All plants in home gardens or allotments need nutrients, which are taken from the soil.The ingredients accumulated in the soil are a great storehouse of micro- and macroelements, which are gradually diminishing.Even the best soil becomes poorer over time and requires supplementation of nutrients.
Spring digging and soil aeration is the perfect time to provide the soil with all the necessary substances for the proper development of plants that are now entering the phase of increased growth.Fertilization is needed primarily in barren soil and young, still poorly rooted plants.
We can choose between mineral and organic fertilizers (all kinds of composts). In the case of mineral fertilizers in spring, it is worth using multi-component fertilizers that contain nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).Plants need oxygen to grow, while phosphorus strengthens the roots and guarantees abundant yields, beautiful flowering and good fruit.Soil deprived of potassium disturbs the water balance of plants.
Most common mistakes
● Failure to adjust fertilizers to the type of soil and the requirements of individual plant groups.
● Too abundant fertilization may deform plants or disrupt their flowering or fruiting.
● Feeding young plants with fertilizers immediately after planting leads to burns of the young root system.
● Failure to follow the manufacturers' recommendations, which are always found on fertilizer packages.
The use of multi-component preparations allows you to effectively and quickly prevent various deficiencies.Even an inexperienced gardener can avoid mistakes if he uses only one universal fertilizer in the garden, the ingredients of which are so balanced that they correspond to most plant species.
Liquid fertilizers are commercially available and are used more frequently than loose formulations.Liquid fertilizers are diluted in water strictly according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Loose fertilizers can also be dissolved in water - the safest solution concentration is one that does not exceed 0.1%.
It is also worth using slow-acting fertilizers, i.e. those that release nutrients in a controlled way. They are in the form of balls surrounded by a special cover (natural resin), thanks to which the nutrients are gradually released into the soil over a period of several months.We use this type of fertilizer only once a year, right now - in spring.Their great advantage is the lower risk of harmful over-fertilization of plants.
Remember
● Basic soil top-up is best carried out in spring, in April-May, and the last one no later than in the last days of July.
● Fertilize the soil only when it is moist.When the garden is dry, before applying fertilizer it is necessary to thoroughly water the plants.After feeding, do not forget to provide the plants with even soil moisture.
● The choice of fertilizer depends largely on the fertility and the pH of the substrate, so it is advisable to perform soil analysis beforehand to determine its pH and the content of basic minerals, i.e. nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.
