Without performing a soil test, it can be challenging to ascertain exactly how much fertilizer your vegetables require. Most fertilizers come with three numbers such as 10-10-10 or 5-5-5 that indicate their percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content.
Vegetable plants quickly use up nutrients from their soil, so fertilizers should be applied regularly – but be wary, as excessive applications could harm or even cause disease issues in your plant(s).
Soil Test
Before applying any fertilizers to a vegetable garden, a soil test should be completed first. This test will assess if your soil contains adequate levels of plant-available nutrients as well as its pH level – an optimal range is between 6.0 to 7.0; lime may help raise its level; for alkaline conditions sulfur or other acidifying fertilizers (such as ammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrate) can help lower it.
Once interpreted, soil test results provide recommendations regarding what type and rate of fertilizer to apply based on “pounds per 1000 square feet”, as provided on standard test reports. It should be remembered that these recommendations may change from year to year depending on changes to nutrient levels in your soil due to weather changes or other external influences.
Vegetables require high quantities of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Nitrogen tends to be readily available in soil at higher levels while phosphorus and potassium generally only require low quantities; too much of any one nutrient could lead to deficiencies of another element.
10-10-10 fertilizer is a general-purpose, balanced fertilizer containing equal percentages of three plant macronutrients in equal percentages (10-10-10). This fertilizer should be applied evenly across vegetables, flowering shrubs, trees and lawns but should be used carefully with plants requiring one of its macronutrients in higher amounts such as flowering shrubs or flowers requiring more specific targeted nutrients such as flowering shrubs. Overfertilizing them with 10-10-10 could result in excessive foliage but fewer flowers or fruit producing flowers or fruit so a targeted fertilizer may be more specific or targeted fertilizer needed instead.
Preparation
Fertilizers work best when applied to soil that has been thoroughly prepared. Prior to adding new fertilizers, work up existing soil by working in organic matter or composted manure into it so as to make the nutrients more absorbable by the ground.
The amount of fertilizer required depends on your hardiness zone and type of vegetables being grown, as well as what ratio you use when selecting your fertilizer. A general recommendation would be using 10-10-10 or 5-10-5 ratio fertilizers which contain all essential plant nutrients needed by vegetable plants; however, before applying any fertilizers it’s always a good idea to conduct a soil test, either at home with a kit or taking them in to your local Cooperative Extension office for more accurate results.
Vegetable plants require high amounts of nitrogen during their growth phase for proper development. Leafy greens benefit most from high nitrogen fertilizers while fruiting vegetables may require less nitrogen and more phosphorous and potassium to ensure fruit formation.
If you choose to use 10-10-10 fertilizer in your garden, it is recommended that it is applied when the ground has warmed up so as to protect young and fragile plants from excess nitrogen, and encourage root development. This helps foster strong root systems for healthy plant life growth.
Once your garden has been established, fertilizer can either be applied evenly across all planting areas or band-applied in bands or rows. Band applications work particularly well when applied along rows of vegetables to ensure all plants receive sufficient fertilization. Be mindful not to damage plant roots while working in fertilizer band applications.
Before planting vegetables it is also recommended that a light coating of kelp meal is added as an additional source of micronutrients for optimal success. In addition, conducting a soil test will allow you to determine when and how frequently fertilizers should be applied – those needing nitrogen during their first growing season should receive at least twice weekly fertilization, while those requiring less should receive an occasional side dressing of side dressing fertilizer.
Application
Fertilizers provide plants with essential nutrients they require for growth. Available in various formulations and ratios to meet specific plant needs, a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium – key macronutrients most plants need – along with micronutrients like iron to give crops extra color boost.
When selecting fertilizers for your garden area, consult the soil test report to understand which nutrients and amounts you require to add to it. Once this information is available, calculate how much fertilizer to use by dividing each total pound needed by its percent in each product (for instance if one-half pound of nitrogen were desired, 3.33 pounds of bloodmeal (15-1-1) would need to be applied).
General-purpose fertilizers like 10-10-10 are often sufficient to feed most vegetable plants and perennials/shrubs; however, certain plant species require special nutrition in order to produce high-quality fruits and vegetables – for instance tomato plants require lower nitrogen as flowering nears fruit set, more phosphorus and potassium than most crops, as well as additional micronutrients such as calcium/magnesium supplementation. A 10-10-10 fertilizer will not satisfy their specific requirements at this stage, though specialty mixes may.
When applying a fertilizer, always read and follow its label instructions closely. Granular fertilizers must typically be spread either manually or using a broadcast rake; liquid varieties can usually be applied with watering can or hose sprayer. Always wear protective gloves and eyewear when handling fertilizer and keep it out of reach of children and pets that could ingest it; do not sprinkle in windy conditions as sprinkling could blow back onto you and cause eye irritation; apply fertilizer before planting to ensure it penetrates all layers of soil – helping prevent nutrient deficiencies while encouraging plant growth throughout its growth season!
Follow-Up
Correct application of 10-10-10 fertilizer provides all of the nutrients required for healthy vegetable plants. Granular fertilizers should be applied just prior to planting in spring; otherwise work gently into soil around plants after watering in. Liquid fertilizers, which tend to have higher nitrogen contents than their granular counterparts, should generally not be applied when seedlings are being planted as their high nitrogen content could damage their roots and be harmful.
Vegetables are heavy feeders that require constant applications of fertilizer throughout their growing seasons. The amount required varies based on their type and stage of development – lighter feeders such as leafy greens typically need less fertilizer than heavy feeders like tomatoes and squash. Brassica and Nightshade families require regular side dressings with high nitrogen organic fertilizers like feather meal or alfalfa meal to reach maturity.
Nitrogen fertilizers should only be applied at levels recommended on their labels or according to soil test recommendations for best results. Overdoing it could result in lush plant growth that reduces or even stops fruiting altogether. It’s essential that only recommended amounts are applied.
Sometimes vegetable plants require additional fertilizer to stimulate their growth and encourage abundant, nutrient-dense fruits to form. This is particularly relevant when growing tomatoes, squash and cucumbers which are vulnerable to blossom end rot; on sandy soils micronutrients like Boron may be deficient – in which case mixing one tablespoon of borax dissolved into one gallon of water will provide it directly to plants.
In general, the ideal time and method to apply granular fertilizers or any type of dry fertilizer is prior to an expected rain shower, as this helps spread it throughout the topsoil where it will have maximum benefit for vegetable plants. Liquid fertilizers should be applied early morning or evening in order to avoid burning leaves and stems; both kinds should also be worked or watered into the top 3 to 5 inches of the soil for best results.