Nitrogen is one of the important elements of the soil that helps to grow healthy flowers, herbs, and vegetables. It plays a vital role in the growth of the plant. If the soil lacks in nitrogen then plants would not be able to develop the protein and amino acids that they need to survive. Nitrogen helps to create a new cell and even plant’s DNA depends on this element.
We have abundance of nitrogen in atmosphere i.e. around 78.09%. Converting nitrogen into the soil for best results in plant growth is not an easy task. Actually there are two ways to do this and they are nitrogen fixing and composting. Both of these methods are natural ways to add this element without using harsh chemicals.
How you can test Nitrogen Level in the soil :-
You can test nitrogen levels only by soil-testing kit.
How to know if Your Soil Needs Nitrogen or not
If your soil is deficient in nitrogen then your plant will grow stunted and smaller than normal.
As soil will be deficient in nitrogen then they can’t make their own cells without nitrogen and plants won’t grow to their full potential without it.
The first sign of a nitrogen deficiency in most plants is that the leaves will turn yellow.
Your plant will have less flowering or fruits, and it may appear thin or pale.
Best ways to add nitrogen to the soil
Nitrogen fixing
Nitrogen fixation is essential to allow photosynthesis to happen. There are bacteria that use the nitrogen in the air to convert it into a solid that plants can use.
You can plant crops like beans, peas or other legumes to increase the number of these bacteria in your soil.
How to create Home-made Fertilizer
This involves creating fertilizers at home from different waste from the kitchen.
This fertilizer will only feed the plant which is growing, whereas compost will adds nutrients directly to the soil.
Avoid buying a large bag of compost from the market and add your own compost to the soil.
Banana Peels
Add banana peels to the bottom of your compost pile.
First you dig hole, then place the peels in and allow them to degrade for a few days before you plant your flowers.
Coffee Grounds
Planting Coffee plant adds nitrogen to soil.
Fish Tank Water
As we all know that fish manure are high in nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus and are a great natural fertilizer.
When you are cleaning your fish tank you can save old water and splash it on the field.
Eggshells
Store old eggshells and then keep it in the sun to dry.
Then crush it and add it to the soil.
The nitrogen produced in this method is low, but adds a satisfactory amount of calcium to soil.
Fireplace Ash
This is the most common method used in villages.
After burning woods, you have to clean the fireplace, so use the wood ash to add nitrogen to your soil.
Grass Clippings
You can grow grass to your field and trust me the nitrogen produced by grass is high.
Manure
Rabbits create a nitrogen-rich manure
The best animals for this process are rabbits, sheep, cows, horses, ducks.
Human urine
It may sound awkward, but it works extremely well as a plant fertilizer.
Please note that urine must be diluted else it will burn the plants.
Food waste
The best food waste is tea leaves, stale bread, corn cobs, fruit rinds, veggie scraps, and nutshells. The result is less trash for you to throw out, and a healthier garden overall.
So, these are some methods to add nitrogen to your soil.
