What fertilizer to apply to the soil in spring
Miscellaneous / / April 22, 2022
If you try at the beginning of the season, then you will be able to harvest a rich harvest.
In winter, the earth loses mineral elements, and in spring, melting snow leaches the remains of useful substances from it. Therefore, before planting, it is necessary to replenish the missing soil resources.
When exactly to fertilize
Universal advice - start work when the snow has completely melted. Some gardeners apply fertilizer on top of it, thinking that in the process of thawing they will dissolve better in the soil. But this is a waste of time and money. Melt water will simply wash away all your labors, and the soil will not have time to assimilate useful elements.
What fertilizer to apply in the spring
At all stages of development plants They need three basic nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. In varying amounts, they are found in mineral and organic fertilizers. Which type to choose is up to you. The first option can be found in any store, and it is convenient to use. The second is suitable for supporters of sustainable gardening.
1. Mineral fertilizers
For the first spring enrichment of the soil, it is better to use products in the form of powder or granules. They, gradually dissolving in the soil, will provide future crops with long-term nutrition. Ready-made mixtures with a balanced content of chemical elements are sold in stores. There are even special complex tools for different seasons. The dosage is indicated on the package.
You can make a nutritious mineral mixture yourself. The ingredients for it can be found in garden and hardware stores. For 1 m² of soil you will need:
- 30–35 g of ammonium nitrate or carbamide (urea);
- 25 g of superphosphate or ammophos;
- 20 g of potassium sulfate or potassium magnesia ("Kalimag") - can be replaced with a glass of wood ash.
Mix all the ingredients in one container, remembering to wear gloves.
How to deposit
Fertilizer should be scattered over the bed, and on top put a layer of earth of 8–15 cm. The second option is to make grooves of the same depth at a distance of 12–17 cm from each other. Pour fertilizer into them and bury it.
In both cases, after top dressing, you need to water the bed abundantly.
2. organic fertilizers
The most famous organic fertilizer is manure. But there is an important rule for handling it. In the spring, you should not use fresh manure: it is too aggressive and can burn the roots of plants. But rotted - it is also called humus - will be most welcome.
Another good source of organic fertilizer is a compost pit. In autumn, all plant waste is loaded into it: weeds, leaves, wilted flowers, beveled grass. Sometimes special biological preparations are added to them to speed up composting. During the winter, natural fertilizer is formed in the pit. In addition to organic matter, earthworms appear in it, which also improve the condition of the soil.
How to deposit
Humus is scattered over the bed at the rate of 20–40 liters per 1 m². Then you need to dig the soil, immersing the shovel to a depth of about 15 cm.
The consumption rate of compost for the same area is 30–50 liters. You only need to dig it into the ground by 5 cm.
After applying any type of fertilizer, you need to loosen the soil well with a rake, chopper, cultivator or other convenient tool.
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