The soil is not particularly rich in nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, which are so important for the harmonious development of garden crops. In addition, prolonged rains contribute to the leaching of these substances from the soil. Therefore, you cannot do without replenishing the missing nutrients.
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Nitrogen based fertilizers
Nitrogen fertilizing is applied in the spring. They dissolve easily and quickly saturate the root system. Applying this type of fertilizer in the fall can reduce the plant's hardiness.
Ammonium nitrate
Most often it is in powder or granular form. Nitrogen is about 33% in it. It is necessary to add ammonium nitrate before spring sowing, while it interacts well with superphosphate or potassium salt.
You can fertilize the soil with a solution or evenly distributing granules over the area (30-40 g per sq. m).
Ammonium sulfate
Contains 21% nitrogen and 24% sulfur. Increases soil acidity when mixed with ash and slaked lime. It dissolves well in water, is easily absorbed by various plants and remains in the soil for a long time during normal watering.
Urea
Contains 45% nitrogen and is considered the most common fertilizer. Used for root feeding and spring care. Urea can be mixed with neutralized superphosphate.
Sodium and calcium nitrate
Both species contain approximately 16% nitrogen. They are used during spring tillage for alkalization.
Phosphorus fertilizers
Phosphorus has a beneficial effect on the formation of berries and fruits.
There are three types of phosphorus-based nutritional mixes:
- Soluble - applied in autumn and spring. Often combined with other mineral supplements. These include superphosphate. It can be simple or double. It is used both to enrich the soil and for root feeding.
- Slightly soluble - used in the fall. This is bone meal and phosphate rock. Phosphorite flour is suitable only for acidic soil, it is applied separately from lime, ash and calcium-containing fertilizers. For better assimilation, it is crushed as much as possible and mixed with acidic dressings or manure.
- Insoluble compounds are used for plowing only for very acidic soils. These include precipitate and slag.
Fertilizers with potassium content
Potassium helps to increase resistance to various weather conditions and diseases. Potassium plays the most important role in the development of vegetables (especially beets and potatoes), buckwheat and sunflowers. Cereals are much easier to tolerate potassium deficiency.
It is important to take into account when calculating the fertilizer dose that clay soils contain more potassium than peat soils.
Potassium dressings are of two types: chloride, which is introduced at the end of the summer season, and sulfate (applied in autumn, spring and summer, but in a small dosage).
At the stage of development of the root system and during the first shoots, it is impossible to fertilize plants with potassium.
Potassium sulphate
Top dressing without chlorine and with 50% potassium. Suitable for basic spring fertilization. It is considered a universal remedy.
Potassium chloride
The chlorine contained in the fertilizer acidifies the soil, therefore lime must be added to neutralize it before use. Potassium contains 65%.
Potassium and magnesium sulfate
It is also called kalimagnesia. It enriches the soil with magnesium and is used as the main top dressing in the spring.
Potassium salt
Due to its high chlorine content, it is not suitable for sensitive crops such as potatoes or tomatoes. It is introduced only in autumn to prepare the soil for frost.
Some types of fertilizers can be mixed with each other to save time, but this should be handled with care to avoid negative chemical reactions.
Do you know what fertilizers you should always have on hand?
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