- Compost is an organically made, nutrient-rich plant food that provides all of a plant's basic needs. It also acts as a natural soil enhancer --- loosening clay soils, increasing moisture retention in sandy soils, and balancing soil pH. In addition to the three basic plant nutrients, compost contains secondary nutrients, trace minerals, and micronutrients required for healthy plant growth.
Create your own compost over time or purchase it ready-made. Turn compost directly into the soil two weeks before planting for a garden bed that is rich in nutrients, or use as a top dressing throughout the growing season. - Dozens of inorganic plant foods are on the market. Any complete fertilizer contains ample quantities of the three basic nutrients, as well as secondary nutrients and micronutrients. Read the package label to be sure that your plant food contains all of the desired nutrients that your plants need. The three numbers on the label indicate how much of each of the three basic plant nutrients the product contains. The first represents nitrogen, for plant productivity and lush foliage; the second, phosphorous, for strong root systems and large blooms; and the third, potassium, which aids in photosynthesis, promotes disease resistance and builds protein.
Secondary nutrients should also be listed. Calcium strengthens plants and is essential to plant cell structure. Magnesium activates growth enzymes and aids photosynthesis. Sulfur improves seed production and root growth, produces protein and helps with cold resistance.
Good plant foods may also list micronutrients and trace minerals. They include zinc, copper, boron, chloride, iron, manganese and molybdenum. These are only needed in very small quantities, so they are desired, but not required. - Apply liquid fertilizers regularly to replace nutrients that plants have consumed. Liquid plant foods also make wonderful baby food for newly planted seedlings.
Compost can be converted into a liquid fertilizer: compost tea. Other organic liquid fertilizers include fish emulsion and kelp meal tea. These high-nitrogen liquid plant foods can be diluted for use as foliar sprays.
Foliar sprays are liquid plant foods sprayed directly onto the foliage. They are especially effective on plants with nutritional deficiencies, as nutrients are absorbed and used without delay. - Soil amendments are used to correct soil imbalances. Soil can be re-energized with materials that contain the individual nutrients that the soil is lacking. Nitrogen sources include bat guano, fish meal, blood meal and soybean meal. Phosphorous is found in bone meal, colloidal phosphorous and rock phosphate. Potassium is renewed with ground kelp, granite dust or greensand. Secondary nutrient and micronutrient amendments are also available, if needed.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -