Growing vegetables at home is a rewarding hobby that produces delicious meals. Unfortunately, heavy feeders like broccoli, tomatoes and corn quickly deplete soil nutrients. Fertilizing is essential in replenishing these resources to allow plants to continue producing and flourishing.
Soil testing allows gardeners to determine the nutrient levels in their garden beds so that only what’s necessary can be applied – for instance excess nitrogen can lower yield while an abundance of phosphorus stops production of beneficial mycorrhizal fungi that aid iron uptake.
Spring
Your vegetable garden plants need nutrients in the springtime when emerging from dormancy to thrive and produce. Knowing their individual nutrient requirements will allow you to determine when it’s best to apply fertilizers. A thorough soil test and understanding their dietary requirements will allow you to determine when you need to make adjustments accordingly.
Soil tests are readily available from commercial gardening websites and university extension service offices, or you can purchase a home test kit at most hardware stores. These kits will measure the levels of nutrients present in your garden soil and recommend how much fertilizer should be added according to the results. Granular fertilizer should be applied either in late fall or early spring before planting begins, to give enough time for it to breakdown and become usable by your vegetable crops once dormancy ends.
Granular vegetable fertilizers can be easily applied by spreading over the soil surface and raking in, or you can use a spreader on larger gardens. They often contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as well as other vital ingredients needed by vegetables – their labels will indicate exactly how much to apply in different parts of your garden.
Liquid fertilizers can be applied directly to plant roots using a watering can or garden hose. However, it’s generally advisable to wait several weeks after transplanting before using liquid fertilizers as otherwise, too much nitrogen may enter through broken root hairs and burn the plant.
Avoid applying liquid fertilizers at the same time you water, as their salt content could build up around plant roots and prevent it from taking in moisture.
Before an expected rainfall occurs is the ideal time and place to apply dry granular fertilizers, as this will distribute them across 2-4 inches of soil in which your vegetable plants will absorb it. Otherwise, work it into the soil by hand or use of a lawn fertilizer spreader, before watering-in your area afterwards. For fertilizers containing high nitrogen levels such as ammonium sulfate or blood meal it may be wiser to combine with compost prior to applying in spring as this will lower risk of burnt roots when applying.
Summer
Vegetable plants are heavy feeders that will quickly deplete soil nutrients if not fertilized properly, leading to slow plant growth and an abundant harvest. Fertilization helps replenish those essential nutrients for continued plant development and yield. Fertilizing with fertilizers such as manure or compost in autumn helps replenish depleted nutrient stores over winter while simultaneously enriching surrounding crops with necessary nutrition. Popular vegetables like broccoli, kale and tomatoes typically need additional fertilizer that may not readily exist within their environment – this is why growers often amend their vegetable garden soil by amending with manure and compost in autumn, which breaks down into providing essential nutrients over winter time.
Addition of organic matter to vegetable garden soil will improve its texture and structure, making it easier for roots to penetrate the ground while helping retain moisture and controlling weeds. Furthermore, organic material is more eco-friendly than synthetic fertilizers which contain chemicals.
Apply granular fertilizer before planting vegetables for best results in spring. In summertime, an additional light application of fertilizer before watering helps promote strong root development and ensure a fruitful harvest.
Timing the application of liquid fertilizer during summer depends on your crop and weather conditions, but generally speaking it should be applied prior to any expected rainstorm as this allows it to more readily seep into the soil where its benefits can be more readily absorbed by plant roots.
Vegetables are heavy feeders and benefit from regular fertilization throughout the summer months. Once production peaks in midsummer, however, allowing your plant to rest without fertilization for at least 3 months should help to minimize risks of overfeeding as well as reduce energy wasted on expanding leaf coverage at the expense of producing fruit. In addition, decreasing fertilization frequency reduces pest and disease infestation – so perform a soil test and adhere to recommended schedules if you want successful vegetable gardening!
Fall
Vegetable plants are heavy feeders, demanding nutrients in order to reach maturity in their short lifespans. When this happens, soil nutrients may quickly deplete. Regular fertilization replenishes them so the plants continue growing and provide us with a bountiful harvest!
Before planting, combine granular fertilizer into the top layer of soil and thoroughly work it in. Next, water the area thoroughly so the fertilizer will absorb into the ground rather than being lost through runoff. Finally, periodically apply additional side dressings of fertilizer throughout the growing season in order to foster leaf growth and fruit production from vegetables, and ensure an abundant harvest.
The type of fertilizer you select will depend on what types of vegetables are being grown. Plants requiring lots of nitrogen, like leafy greens, should use high-nitrogen fertilizers like ammonium sulfate (20-0-0) or blood meal (15-1-0). Fruiting plants like tomatoes may benefit more from fertilizers rich in phosphorous and potassium (e.g. a 5-10-10 formula).
Be careful to follow the package directions when adding fertilizer, so as not to overfertilize or harm vegetables. Most packages list what each plant requires and when to apply it; liquid fertilizers can either be applied directly onto the ground or sprayed directly on leaves of plants; for added benefit watering can help move nutrients deeper into the soil and prevent burning of foliage.
For those who prefer an eco-friendly approach, mulching the garden with organic material such as leaves, grass clippings or wood chips can have a similar impact to fertilizing in terms of providing its nutrients to the soil over winter and making them available to vegetable plants when spring comes around again. Plus, this method prevents erosion while protecting them against harsh winter conditions!
Winter
Proper fertilization of your garden is key to reaping a bountiful harvest, yet too much fertilizer can actually damage or even kill plants. Seasonal fertilizing guidelines can help determine when and how much to apply; always read and follow the directions on the fertilizer package, while it’s wise to test soil first.
Vegetables should generally be fertilized three times each year: early spring, midseason and fall. A balanced or slow-release fertilizer tailored to each variety should be used; additionally a soil test can show you which nutrients are present and help avoid overfertilization.
Leafy greens such as lettuce and kale often thrive when fed fertilizers high in nitrogen, while fruiting plants like tomatoes benefit more from increased amounts of phosphorous and potassium in their fertilizer. It is beneficial to rotate crops frequently so the soil has time to replenish itself with essential nutrients.
Fertilizers come in both granular and liquid forms for application in gardens. Granular forms may be broadcasted using hand or mechanical spreader over an entire garden area or side-dressed along rows of vegetables; dry fertilizers should also be worked into the top 3 to 5 inches of soil to help them reach roots faster. When using granular fertilizers, applying just before or after rainstorm is recommended so that water helps distribute them more evenly across the ground.
Liquid fertilizers may be more easily absorbed by plant roots and may provide quick boosts of essential micronutrients that aren’t readily available in soil. Foliar feeding – spraying leaves of plants with dilute liquid fertilizer to enhance their health – is another means of fertilization that often supplements regular applications of liquid or granular forms of fertilizers.
If you are new to gardening, it may be beneficial to consult a lawn care expert about how and when best to apply fertilizers. Furthermore, professional help with soil tests to make sure your vegetable plants receive sufficient nutrition.