Secrets to Successful Soil -Supplying Nitrogen
5welcome! Sue here with Get to the Farm. Today we are beginning our look at the essential nutrients required for optimum plant growth.
Plants, like any living organism, require nutrients to grow and thrive. There are three essential nutrients that plants need in large quantities: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These nutrients play a critical role in the growth and development of plants, and deficiencies can lead to stunted growth, poor yields, and even plant death. Today we will take a closer look at one of these nutrients.
Nitrogen is essential for the growth and development of plants, and it's important to ensure that your garden has an adequate supply of it. Today, we'll be sharing with you some valuable information on how to supply nitrogen to your garden, including the different types of nitrogen fertilizers, organic sources of nitrogen, and tips on how to apply them effectively. So if you're looking to boost the health and productivity of your garden, then stick around, because you won't want to miss this!
Nitrogen is often considered the most important nutrient for fertilizers. However, nitrogen is also the most difficult nutrient to measure in soils. Soil microbes are the gatekeepers that control the day-to-day supply of nitrogen in the soil. Extended periods of cold or dry weather, or waterlogging, can slow down the activity of soil microbes, which in turn reduces the amount of nitrogen released into the soil.
Since it is harder to calculate the amount of nitrogen that your soil needs, it is important to find ways to ensure an even supply of nitrogen. Abundant organic matter can help ensure a steady supply of nitrogen, regardless of whether you use organic or synthetic fertilizers. In fact, using organic matter can also reduce the amount of fertilizer you need. It is important to note that the recommended application rates on fertilizer labels are often higher than necessary, especially for soils which already contain high levels of organic matter.
When it comes to vegetable gardens, fast-acting sources of nitrogen wash away quickly. Therefore, it is best to apply them in dilute amounts throughout the growing season. Lawns also require a lot of nitrogen, so apply the recommended amount twice in one year. For flowers, shrubs, and trees, in average soil they will require half as much nitrogen, unless they are heavy feeders.
It is important to avoid overfeeding with nitrogen, as too much can cause poor quality in vegetable, fruit, and flower crops, except for leafy crops. Too much nitrogen can also delay maturity and increase susceptibility to drought, pests, and diseases. It can also reduce winter hardiness. Moreover, nitrogen is easily washed away and can pollute nearby groundwater, and before it washes away, it could cause a temporary phosphorus deficiency.
Apart from using synthetic fertilizers, there are other ways to supply nitrogen to your plants. One such way is to use green manure and animal manure. Green manure and legumes, along with manure or compost, can supply all the nitrogen needed for a garden. If a legume crop was recently turned under on your bed, it is advisable to reduce the recommendations by half and be prepared to revise the amounts based on your own observations. Green manures continue to release nitrogen over a long period, so they are a reliable source of nitrogen for your plants.
In addition to these sources, using 12 pounds of dry cow manure or 6 pounds of dry poultry manure per 100 square feet can supply the same amount of nitrogen. However, using fresh cow manure requires 50 pounds as it is less concentrated. Gardeners may prefer to use a combination of half the amount of manure and half the recommended amount of dried blood or another source. If using manure as the only nitrogen source, test periodically for calcium, magnesium, and soluble salts as it can create an imbalance if levels are already high. Using manure can reduce the amount of lime needed for acidic soils.
In traditional synthetic fertilizers for lawns, nitrogen is what makes them green. To avoid creating stripes of uneven coverage, measure out half the recommended amount and set the spreader for half the usual rate. Fertilize by walking back and forth in parallel lines, then spread the remaining fertilizer over the same area walking at right angles to your original path.
Natural organic nitrogen sources include like blood meal, dried blood, fishmeal, fish emulsion, tankage, cottonseed meal, and soybean meal.
If your soil is already fertile, you may only need half as much fertilizer to maintain good fertility. However, when a range is given, it is important to note that the higher application rate is often for the lower analysis or weaker formula. Some nitrogen sources may also supply phosphorus and/or potassium, so it is important to reduce your application of those other nutrients if you use such sources.