Fertilizers are usually used to fertilize the soil and provide plants with minerals. However, it is worth knowing that somefertilizers can significantly change the pH of the earthDepending on the requirements of our plants, we can useacidifying fertilizers(which lower the pH of the soil) as well asde-acidifying fertilizers(which increase the pH of the soil). Seewhat is the pH offertilizers used in horticulture and which ones are best for regulating soil pH!
What is the effect of fertilization on the pH of the soil?
When choosing fertilizers for the garden, we usually follow the composition of the fertilizer. We check whether the minerals contained in the fertilizer are appropriate for the cultivated plants. However, theinfluence of a given fertilizer on the pH of the soil is very often overlooked.Meanwhile, fertilizers can be physiologically acidic, neutral or alkaline. Depending on the type and dose of the fertilizer used, it may more or less affect the pH of the soil in the garden.
The best-known example of unconscious soil acidification is the use of nitrogen fertilizers. Nitrogen is a very important component for the growth and development of plants, howevermost nitrogen fertilizers also affect soil acidificationPopularly used nitrogen fertilizers that acidify the soil in the garden are, for example, ammonium sulphate (very strongly acidifies), ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate, urea, slurry and manure.
While ammonium sulphate is often used deliberately to acidify the soil (e.g.highbush blueberry), I am convinced that many gardeners have no idea thatusing urea or natural manure also acidifies the soilOn the other hand, to deacidify the soil, we use calcium fertilizers, such as such as dolomite. However, many people do not know that wood ash and natural bas alt flour also have an alkaline effect. Although the flour has a slightly alkaline effect on the soil (it will not replace liming), but sprinkling it under, for example, acidophilic blueberries or rhododendrons, will not be the best choice.
To enable you to find out which fertilizers are acidifying and which are alkalizing (they deacidify), we have prepareda list of fertilizers in terms of their impact on the pH of the garden soilIn addition to the verbal description (acidifying / neutral / alkalizing), we also added arrows showing the direction of the impact on the pH (acidifying fertilizers reduce pH of the soil, while alkalizing fertilizers raise the pH).
Remember to measure the pH of the soil you have in your garden before choosing the fertilizer and compare it with the requirements of the cultivated plants.Select the fertilizers in such a way that they help to adjust the pH of the soil to the plant requirements .
Most of the fertilizers shown in the table can be ordered in the shop of our guide. We guarantee efficient service, high quality products and attractive prices. Once you have decided what fertilizer you need, we invite you to do the shopping. To see the offer, just press the button below: -)
