Choosing fertilizers in spring seems complicated: stores offer dozens of options, but what really works? The secret is to understand what your soil lacks.
We will tell you how to choose fertilizers in spring and what signs plants give.
Selection of fertilizers
For example, if plants grow slowly and the leaves are pale, this is a sign of nitrogen deficiency. Urea or rotted manure will do.
But there is a nuance: fresh manure can only be applied in the fall, otherwise it will burn the roots.
In spring, use humus - it is safe and rich in humus.
Universal option
But there is a universal option - ash. It contains potassium, phosphorus and microelements that strengthen plants and improve the taste of fruits.
Sprinkle a glass of ash per square meter of the garden bed or prepare an infusion (100 g per 10 l of water) for watering.
Ash is especially useful for tomatoes, peppers and root crops. But do not mix it with nitrogen fertilizers - they neutralize each other.
For organic lovers
Organic lovers will love compost. It not only nourishes the soil, but also improves its structure.
Add it when digging or use it as mulch. To speed up the maturation of the compost, add yeast to the pile (100 g per 10 l of water) - it activates the microorganisms.
You can also throw banana peels into the compost - they are rich in potassium, which is necessary for flowering and fruiting.
Mineral supplements
Those who prefer mineral fertilizers should pay attention to complex mixtures marked "spring". They contain a balanced set of elements for initial growth.
But remember: too much mineral water kills soil microflora. Alternate it with organic matter to keep the soil alive.
Green manures
An interesting option is green fertilizers from weeds.
Fill the barrel with nettles, dandelions and mown grass, add water and leave for 2 weeks. Dilute the resulting liquid 1:10 and water the beds.
This is a free analogue of store-bought drugs, which also suppresses pathogens.
Remember: Fertilizers are not "the more, the better." Follow the dosage to avoid burning the roots.
For example, excess nitrogen will lead to growth of tops, but fruits will be small. And overfeeding with potassium will cause magnesium deficiency.
Learn to “read” plants: curled leaves, spots, falling ovaries - all these are signs of imbalance.
One last tip: always moisten the soil before applying fertilizer.
Dry soil + concentrate = root burn. Water the beds the day before fertilizing, and if you use granules, bury them in the soil to a depth of 5-7 cm.
