If you love to take care of your plants and want to make your garden even more beautiful, but find that organic fertilizers are impractical, knowing how to use commercial fertilizers (i.e. synthetic or chemical ones) in the right way could be a great solution. Below are some tips on how to use these powerful fertilizers safely and effectively.
Steps
Step 1. First you need to understand what chemical fertilizers are made of
When buying a granulated fertilizer, you should find on the back of the bag the list of ingredients that make up the product, including the percentage of the three chemical compounds essential for plant growth. These three chemical elements are represented by the acronym NPK placed on the back of the bag. Let's see what elements it is:
- Nitrogen. This element is essential for leaf growth and is used in larger quantities to treat large plants with very thick foliage. Some plants extract nitrogen directly from the soil, such as legumes, i.e. pea and bean plants. They have nodules on the roots that absorb nitrogen directly from the earth and therefore need fertilizers with small quantities of this element. In contrast, wheat and other crop grains have rather narrow leaves and require larger quantities of nitrogen in order to thrive. This substance is represented by the symbol No. in any brand of fertilizers.
- Phosphate. This is also a fundamental element for plant health. In fertilizers, phosphate extracted from mines or industrial waste is usually used and is a chemical element useful for the cellular processes of plants. Phosphate is most easily found in clay-rich soils and usually percolates from clay or sandy soil. This element is represented by the letter P. in any brand of fertilizers.
- Potassium. This is the third and final element of the acronym. It is used by plants on a cellular level and is needed to promote flowering and fruit production. Potassium is represented by the letter K. in any brand of fertilizers.
Step 2. Know the nutritional needs of the plants you are trying to grow
The lawn and its surroundings may need a fertilizer blend with a higher percentage of nitrogen and lower amounts of potassium and phosphate, while some garden plants may benefit more from a specific blend in which these three elements are present in different percentages. If you are not sure what your plants need, ask a garden expert, contact some specific body or consult the regulations in your region.
Step 3. Have your garden soil tested to determine which compounds to use to grow your plants well
Gardening centers, suppliers for farms and livestock farms, scholars of specialized laboratories can take some soil samples and have them analyzed for free or at very low cost. This type of analysis is particularly useful if you want to grow specific cereals and accurately calculate the needs of the soil for optimal fertilization. Without a soil analysis it is easier to get the fertilizer doses wrong.
Step 4. Calculate the amount of fertilizer you need
The necessary quantitives can be calculated by first measuring the area you intend to cultivate; then multiply the amount of fertilizer recommended by the area obtained (in square meters or hectares). You can also decide not to use this method and apply the fertilizer according to your personal judgment.
Step 5. Buy the product you think is right for your plants and the type of soil you want to treat
Fertilizers are sold in bags of different sizes; Remember that larger bags usually allow you to save money, so try to buy the quantity that best suits your needs. A well balanced fertilizer like type 8-8-8 (but also 10-10-10 or 13-13-13) could be the best choice for the care of your garden. Also consider the following factors before purchasing:
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Secondary nutrients. They are needed in smaller proportions than the three basic chemicals mentioned above. These substances serve to maintain the quality of the soil and promote plant health. Among the secondary nutrients we find:
- Football
- Sulfur
- Magnesium.
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Microelements. These elements are essential for good plant health and you can decide whether or not to include them in your preferences. Pay particular attention to the following:
- Iron in soluble form. Promotes flowering and helps keep foliage green.
- Copper in soluble form. This element also helps keep the foliage green and increases the resistance of plants to certain diseases.
- Zinc
- Manganese.
- Decide if you prefer to combine other products with your fertilizer before you finish your purchase. Some fertilizers available on the market have in fact special formulations that contain herbicides or insecticides and can save you a lot of time and effort. However, be careful to limit the use of these substances to areas where these additives do not cause damage. In particular, beware of pesticides that contaminate plants and herbicides that can harm what you are growing. However, remember that using insecticides and herbicides on specific problems will allow you to decrease your workload and solve the problem in a targeted and effective way.
Step 6. Apply fertilizer
There are many methods to apply the fertilizer, such as hand application, spreading, diluting the product and subsequent spreading with mechanical equipment to fertilize the soil to be cultivated. The methods may vary depending on the amount of fertilizer to be used, the area of the soil and the size of the plants to be treated.
- Apply the fertilizer to a small area by tilling the soil well before growing it. Spread about half a kilo or a kilo of fertilizer every 10 square meters maximum, to avoid over-fertilization of the area.
- Spreading the fertilizer with special machinery is useful for fertilizing larger areas and usually it is necessary to use from 90 to 180 kg of product for about half a hectare of land, using an adjustable fertilizer spreader pulled by hand or pulled by a tractor. After application, the soil must be well tilled in order to let the fertilizer penetrate and prevent it from being washed away by the first rain.
- To avoid poisoning the plants, and especially the younger shoots, dilute the fertilizer with water in a bucket or watering can and use the solution to water the plants. This way the fertilizer will be absorbed more easily. After this step, water the plants again, but only with water: by doing this you will be able to remove fertilizer residues that have fallen on the leaves or stems and avoid damage or corrosion.
- The direct application of the fertilizer on single plants arranged in series can be practiced by pouring the product into a clean and dry bucket, then spreading it directly on the side of the plants. Try not to drop the fertilizer on the plants, as the chemicals in it could burn the leaves. To treat small plants, a limited amount of product (about one tablespoon for each plant) is sufficient.
- Direct application on crops can be done with a tractor equipped with special accessories for spreading fertilizer. Usually a hopper with one wheel and a dispensing and unloading mechanism is used to spread fertilizer evenly over the field.
Step 7. Apply fertilizer while you air or cultivate the soil, so that the roots of the plants are able to absorb it quickly and to prevent the rain from washing away the product
This can be done using a cultivator or subsoiler or simply using a hoe to move the earth and get the fertilizer in well.
Step 8. Watch your plants as they grow and see if they need more or less fertilization
Overproduction of foliage without fruit production could be a sign of over-fertilization, while underdeveloped and weak plants are likely to need more fertilizer. Other factors such as disease, lack of water or sunlight, and insect damage could be confused with a lack of fertilization; careful observation and a certain familiarity with the plant world are essential elements for growing your plants successfully.
Repeat the application of fertilizer as needed to keep your plants healthy. Applying small quantities of product at frequent intervals of time may be better than applying a large dose of product only once, as part of the fertilizer is dispersed due to percolation or can be washed off by rain
Step 9. Clean your equipment thoroughly after applying fertilizer
The chemicals it contains are corrosive and could damage the metal parts of your tools if the residues are not removed immediately.
Store your tools in a dry place when not in use and make sure they are well cleaned and lubricated
Step 10. Store unused fertilizer in its bag and possibly in a dry and safe place
Open bags can be closed with adhesive tape or laces to prevent moisture from solidifying the product or making it liquid or lumpy.
Advice
- Buy only the amount of fertilizer you need, as many fertilizers can spoil and lose their effectiveness over time, especially if they come into contact with moisture.
- Use fertilizer wisely. Excessive use of fertilizers causes environmental pollution and will also be a waste of money.
- Avoid spreading the fertilizer before an impending storm, as rain causes the product to percolate or disperse.
Warnings
- Nitrogen-based fertilizers, such as ammonium nitrate, are dangerous and can even be explosive under particular conditions.
- Avoid breathing in the dust when applying the fertilizer and, at the end of the operation, wash your skin and the clothes you are wearing well.
