When to fertilize the garden

For most people, it is not a mystery that the plants have to be fertilized. What’s more, those who already have a garden or certain plants, surely have fertilizer products to care for them. However, there are still certain questions that many people ask themselves: When to fertilize the garden? How often?

In this article, we will solve these doubts and more. So if you are thinking of growing your own garden, I recommend that you read on to find out more about compost times.

What is compost?

Composting the garden is essential so that the vegetables do not lack nutrients

Before explaining when to compost the garden, let’s make it clear what compost is. It is an organic or inorganic substance that serves to increase the quality of the soil, increasing the level of nutrients for crops. It is important to know that the substrate that we add to the pots and pots nor the natural lands have infinite nutrients. For this reason we must fertilize the earth when its minerals and vitamins are depleted.

The floral kingdom needs certain primary macronutrients to sustain itself. These are nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. Besides, plants require several more chemical elements. According to each plant species, their nutritional needs vary, as does the level of consumption. The only thing they all have in common is that they cannot continue to feed once there are no natural nutrients left in the substrate or in the soil. It is at that moment when it is essential to pay.

When should it be paid?

The garden is usually fertilized in spring and summer

During the development phase and before the germination of the flora bud begins, it is important to fertilize the plants. Generally, this flowering period takes place during spring and summer. However, the times may vary according to the plant species.

When the plants are in their growth phase, it is advisable to fertilize the soil every seven to ten days. It is also more convenient to fertilize with less quantity but in shorter periods of time than to use a large quantity of fertilizer in longer periods of time.

When should it not be paid?

Just as it is important to know when to fertilize the garden, it is also important to know when it should not be done. When we fertilize the soil when it does not touch, we can cause fatal consequences for plants.

As a general rule, when the vegetables are recently transplanted they should not be fertilized until a few weeks have passed. This is because the new substrate should already contain the necessary nutrients for plant development. The same goes for freshly bought vegetables. In this case, it is recommended to wait about a month and a half before fertilizing the soil for the first time.

Nor should we fertilize the land when it is dry, if we do not water it generously. On the contrary, the compost could burn the dry roots of the vegetable.

Generally, it is also not advisable to use fertilizers in winter, since it is not usual that it is the flowering time of the plants. Obviously, when it comes to species that do develop during this time, we must fertilize the land.

As for diseased plants, it is not advisable to fertilize them. We must first wait for the species to recover. It is important to remember that compost is a replacement of food, it is not a cure for vegetables affected by any disease, fungi or insects.

Aspects to consider

The state of the plant can tell us if it needs new fertilizers and nutrients, we just have to be vigilant. Here are some signs that vegetables are undernourished:

  • Yellow sheets
  • Leaf fall with some frequency
  • Lack of growth or abnormal growth of the plant
  • Flowers smaller than normal

When these cases occur, it is best to prepare a special fertilizer to enrich the substrate and thus feed the plants.

How to fertilize the garden soil?

Many people choose organic fertilizers to fertilize the garden

Now that we know when to pay and when not to, we are going to discuss the procedure. First we must remove the entire top layer of the substrate. To be able to do it more easily and reach the bottom, it is advisable to partially empty the pots. In this way, the entire substrate is loose and decompressed at the end. Then you have to add the compost in the upper third belonging to the pot and stir it a little so that it mixes with the substrate.

However, it is important to remember that each plant species has its own nutrient needs. The vegetables that consume the most nutrients are the following: Eggplants, pumpkins, zucchini, melons, peppers, watermelons and tomatoes. On the other hand, those that produce a single fruit tend to consume less normally. These include onions, spinach, lettuce, radishes, and carrots. For this reason we can find some specific fertilizers for certain vegetables or fruits, such as for tomatoes or strawberries.

Why is the field fertilized with manure?

Many people wonder why the soil is fertilized with manure, that is, with a mixture of decomposed organic matter based on animal excrement. It is a very good organic fertilizer thanks to its high content of organic matter and nitrogen. It has been used since ancient times, thus taking advantage of livestock waste and restoring nutrient levels in agricultural soils. The use of manure is increasingly on the rise, as many prefer to do without chemicals and opt for organic planting. Below we will see a list of some of the advantages that this fertilizer offers us

  • Nutrients supplied to animals are recycled.
  • It is an ecological fertilizer.
  • Water quality is protected (manure nutrients are more difficult to leach into water sources and groundwater).
  • Eliminates viruses, fungi, bacteria and weed seeds.
  • Produces biogas.

I hope this article has helped you understand the importance of soil fertilizers and know when to fertilize the garden and how to do it correctly.

When to fertilize the garden

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