know what these monsters may be :-) If it was all that necessary, why is it that eleven states have laws restricting the sale of high P ferts and why many lawn fertilizers are now manufactured specifically lacking any P?

And if you want to compare 'chops', I am happy to match my two degrees, including one in horticulture, my college level teaching credentials and a 30 year career as an educator, consulting horticulturist and plant pathologist against your nursing experience. We ARE talking plants here, sweetie, and accepted horticultural practices, not sick people! And there is also the 25+ years and 50K comments here on GW against your few months and 60 odd comments, if you really want to get down and dirty.

You truly don't have a clue what you are talking about so perhaps best not to make any further comments and embarrass yourself any more than you already have.

If you don't know what the material is it should be disposed of according to Federal, State, and local regulations

If you want to use it because you have this thing about throwing what may be a fertilizer away, then submit samples of both to a local laboratory for assayed. They should be assayed for Potassium, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus. You probably should have it assayed for Sodium to get a material balance, If the above test are negative it should be tested for common herbicides, and other poisons.

Bottom line is that once you have paid for the assays, you will have spent many time the cost of going out and buying fertilizer and disposing of these according to Federal, State, and local regulations