A growth-enhancing element for enhancing plant growth includes a substrate and a plurality of discrete portions of fertilizer. The substrate includes at least one first layer of polymer and at least one second layer of polymer disposed over the at least one first layer of polymer. The discrete portions of fertilizer are encapsulated in the substrate such that the plurality of discrete portions of fertilizer are disposed between the at least one first layer of polymer and the at least one second layer of polymer. The discrete portions of fertilizer each have a flat side that abuts the at least one first layer of polymer and a rounded side that abuts the at least one second layer of polymer. The substrate is configured and arranged to controllably release the fertilizer from the substrate over a period of time.
