Fertilizer
For Yard and Gardens Use
luv2garden.com - Abigal Gordon's Gardens ®
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The numbers on any bag of fertilizer refers to the volume/percentage of primary nutrients found inside.
| The primary nutrients in fertilizer
are:
nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) potassium (K). N-P-K |
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| The first number is the percentage of nitrogen in the
fertilzer bag. So a bag of
5-15-5 has 5% total nitrogen, 15% Total phosphorous and 5% Total Potassium.
That's 25% - the remaining 75% are other nutrients and filler product.
This filler helps to distribute the nutrients evenly - The filler is also
essential, as adding only nitrogen, phosphorus and /or potassium
could chemically burn the plants. . Other nutrients include
calcium, magnesium, sulfur ,iron, and organic matter. Nitrogen
in fertilizer increases a plants ability to
produce chlorophyll, the end result being rapid growth and darker richer color.
That's just dandy if you want a luxurious dark green lawn that needs a lot of
mowing. But Be aware that if you are planting fruits and vegetables excessive
nitrogen will lead to rapid plant growth and dark richer foliage AT THE EXPENSE
of fruit/vegetable production. Plants that are deficient in nitrogen may
start turning light green or yellow. Phosphorous
in fertilizer
aids in root development and increases flowering ability as well as bloom size.
Some high phosphorus fertilizers are marketed as “Bloom
Booster.” High-phosphorous fertilizer should be used when plants are being
established in your garden. Potassium in fertilizer helps guard against many plant diseases,
it's a botanical immune system booster. It aids in drought and cold
tolerance. It also helps in the process of photosynthesis and in improving root development .
High potassium fertilizer
is a good end of season fertilizer during the summer it can be used to protect from temperature extremes or
when insects and or disease has damaged plants. You can also get fertilizers that contain single primary nutrients such as
Ammonium nitrate |
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Secondary Fertilizer Ingredients
Calcium {Ca}
When calcium fertilizer is used it lowers the pH of the soil
reducing the toxicity of the soil. If it is applied beyond the requirements it
will stimulate the ammonium absorption by plants by as much as 100%.
Calcium is represented as "Ca" on fertilizer labels. Crushed/
pulverized eggshells are an excellent source of Calcium for gardens. {
Calcium nitrate
Magnesium {Mg}
Magnesium is the central element of the chlorophyll molecule and is essential for photosynthesis, as well as Sugar synthesis and the plants Nutrient uptake. Plants such as blueberry, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, corn, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, onion, pepper, potatoes, pumpkin and squash, spinach, tomato, and watermelon respond very well to increased Magnesium .
Sulfur {S}
Some vegetables have high sulfur requirements that is not
routinely met by garden soils or standard fertilizers. Asparagus, Cabbage,
cauliflower, kale, onions, radishes, turnips and many flowering plants need a
lot of sulfur to thrive. If they are not getting enough sulfur from the soil,
they will develop signs of sulfur deficiency. Sulfur fertilizers include sulfate
of potash, ammonium sulfate
Gypsum (0-0-24) has been widely used for many years as a sulfur- and
calcium-bearing material for fertilization and soil reclamation. It is a neutral
salt and has no effect on soil acidity in our soils. You can also address sulfur
deficiency with using Epsom salt. Epsom salt is actually magnesium sulfate, The
effect it has on plant growth is largely dependent on what kind of soil the
plant is growing in.
Other ingredients include copper, iron, boron, zinc, chlorine, cobalt,
manganese, molybdenum, zinc.
Informative External Links
Making Your Own Fertilizer - Backwoods Home Magazine
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How to Grow Pumpkins
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