Understanding Soil Nutrients

Article by: Michael Russell

"Complete fertilizers" contain all three macronutrients - nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K) - but don't let the name "complete" fool you. It doesn't mean that the fertilizer has all the nutrients that plants , Basics of Landscaping need, just that it contains all three of the major ones.

Bags of complete fertilizers contain three numbers, such as 5-3-3, for example. Each number represents a percentage of N-P-K in that bag, as measured by weight. In this case, a bag of 5-3-3 fertilizer contains 5 percent nitrogen, 3 percent phosphorous, and 3 percent potassium. To determine the amount in pounds of each nutrient in the bag, multiply the weight of the bag (say 50 pounds) by the percentage of each nutrient: 50 pounds x .05 = 2.5 pounds of nitrogen. You need to know the actual amount of nutrients in the bag because a soil , Landscaping 101 test often recommends pounds of actual N-P-K to add per square foot of your garden. , 'Brite Eyes' Climbing Rose

Each of these three nutrients plays a critical role in plant , Soil, Drainage, and Water growth and development. Here's what they do and their deficiency symptoms to watch for.

Nitrogen (N): This critical element is responsible for the healthy , Mosquito Farms? Is That What Water Gardens Are? green foliage of the plants, , Make The Most From Your Vegetable Garden as well as protein and chlorophyll development. Chlorophyll is the pigment that makes plants , Spring Flower Gardening green and is a vital component in photosynthesis. Nitrogen moves easily in the soil , Tulip Trees - The King of the Magnolias and leaches out rapidly, especially from sandy soils , Tulip Trees - The King of the Magnolias and in high rainfall areas or irrigated gardens. , Making the Most of the Front of Your Home Using Wind Chimes Plants , Hibiscus Tea use lots of nitrogen during the growing season, , Riding Lawn Mowers Parts so it's commonly the most deficient element. If you add too much nitrogen, however, plants , ing Tomatoes in Your Garden will have dark green, , Colour in the Garden leafy growth but less root , Make The Most From Your Vegetable Garden development and delayed flowering , Discount Patio Furniture – An Easy Way to Get the Best and fruiting. Symptoms of nitrogen deficiency include slow growth and yellowing leaves, especially on older foliage. Animal manures, soybean meal, and cottonseed meal provide high levels of nitrogen.

Phosphorous (P): Plants , Orchid Care What The Flower Tells need phosphorous for strong root , Landscaping Tips: Boost Energy Efficiency with Shading Trees growth; fruit, , Furniture Benches Are Perfect For Every Outdoor Space stem and seed , The Value of Mulch development; disease , Landscaping Tips: Boost Energy Efficiency with Shading Trees resistance; and general plant , Attract Butterflies To Your Garden! vigor. Phosphorous doesn't move in the soil , Want A View? Start Growing Orchids On Trees as easily as nitrogen does so you don't have to add it as frequently. Depending on where you live in the country, your soil , Teak Furniture - The Proper Way to Care For & Clean It may have plenty of phosphorous, but it may be unavailable to plants. , Teak Furniture - The Proper Way to Care For & Clean It Phosphorous availability depends on warm soil , Colour in the Garden temperatures, pH range, and the levels of other nutrients, such as calcium and potassium, in the soil. , Flag Day: Will You Be Ready? Deficiency symptoms include stunted plants , Basic Lawn Care - Mowing, Scarifiers, Aeration, and Watering Tips with dark green , Hibiscus Tea foliage, reddish-purple stems or leaves, and fruits , Using Annuals in Your Perrenial Garden that drop early. Rock phosphate and bone meal are good sources of phosphorous.

Potassium (K): This nutrient, sometimes called potash, is essential for vigorous growth, disease , Hedge Trimmers Are Tools Not Toys resistance, fruit , Colour in the Garden and vegetable , Make A Good First Impression: Landscape Your Driveway flavor and development, and general plant , Landscaping Tips: Boost Energy Efficiency with Shading Trees function. Potassium breaks down slowly so you won't have to add it often. Deficiency symptoms include yellow areas along the leaf veins and leaf edges, crinkled and rolled-up leaves, and dead twigs. Fruit trees , Thyme: The Herb of Courage may develop fruit , Riding Lawn Mowers Parts with poor flavor or stunted fruits. , Fence Companies Certain animal manures and mineral fertilizers, such as greensand, add potassium to the soil. , Flower Bulb Catalogs

Michael Russell

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Understanding Soil Nutrients

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