Gardeners can provide supplemental nutrients to plants by applying fertilizers in the form of composted organic material, synthetic fertilizer, or a specific mineral such as iron.hen selecting a fertilizer, look at the three numbers on the bag. They will read something like 15-0-15 or 16-2-8. The first number represents the percentage of nitrogen in the bag, the second refers to phosphorus, and the third number is the amount of potassium.
If you use a chemical fertilizer, choose a well-balanced, slow-release fertilizer. This will provide nutrients to your crops throughout the growing season. Apply chemical fertilizers in the fall or spring, and apply manure to the garden only in the fall. A vegetable garden can supply an abundance of healthy food, but to get the most yield from your plants, you must fertilize it. It is an easy task, and your efforts will be rewarded with a bountiful harvest. Here's how to fertilize. 1  The Best Vegetables for a Small Garden. By Charlie Nardozzi and The Editors of the National Gardening Association from Vegetable Gardening For Dummies, 2nd Edition. As garden vegetables grow, they undergo an intensive process that strips nutrients from the soil. Adding fertilizer keeps soil in optimum shape to feed your garden. Choosing the right type of fertilizer and adding the right amount depends on the soil and the plants you're growing. Soil tests are a great way to know what to add. Deciphering the numbers. Commercial fertilizers are labeled with three numbers that indicate the fertilizer's nutrient ratio — for example, 12-12-12, 5-10-5, and 4-12-0: The first number indicates the percentage of nitrogen (N). The second number shows the percentage of phosphate (the type of phosphorus, P2O5). Vegetable Gardening: Selecting a Fertilizer. All plants need nutrients for growth. Gardeners can provide supplemental nutrients to plants by applying fertilizers in the form of composted organic material, synthetic fertilizer, or a specific mineral such as iron. When selecting a fertilizer, look at the three numbers on the bag. They will read something like 15-0-15 or 16-2-8. The first number represents the percentage of nitrogen in the bag, the second refers to phosphorus, and the third number is the amount of potassium. Therefore, you may want to supplement any organic fertilizer you apply with some inorganic fertilizer for quick feeding. Many gardeners use a combination of fertilizers and techniques in the garden. Gardeners who wish to avoid chemical fertilizers can also use fish emulsions or manure teas. When selecting a fertilizer, look at the three numbers on the bag. They will read something like 15-0-15 or 16-2-8. The first number represents the percentage of nitrogen in the bag, the second refers to phosphorus, and the third number is the amount of potassium. Organic Vegetable Fertilizer. The primary reason to choose an organic vegetable fertilizer is to condition your soil for the long haul. When it is mixed in your soil it adds lots of organic material causing the soil to remain loose, oxygen rich, and hold more moisture, trace elements, and nutrients. And for that... you need a balanced soil and vegetable fertilizer. This is where we put on the brakes before rushing out to buy your vegetable of choice, digging a hole, plant, and wait in anticipation for your veggies to do a Jack-in-the-bean-stalk thing.. Choose the appropriate fertilizer for your plants' nutrient needs. Packaged fertilizers always display their NPK content on the package. Some types of fertilizers are richer in 1 nutrient than another, and you should match this nutrient content to your plants' needs. If you want to know what fertilizer to use on your garden plants and when to use it, you'll need to assess your plants' needs and then understand which qualities to look for in a fertilizer. Types, Application Tips and Nutrients. • Organic fertilizers contain lower nutrient levels than other types of fertilizers and are the least likely to. cause fertilizer burn on plants. • Granular, synthetic fertilizers work well for vegetables and perennials. • Use water-soluble fertilizers with annuals and container plants. Because pH levels affect the ability of soil to release fertilizer nutrients, you will first need to test the pH of your soil. Luckily, testing your soil is relatively easy. At-home test kits are available and most local Cooperative Extension Services provide tests for a small fee. Organic matter improves the soil and helps release nitrogen, minerals, and other nutrients plants require. Fertilizer for Vegetable Garden Organic Vegetable Garden Fertilizers When you fertilize a vegetable garden, organic fertilizers are always the preferred method, especially when you plan on eating from it. One of the easiest and most widely used forms of organic fertilizers for the vegetable garden is compost, which promotes greater soil and plant health. Learning how to choose fertilizer for your garden plants can be a daunting process. Fertilizers differ in important ways, including what they are composed of, their mineral content, and whether they are organically produced or not. If you want to know what fertilizer to use on your garden plants and when to use it, you'll need to assess your plants' needs and then understand which qualities to look for in a fertilizer.
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how to choose fertilizer for a vegetable garden