Fertilizing your vegetables
Most vegetables require fertilizer for growth. Organic
materials, such as manures and compost, and inorganic
materials, such as chemicals, can be used to fertilize
plants. Using both types of materials usually provides
the best growth. Manures and compost can be used to
increase soil fertility. They are usually applied at
1 pound per 4 or 5 square feet. These materials should
be worked into the soil several weeks before planting
in order to allow it to decompose. Manure that contains
straw, sawdust, or similar materials should be applied
with a commercial nitrogen fertilizer. Generally, if
the soil has been properly amended with compost or
manures or other organic materials, the only nutrient
needed is nitrogen, if anything. Some commercial nitrogen
fertilizers available are urea, ammonium sulfate, calcium
nitrate, and ammonium nitrate. Apply these fertilizers
at rates of 0.5 to 1 pound of nitrogen per 100 feet
of row.
If manure and other organic material has not been
used, apply fertilizer that contains both nitrogen
and phosphorus before planting. All commercial fertilizers
are labeled by the percentages of N-P-K; nitrogen (N),
phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Some common mixed
fertilizers are 5-10-5, 5-10-10, 8-16-16, and 12-12-12.
Apply these fertilizers at rates of 1 - 2 pounds per
100 feet of row. After plants are 3 to 4 inches tall,
sidedress nitrogen in narrow bands or furrows and water
thoroughly after application, or apply through the drip system. Consider
light but frequent applications of nitrogen fertilizer
every 3 to 4 weeks. Avoid letting the fertilizer come
into contact with the plant stems to avoid burning. |
Application tips
Inorganic fertilizers can be sidedressed. Manures
are more difficult to use as a side dressing and
must be tilled into the soil.
Banding: Make a small groove an inch or two
deep on both shoulders of the bed, 4 to 6 inches from
the plant row and band in the fertilizer. Replace the
soil and irrigate.
Broadcasting: Fertilizers can be scattered
along the bed shoulders. Work into the soil soon
after. This is less efficient than the banding
method but will be more practical when the plants
are so large that the bed shoulders are inaccessible
for banding.
Where sprinklers are used, fertilizer may be
scattered on the soil surface between rows before
irrigating. Where drip or trickle tubes are used,
apply fertilizer on the soil surface near the drip
tube. |
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