Home growers use fertilizer for their plants, however they do not know much about the contents and usage of the used fertilizer. As a result, they are not getting as much produce as they should because of the underlying problems such as malnutrition, disease and insects.
Nutrients:
Extra supplements in the form of fertilizers are required by your plants as well as your garden space. The garden soil loses its fertility over time and needs fertilizers for replenishment.
There are a total of 6 nutrients that your plant requires the most:
- Carbon
- Hydrogen
- Oxygen
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
There are other 3 nutrients needed by your plants in small quantities:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Sulfur
There are 7 different micronutrients that are needed by plants in tiny amounts and are predominantly present in good quality soil.
- Boron
- Copper
- Iron
- Molybdenum
- Zinc
- Chlorine
- Manganese
Types of Fertilizers:
- Organic Fertilizer:
Organic fertilizers are produced using normally happening mineral deposits and natural material.
All in all, the supplements in organic fertilizers are not water-solvent and are delivered to the plants gradually over a time of months or even years. These fertilizers stimulate the microorganisms present in the soil and enhance the quality of the soil. Soil microorganisms assume a significant part in changing the organic fertilizers into dissolvable supplements that can be consumed by your plants. As a rule, organic fertilizer and compost will give all the auxiliary and necessary nutrients that your plants need.
- Synthetic Fertilizer:
Synthetic Fertilizers are manufactured by chemically processing minerals, gasses and inorganic waste materials.
These types of fertilizers are water soluble and can be absorbed by the plants right away after its application. It acts as a quick booster for the plants but does nothing for the soil in terms of its texture and fertility. These easily soluble fertilizers that leach into streams, rivers etc and disrupt aquatic ecosystems.
Considering long term health preservation of your garden as well as your plants, sticking to organic fertilizer is preferred.
Foliar Feeding Technique:
Plants can retain supplements more proficiently through their leaf surfaces compared to their roots. Therefore, showering foliage with liquid supplements can deliver surprising yields. For best outcomes, splash plants during their basic development stages like blooming time etc.
Soil pH level:
pH level of the soil determines if the plants will be able to absorb the certain necessary nutrients from the soil. Very low pH level or very high level affects the growth of your plants and most of the plants prefer a pH range of 6 to 7. You can always measure the pH level of the soil by doing a laboratory test or by home kit test.
If the soil pH is low, try and raise it over a course of 1 to 2 years, as sudden change can lead to severe problems. You can use lime to increase the pH level of your soil and use sulfur to decrease it. Compost is always helpful in maintaining a healthy pH level.
Fertilizer choice:
You can always go for the universally handy, 5-5-5 fertilizer, that will give the necessary supplements to all the plants for sound development. Also do a soil test to uncover certain supplement deficiencies. You can always formulate a special fertilizer treatment according to the plant or vegetable varieties. What you pick will rely upon the soil and what you are growing.
Fertilizer packs marks three numbers in the pack labels, something like 5-5-5. These numbers tell you the ratio of each nutrient present in the pack. Firstly its nitrogen (N), then phosphorus (P) and lastly its potassium (K). This "N-P-K" ratio mirrors the accessible nutrients by weight present in that fertilizer. For instance, for a 100 kilo pack, that has a N-P-K ratio of 5:7:4, it comprises 5 kilo of nitrate, 7 kilo of phosphate, 4 kilo of potash and rest 84 kilo of filler.
Organic fertilizer has a lower N-P-K ratio compared to that of synthetic fertilizers. Reason being; the ratio mentioned in the label can express only the readily available nutrients. And organic fertilizers contain nutrients that can be taken up by the plants over a period of time.
Bottom Line:
Take care of the soil right from the start for a better and green future..
