When is the best time to fertilize the soil? Autumn fertilizers for the garden and vegetable garden, what and how to fertilize the soil before planting

In spring, it’s time to prepare the land for planting, and one of the most important stages of work is fertilizing the soil. How to fertilize the soil in the spring if there is no manure is a question that gardeners often ask at this time.

Optimal timing for applying fertilizers to the soil in spring

Many summer residents begin to fertilize the soil in the fall, before the snow falls. Questions are often asked about what fertilizers need to be applied in the spring, and when it is best to add them.

Interestingly, many experts believe that early spring is the best period when most known fertilizers can be applied. It is especially important at this time to apply nitrogen fertilizers (ammonium, ammonium nitrate) and superphosphates. In this case, the following rules must be taken into account:

1. You should focus not on calendar dates, but on specific signs, since in different years the spring season may be delayed or, on the contrary, come earlier than usual. First of all, half-melted snow and melt water must completely leave the garden (usually this happens in the 2nd half of April). If you start applying before this point, the result will be ineffective - since many fertilizers dissolve well in water, they will leave with it, and when everything dries out at the dacha, the soil will lose its useful substances.
2. Of great importance is the specific crops for which fertilizers are applied. So, in the case of fruit trees, fertilizers can be applied a little earlier than for other crops - their powerful root system will be able to receive nutrients even at a time when the soil in the lower part of the trunk has not yet completely melted.
3. In the case of vegetables and flowers, fertilizers are applied to the beds right before planting (one day before).

Advantages and rules of spring application of manure as fertilizer

It is often believed that it is better to feed the soil with manure in the fall, since during autumn and winter it will have time to decompose well and release all the useful substances into the ground. But there are also advantages to using it in early spring.

The fact is that overripe manure (humus), decomposing in the soil, will retain heat, which is very necessary for seedlings just placed in the beds. Another important detail is that manure can lose its value due to frost. For this reason, it even needs to be stored in a shed and carefully wrapped.

In this case, the application of manure requires compliance with several important rules:

1. It is better to apply manure only in a mature, rotted form - because it is in this state that it retains the maximum amount of valuable components.
2. It is necessary to fertilize with manure no more than once every 3 years.
3. Fertilizer should be applied to the soil to a depth of 15-20 cm, and not scattered over its surface.
4. You should not rely on the principle: the more, the better. Even on non-chernozem soils, manure is applied in an amount of 5-6 kg per square meter of land surface.

How to fertilize trees in spring (video)

How to fertilize the soil in spring if there is no manure

If spring has come, but there is no manure at hand, this is not a reason to abandon the sowing campaign. There are many different types of fertilizers (phosphate, nitrogen, universal, etc.), which significantly increase productivity and at the same time are affordable.

We use green manure

This is the name given to plants that are specially grown for subsequent crushing and placement in the ground to enrich it with nitrogen and suppress the growth of weeds. These fertilizers are also called green fertilizers.

These include:

1. Legumes (alfalfa, soybeans, peas and many others). Special bacteria settle on their roots, which introduce a significant amount of nitrogen into the soil.
2. Cruciferous vegetables (various varieties of mustard, rapeseed, radish, rapeseed).
3. Cereals (wheat, sorghum, rye, oats, etc.).
4. Buckwheat, phacelia, etc.

The beneficial effects of these plants are explained by the following reasons:

1. During their flowering, plants attract pollinating insects, which often eat flies, aphids, etc. that are harmful to the garden.
2. Their roots often grow strongly, penetrate deep into the ground, loosen it, making it more saturated with air.
3. Some of these plants suppress plant diseases (such as wilt).

Green manure can be used not only in spring, but also at the end of summer or during a break in planting for a year.

Mineral fertilizers for the garden

Mineral fertilizers mean inorganic fertilizers (i.e. those that do not contain organic substances). Most often, they are distinguished by the predominance of one chemical element (potassium, nitrogen, etc.), but they can also be complex (fertilizer mixtures).

Each type has its own benefits for plants:

1. Nitrogen fertilizers are easily absorbed by both the soil and crops, since they dissolve very well even in cold water. They contain easily digestible forms of nitrogen, thanks to which plants quickly gain weight, grow efficiently and without delay.
2. Phosphate fertilizers are presented in the form of phosphate rock, precipitate, and superphosphates. They contain phosphorus, which is also an important element and has a beneficial effect on plant growth. At the same time, phosphorus fertilizers dissolve in water much worse than nitrogen fertilizers. For example, phosphate rock is used more often on acidic soils, because in these cases phosphorus goes into a form that is easier to absorb.
3. Potassium nitrate has the chemical name potassium nitrate. It dissolves very well in water. It has a good effect on the growth of plants, as well as the taste and juiciness of their fruits.

In general, plants on unfertilized soil not only grow worse, but also have a greater risk of suffering from infectious diseases or acquiring other abnormalities (poor formation of ovaries and fruits, falling flowers, small fruits, etc.).

Universal fertilizers

Universal fertilizers have different chemical compositions and have a complex effect on plant organisms. Here are some examples of such feeding:

1. Organomineral fertilizer "Universal" consists of half organic and half inorganic components. It contains many substances necessary for plant growth and maintaining its health. At the same time, it also regulates the level of nitrates in the soil, preventing them from accumulating in excess. Accordingly, this has a positive effect on cultures.
2. Ammophos contains up to half the mass of phosphorus and about 10-15% nitrogen in an easily digestible form. Accordingly, it provides the plant with the beneficial effects of both of these elements.
3. Ammofoska contains not only nitrogen and phosphorus, but also potassium in approximately the same ratio.

In addition, universal fertilizers do not have to be purchased in the store. They can be found among quite affordable home remedies. Here are some examples:

1. Ash has been used to fertilize the soil since ancient times. It is valuable because it contains potassium, calcium, iron and phosphorus. It is universal not only in its action, but also in its coverage of crops - it can be used in almost any beds, as well as in the garden flower garden.
2. Herbal infusions are used on the basis of mowed weeds. They are placed in large containers, poured with boiling water and left for several days (up to 2 weeks). Then the mixture is filtered, the solid components are discarded, and the liquid is diluted in a ratio of 1 to 10. Any crop can also be watered with this solution. It is better to do evening watering sessions.

What organic fertilizers should be applied to the soil before planting?

The most common organic fertilizers other than manure include:

• peat;
• straw;
• sapropel;
• composts.

Food industry waste and household waste are also often used.

Unlike minerals, organic substances are more specific, and they must be added taking into account the characteristics of a particular crop.

For example, perennial vegetable crops (horseradish, Jerusalem artichoke, asparagus, rhubarb) like organic matter to be added immediately before planting.

At the same time, annual carrots, radishes, tomatoes, beets and others require very small amounts of these fertilizers. Sometimes it is even better to fertilize them with inorganic matter.

It is especially important to apply organic fertilizers before planting fruit trees. If the fruits are pome-shaped, then more fertilizer needs to be applied; if the fruits have seeds, less fertilizer must be applied. At the same time, you need to regularly feed the trees during growth.

How to feed indoor plants in spring

With the arrival of spring, do not forget about feeding indoor plants. The soil in pots should be fertilized more often than in the garden., since it is deprived of natural conditions and does not actually participate in the cycle of elements, which ensures the balance of the content of various useful components.

In the spring, indoor pets especially need feeding. since increasing daylight hours stimulates their growth. Mainly nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers are used; You can also use pet feces mixed with straw or sawdust as organic matter. In this case, you need to adhere to some rules:

• if the plant has just been transplanted, then it is not advisable to fertilize it at 1 month;
• Do not fertilize cacti with organic matter;
• during the dormant period it is better not to apply any fertilizers;
• If the roots of the plant rot, it is not recommended to apply fertilizers.

How to fertilize strawberries (video)

The main condition for using any fertilizer is to strictly follow the instructions. Excessive application of fertilizing is sometimes even more dangerous than its absence. Try to play by the rules and take good care of your green friends!

Reviews and comments

Vladimir 09/28/2017

I adhere to the rule that plants should be fed during the period of most active growth and immediately after fruit set. That is, essentially, in the first half of the growing season. And then I wait for the harvest. The amount of fertilizing depends on the plant, and you need to be able to recognize and correct what it needs. Now it’s easier - the Internet will tell you everything.

Of course, manure and humus are the best natural fertilizers. When it is not possible to use them, we add wood ash to the soil, water it with a solution of potassium permanganate, and buy vermicompost.

Aglaya 06/08/2018

I haven’t used manure for several years; there was no way to get it. As fertilizers I used ash and fish waste, which produce large amounts of nitrogen when rotting. Another excellent fertilizer is an infusion of herbs, especially nettle.

Olya 04/14/2019

I have long given up using manure; this fertilizer causes enormous damage to the soil, and besides, it can simply burn the seedlings. For the last few years I have been using only mineral baits.

How to fertilize the soil

Sometimes, when applying fertilizers in the garden, inexperienced gardeners and gardeners make mistakes that lead to unpleasant results. For example, excessive application of organic fertilizers, with the exception of peat and humus, causes excessive and protracted growth of shoots, reducing the winter hardiness of the plant, which is why young immature shoots freeze first. Plants begin to bear fruit late, the quality of the fruit deteriorates, and their shelf life is reduced. The same consequences are caused by late-summer fertilizing with nitrogen mineral fertilizers.

Overkill with making mineral nitrogen fertilizers on light soils can lead to the death of plants, especially berries. Applying mineral nitrogen fertilizers before planting makes no sense, since by the time the plants need them, they will have time to decompose and be washed out of the soil. In addition, applying fresh manure and mineral nitrogen fertilizers in large volumes near the tree trunk can lead to the death of the plant.

Surface application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers does not make sense, since plants, especially fruit plants, are not able to use them.

Applying any fertilizers to dry soil is impractical and even dangerous, as it causes oppression of plants due to a sharp increase in the concentration of the soil solution.

Methods and timing of fertilizer application

Successfully choosing the optimal timing and methods of fertilizing the soil is a kind of art that will provide plants with useful substances throughout the entire period of their growth and development. The reward for your efforts will be high yields and quality products.

Local application of fertilizers during root feeding allows fertilizers to be applied to the required depth, which makes it possible to place them within the soil layer where the roots are located. It is best to apply fertilizers into a moist layer of soil at a depth of 15-20 cm - in the area where the root system of most plants is active. If they are embedded shallowly (1-5 cm) or scattered over the surface without any embedding, the beneficial substances will remain in the dried soil layer and will not be available to plants, and therefore will not bring the desired result.

Thanks to the local application of fertilizers, the coefficient of nitrogen consumption by plants increases by 10-15%, phosphorus - by 5-10%, potassium - by 10-12%, when compared with broadcast surface application.

When applying locally, one should take into account the difference in the speed of movement of individual elements, each of which moves from the general source of fertilizers at its own speed. Nitrates are the most mobile, molybdenum, ammonium nitrogen and exchangeable potassium have a slower movement rate, phosphorus moves more slowly than others.

In many ways, the speed of movement of nutrients depends on the composition of the soil, its properties and the quality of fertilizers. Typically, on cohesive soils, most of the nutrients complete their movement from the source of fertilizers in the first 2-3 weeks. In heavy clay and loamy soils the process is much slower than in light sandy soils.

On soddy-podzolic loamy soils, ammonium nitrogen and potassium move in horizontal and vertical directions no more than 6-7 cm from the center of the fertilizer source. Nitrate nitrogen spreads throughout the treated soil layer, and phosphorus moves within a radius of only 2-3 cm from the center of the focus. On light sandy loam and sandy soils, the radius of the distribution zone of phosphorus increases to 3-4 cm, and potassium - to 10 cm. Nitrates spread with the same ease as in bound soils.

Solid and liquid forms of complex fertilizers act approximately equally when applied locally. Granular complex fertilizers are considered more effective.

❧ It happens that in some areas with clay soils it is impossible to detect microorganisms: they simply cannot live here due to the soil being too dense and lack of oxygen. These are the so-called dead zones that require artificial cultivation.

The rate of distribution of nutrients within the soil layers shows that solid dry fertilizers for feeding need to be applied somewhat earlier than the prescribed period so that they can be absorbed and reach the root system of the plant in a timely manner.

Humus, peat, leaf soil or bird droppings can be used as dry organic fertilizer. To introduce fertilizer into the soil, first remove the top layer of soil about 1-2 cm thick, then distribute the nutrients evenly over the area and cover the top with a thin layer of previously removed soil.

Liquid fertilizers spread in the soil at a higher speed, which is simply necessary in case of urgent feeding, because they will reach the root system area much faster. It is preferable to apply liquid fertilizers into shallow grooves (5-10 cm) laid near the plant. Moreover, it is advisable to make them as large as possible, since then a larger number of roots will come into contact with the fertilizer. Typically, grooves are made in a near-trunk circle around the plant according to the projection of the crown - this is sufficient for most berry bushes and vegetable bush crops. For fruit trees, make a circular groove along the border of the trunk circle and a few more additional ones in the circle itself under the crown.

If the weather is humid during fertilizing, then you don’t have to make furrows; just water the soil around the plant with a fertilizer solution. In addition, high humidity allows the use of fairly strong fertilizer solutions. If the soil moisture is low, you should reduce the strength of the solution or add a strong solution without diluting, but immediately water the treated area.

After watering the soil with a fertilizer solution, you need to spray the plants with water to wash off any fertilizer that accidentally gets on them. This measure will help avoid burns of leaves and stems, since the solution for root feeding is not suitable in concentration for spraying the above-ground part of the plant.

Timing of root feeding

When determining the timing of root feeding and making a choice between dry application of the Fertilizer mixture and the use of a liquid solution, you should remember the speed of distribution of nutrients within the soil layers, since it determines when the nutrients reach the roots. At the same time, even a small change in the timing of applying a particular fertilizer can affect the entire course of biochemical processes occurring in plants. Thus, the acceleration or deceleration of the rate of plant development, the balance of the ratio of their generative and vegetative organs, as well as the chemical composition of the cultivated crops depend on the timing of fertilizer application.

Fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers is usually carried out in the spring, but in the autumn they are applied very rarely and in small quantities. The exception is clayey and loamy (not sandy) soils, where, if necessary, nitrogen fertilizers can be applied in the fall, but using only those species that contain nitrogen in ammonia form. Nitrogen fertilizers are mainly used for fertilizing in early summer during the active growing season of plants.

Potassium fertilizers containing chlorine (potassium chloride, potassium salts) are recommended to be applied in the fall, since during the winter it will go into the lower layers of the soil. In the spring, such fertilizing can be carried out only in small doses in case of urgent need.

Phosphorus fertilizers can be applied in both autumn and spring.

❧ Rotted manure is considered the most effective organic fertilizer for the garden. At the same time, you need to purchase cow manure only from trusted places, since it can be heavily contaminated with weed seeds. Horse manure contains almost no such seeds.

With the help of fertilizing, the lack of certain nutrients in the soil is compensated. For normal development, plants need to be fed systematically, without waiting for signs of starvation to appear. Fertilizing carried out at different periods of plant development is aimed at solving certain problems:

Fertilizing in early spring is necessary to enhance growth;

Feeding during bud formation is necessary for high-quality flowering;

Feeding at the end of summer is required for better shoot formation.

Preparation of fertilizer solutions and mixtures

To prepare fertilizer solutions and mixtures, it is important to remember that one 10 liter bucket contains:

8 kg of fresh horse manure;

9 kg fresh cow dung;

5 kg of bird droppings;

5 kg of dry peat;

5 kg of wood ash;

12 kg of turf soil;

10 kg of compost soil.

Liquid fertilizer from mullein

A product for root feeding from mullein can be prepared as follows: fill a barrel (volume does not matter) halfway with cow manure, fill it to the top with water and mix the contents several times. The result is a strong mullein solution (mullein), which must be left to ferment for 1-2 weeks. In warm weather the process goes faster.

Before adding to the soil, a strong solution of mullein is diluted with water, and the more water, the better. This simple rule must be especially followed when applying fertilizer to dry soil. By the way, you can water the soil before fertilizing.

In addition, for root feeding of plants, you can prepare a less concentrated solution by filling the barrel one third with cow manure and adding water to the top. Further, everything completely corresponds to the preparation method described above. Before applying to the soil, the finished fertilizer is diluted with water 2-3 times.

Liquid quick fertilizer from manure

For root feeding of plants, you can prepare a weakly concentrated solution with the addition of microfertilizers. To do this, add solid bedding manure to a quarter of the barrel's volume, then add the required amount of microfertilizers and top up with water, preferably rainwater. Infuse this solution for 1-2 days, stirring regularly. The unpleasant odor can be reduced somewhat by adding pulverized silica. Then the resulting solution is diluted with water and watered over the plants.

Liquid fertilizer made from slurry with superphosphate

When preparing a solution for root feeding, take 1 part of slurry per 1 liter of solution, add 3-5 parts of water and mix thoroughly. To enrich the resulting composition, add 25-30 g of superphosphate. Ready-made fertilizer is applied at the rate of 1.5-2 liters per 1 m2.

Liquid feed from rabbit droppings

For root feeding in spring and summer, you can prepare liquid fertilizer from rabbit droppings. To do this, 1-2 kg of rabbit droppings are diluted in a bucket of water (10 l) and allowed to stand for a while until the droppings are completely dissolved.

Fertilizer is applied to shallow holes or grooves dug in the ground at the rate of 1.5 liters per 1 m2, which after application are covered with earth.

Liquid fertilizer made from bird droppings

From clean bird droppings you can prepare a mash for liquid root feeding. A barrel of any volume is filled by a third with bird droppings, filled with water to the very top, mixed thoroughly and left for 3-5 days, stirring occasionally.

It is not recommended to infuse the solution for too long, as this may result in large losses of nitrogen. Before use, the fertilizer is diluted with water in the following proportion: 1 part solution to 3-4 parts water. Liquid fertilizer is applied to the wells for crops, using 1.5 liters per 1 m2.

Making an Herbal Infusion Here, one type or mixture of fresh herbs (such as comfrey, nettle, dandelion, chamomile and wormwood) is roughly ground and layered in a non-metallic rainwater barrel. It is advisable to add stinging nettle to any collection, since it contains a number of valuable active substances that have bactericidal properties and increase plant resistance to diseases, stimulate growth and promote the formation of chlorophyll.

The herbs are not compacted so that there is free space for air between them. The barrel is filled with rainwater, leaving a little free space at the top, since the liquid will foam during fermentation.

Herbal infusions with rainwater have a beneficial effect on plants, and the proportion between herbs and water can be arbitrary, but the approximate ratio should be: 1 kg of fresh or 200 g of dried herbs per 10 liters of water.

The infusion must be fermented well so that the herbs completely release all the valuable substances they contain, and nitrogen is released during the decomposition process. The barrel is left open for free access of oxygen, which will improve the fermentation process. For the same purpose, the herbal infusion must be stirred daily. If this is not done, oxygen access will be difficult and stagnant rotting processes may begin, which will cause the release of toxic substances and reduce the quality of liquid fertilizer. To reduce the unpleasant odor that accompanies fermentation, you can add a handful of pulverized silica.

Depending on the air temperature, the infusion will be ready in 10-14 days or a little later. When ready, the liquid no longer shows signs of fermentation, the remaining suspension settles to the bottom, and the infusion becomes transparent and dark.

Before use, the herbal infusion should be filtered through a fine sieve and diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10. For mature, mature crops, you can prepare a slightly stronger solution.

Plants are watered with herbal infusion at the root, protecting the skin of the hands with rubber gloves. Liquid green fertilizer is suitable for watering tomatoes, cabbage, celery, cucumbers, but not suitable for beans, peas and onions.

Infusion of weeds with nitrophoska

To prepare fertilizer, you can use the cake from mowed grass from a lawn mower. To do this, the chopped grass is placed in a container, filling up to half its volume. Then add water to the top and add nitrophoska at the rate of 2-3 tbsp. spoons for every 10 liters of container. Infuse this mixture for 2-3 days in hot weather or 5-6 days in normal weather, until the solution turns green.

The beds are watered with ready-made fertilizer from a watering can (10 liters of solution per 1.5-2 m2) or the plants are sprayed with foliar feeding. Herbal pomace can be strained and added to compost.

Herbal infusion with tea

The crushed stems of nettle and celandine are placed in a barrel (the volume does not matter), the dried tea leaves are added, filled with water and left until fermentation begins.

The beds are watered with the prepared solution from a watering can (10 liters of solution per 1.5-2 m2).

Herbal tea

Herbal tea is essentially a variant of an herbal infusion that helps increase the vitality of plants. To prepare it, fresh plants (comfrey, chamomile, dandelion, nettle, wormwood, etc.) are prepared in the same way as for preparing an infusion, but then they are doused with boiling water and left in the water until it cools completely.

Herbal tea can be watered at the roots of plants and sprayed on foliage during foliar feeding.

Wood ash fertilizer

Wood or wood-bone ash is dissolved in water in a ratio of 1:20. Currants (especially red ones) or gooseberries are fed with this composition 2 times a week during the period of fruit ripening, watering the plants at the root.

Fertilizers from shells

Egg shells are a very valuable fertilizer for the garden.

The shells are poured into a cast iron pan and crushed with a wooden mortar to a fine fraction and mixed with ready-made compost and peat in a ratio of 1:1:1. Peat must first be dried to eliminate acidity.

The resulting mixture can be used as mulch or applied to the tree trunk using a dry method. Fertilizing helps increase the yield of vegetables and all berry crops.

Top dressing from crushed eggshells is useful for plants grown in a greenhouse. Apply it dry, 200 g per 1 m2, sprinkling it with greenhouse soil afterwards for better absorption.

Bird droppings powder

Bird droppings are ground to a powder and applied dryly, i.e. scattered under crops at the rate of 30-50 g per 1 m2. Sprinkle the treated area with a thin layer of earth on top to prevent the appearance of an unpleasant odor.

Liquid superphosphate fertilizer

To prepare the composition, pour 5 liters of water into a container, add 300-500 g of powdered or granulated simple superphosphate, mix well and leave for some time until a precipitate forms. After this, the solution is separated from the sediment and water is poured two more times in 2.5 liter portions, again infusing the solution and separating it from the sediment.

During the infusion process, superphosphate goes into solution, and the gypsum included in its composition remains in the sediment. Double superphosphate,

The resulting solution is used to water plants during phosphorus starvation.

Liquid fertilizer from Novofert complex fertilizer

The container is filled to 60-70% of the volume with soft (chlorine-free) water, Novofert fertilizer is added in the required amount (each case is individual), mixed thoroughly and, if necessary, agents are added if they dissolve well in water. Then add water to the full volume of the container.

To check the compatibility of all components, prepare a test solution in a small amount. In this case, the absence of sediment can be considered a sign of good compatibility.

When applied during foliar feeding, the temperature of the working solution can range from 8-10 °C to 18-20 °C, and the air temperature should not be lower than 10 °C.

Fertilizer application rates

Doses of fertilizers in top dressing are determined by the fertility of the soil and the amount of fertilizer applied in the spring.

Wood ash can be applied to raspberries, currants, strawberries, grapes, citrus fruits, potatoes and a number of other vegetable crops. When feeding fruit trees, apply 100-150 g per 1 m2, for other crops - 30-50 g per 1 m2. With the dry method of application, ash should be embedded in the soil to a depth of at least 8-10 cm.

Mineral nitrogen fertilizers for feeding are used at the rate of 3-4 g per 1 m 2 of active substance: 9-12 g of ammonium nitrate or 15-20 g of ammonium sulfate per 10 liters of water. Nitrogen alone should not be applied if there are signs of fungal or bacterial infection. Foliar feeding (spraying) during nitrogen starvation gives a quick effect: 0.5% urea solution (50 g per 10 liters of water).

Mineral potassium fertilizers for feeding are used at the rate of 4 g per 1 m 2 of active substance: 8 g of potassium chloride per 10 liters of water. You can replace potassium with wood ash at the rate of 80 g per 1 m2. It is better to apply potash fertilizers when seeds, fruits, bulbs and tubers form. Foliar feeding of plants can be carried out with a solution of potassium salt at the rate of 50 g per 10 liters of water.

In case of phosphorus starvation, plants can be quickly fed with superphosphate or complex fertilizer (1 tablespoon per 10 liters of water) before the flowering phase. Then mulch the soil with peat and then embed it into the soil. Foliar feeding of trees (spraying) is carried out using a superphosphate solution (50 g per 10 l of water). On acidic soils, it is better to replace superphosphate with phosphorite.

To quickly improve the health of trees or shrubs, fertilizing with potassium monophosphate (20 g per 10 liters of water) is suitable. The solution is watered around the tree trunks. Plants quickly absorb fertilizer containing phosphorus and potassium. It is advisable to feed the plants with mineral complex fertilizer or semi-rotted manure after 2 weeks.

Calcium fertilizing, provided the soil acidity is normal, can be carried out with calcium sulfate, superphosphate or calcium nitrate (1 tablespoon per 10 liters of water).

Magnesium foliar feeding of plants is carried out after flowering with a solution of magnesium sulfate (20 g per 10 l of water) or wood ash. If plants are starved of magnesium, spraying should be repeated up to 4 times with an interval of 10 days. Foliar feeding with magnesium gives a greater effect, since magnesium fertilizers applied to the soil will begin to act only after 2 years.

❧ To feed fruit trees and shrubs with humus by filling the trunk hole, 3-4 medium bags of material are used per plant. Although gardeners often determine the dosage of natural organic fertilizers on their own, based on their personal experience.

Fertilizing plants with iron-containing fertilizers can be done in two ways. In September, add quickly decomposing organic fertilizers (humus) or any other acidifying fertilizer to the soil and at the same time stop adding substances containing calcium. Fruit trees can be watered with a 1% solution of iron sulfate in the spring.

For foliar feeding, carried out 2-3 times in the spring, the following iron-containing preparations are used: a solution of complex fertilizer “Kemira Universal 2” (1 tablespoon per 10 liters of water) or a solution of iron sulfate (50 g per 10 liters of water). However, ferrous sulfate (ferrous sulfate) must be used with great caution, as exceeding the dose can cause leaf burns.

Feeding fruit plants with manganese helps to increase yield and increase the sugar content of fruits and berries. For foliar feeding, plants are sprayed with a solution of manganese sulfate, the concentration of which depends on the period: before bud break, 500 g per 10 l of water, after - 10 g per 10 l of water.

If it is necessary to reduce the lime content in the soil, physiologically acidic fertilizers are applied: peat, leaf or coniferous litter, potassium sulfate or ammonium sulfate, etc.

Foliar feeding (spraying) of flowering crops with boron-containing preparations helps to increase yield. During mountain fasting at the beginning of summer, plants should be sprayed with a solution of boric acid (5 g per 10 liters of water). Wood ash is also a good source of boron, so during the growing season you can sprinkle the soil around the bush with ash and then embed it to the required depth.

Additional copper fertilizing is not required for plants that are regularly sprayed in the spring with copper-containing preparations as part of the prevention of fungal diseases. You just need to pay special attention to tomatoes, which are very responsive to the addition of copper and sometimes need additional amounts of this trace element. You can compensate for the lack of copper by adding copper sulfate in the form of a solution (10 g per 10 liters of water).

In spring, one of the main tasks is to fertilize the soil. What fertilizers to choose for this and how to fertilize the soil in the spring at the dacha if there is no manure? This is what this article will talk about.

Often, green manure is increasingly used as fertilizer in garden plots. Green manures are plants that are sown and then plowed into the ground, thereby improving its composition. The following grain crops are used as green manure:

• buckwheat;
• wheat;
• oats;
• lupine;
• mustard and some other plants.

When sowing plants for fertilizer, those with well-developed roots and a large amount of vegetative mass are selected. Such plants should have a short growth period, which is why they are planted as green manure. . What plants to plant to improve the soil depends on its condition. Cereals planted as fertilizer are equivalent in productivity to horse or cow manure.

Green manure is often used as a fertilizer in garden plots.

The root system of such plantings is well branched; it loosens the soil, enriching it with oxygen., the structure of the soil improves, the top layer of the earth becomes healthier. As such plantings grow, the soil becomes more saturated with moisture, its acidity decreases, and the soil is disinfected. And the soil retains these positive qualities for several years after growing green manure on it.

Legumes planted on the site saturate the soil with nitrogen and phosphorus. These elements contribute to the rapid growth of the vegetative mass of garden crops and fruit trees. And rye is a supplier of potassium to the soil. Rye grows very quickly, so it can be used as green manure not only in the autumn, but also in the spring, immediately after the snow melts. Marigolds or marigolds should be used to disinfect the area. To more successfully fight the Colorado potato beetle on your site, you should regularly use parsnips or alfalfa as green manure.

When choosing what to plant on your site to improve the soil composition, you should remember that vegetable crops grow better after certain plants. Rye promotes better growth of potatoes, tomatoes or cucumbers.

In spring, green manure plants are usually planted in the trunks of fruit trees. These plantings will improve the soil throughout the season with minerals and nitrogen, prevent weeds from growing and multiplying, and when the fruit trees bloom, these plants will attract flying insects and thereby improve the pollination of the trees.

Organic fertilizers for the garden (video)

Fertilizing the soil with manure in spring

In spring, fresh manure is not applied to the soil, because it can burn the root system of planted vegetable plants. Therefore, rotted horse manure or mullein is usually used as soil fertilizing in the spring. Typically, manure is collected during the summer and autumn, and applied to the ground only in early spring. This organic fertilizer saturates the soil with nitrogen., which is extremely necessary for cultivated plants during the growth period - this microelement accelerates the growth of shoots and vegetative mass. In addition to nitrogen, manure also contains other macro and microelements necessary for the full development of cultivated plants in the garden plot.

Typically, manure should be applied to the soil immediately after the snow melts. Typically, this organic fertilizer is sprinkled over the area immediately before digging the soil, after the soil has warmed up sufficiently after winter. However, when applying organic fertilizers should be remembered that their excess is just as harmful to plants as their deficiency. 10 kg of manure is applied per 1 m2 of soil - this amount of this organic fertilizer is quite enough to saturate the soil with useful substances.

Rotted horse manure or mullein is usually used to fertilize the soil in spring.

If there is not too much manure to fertilize the entire garden, then this rotted organic fertilizer is applied directly to the planting holes.

Slurry can also be used as a top dressing in the spring. It is prepared as follows: rotted manure is diluted with liquid (5 liters of water are taken per 1 kilogram of manure). Such Fruit trees and planted vegetable plants are fertilized with liquid fertilizer in the spring. Berry bushes, strawberries, apple trees, pears, and stone fruit trees are especially responsive to such feeding.

The application of rotted manure improves the composition of the soil, so it is also used as mulch. The application of this organic fertilizer helps plants absorb the applied mineral fertilizers faster and better. Therefore, experienced gardeners apply manure to the soil during the spring.

When there is no rotted manure in the spring, it can be replaced with wood ash

How to fertilize the land if there is no manure

When there is no rotted manure in the spring, it can be replaced with other organic matter. These could be:

• chicken droppings;
• high peat;
• rotted compost mass;
• sawdust from trees;
• straw;
• wood ash and other similar fertilizers.

When applied to the soil, these fertilizers help loosen it, enrich the depleted soil with the necessary macro and microelements, help increase the vegetative mass and develop all the cultivated plants on the site.

How to apply mineral fertilizers (video)

When and how to feed the soil in spring with mineral fertilizers

In addition to organic matter, mineral supplements should also be added in the spring. Gardeners select the composition of such fertilizers, taking into account the general condition of the soil, the crops that will be planted in specific areas and many other factors.

The timing of applying mineral fertilizers in the spring depends on when the snow in the garden melts. It is not worth spreading such fertilizers on unmelted snow.– most of the fertilizers can “float away” along with the melt water. You can apply mineral fertilizers to tree trunk circles even when the ground has not completely thawed. But under the planted vegetable crops, mineral additives are poured directly into the prepared holes.

The timing of applying mineral fertilizers in the spring depends on when the snow in the garden melts

In the spring, the following mineral fertilizers are applied to the soil:

1. Containing nitrogen (ammonium nitrate, urea, ammonium sulfate). These fertilizers accelerate the acquisition of vegetative mass by plants, stimulate the growth of the root system, and contribute to high yields.
2. Fertilizers containing phosphorus (superphosphates and double superphosphates) are also very important for plants in spring. After all, these microelements stimulate plant growth, as well as their development. The norm for applying such fertilizers is 1 cup per 1 m2.

When using mineral fertilizers as spring fertilizers, it is necessary to strictly adhere to all instructions for the use of these additives, as well as the doses required for application to the soil. This takes into account the types of soils into which fertilizers are applied and the plants that need to be fed.

The main disadvantage when applying mineral fertilizers in the spring is their possible leaching from the soil during the spring rains.

When using mineral fertilizers as spring fertilizers, you must strictly adhere to all instructions for using these additives

Features of applying nitrogen fertilizers

When applying nitrogen fertilizers, the following features should be taken into account:

1. Nitrogen promotes the growth of vegetative mass, the rapid growth of shoots and the root system, therefore it is applied to any plants and trees at a certain period - in spring and early summer - when these cultivated plants are actively growing. But during the period of flowering, fruiting and subsequent preparation for winter, nitrogen should not be applied, so as not to provoke excessive growth of foliage in trees and shrubs to the detriment of the ripening crop.
2. The amount of nitrogen in the soil should be sufficient for plants, but its excess is harmful. Therefore, you should not get carried away with applying organic fertilizers (especially mullein or other types of manure) and adhere to certain standards when applying such fertilizers.

Nitrogen promotes the growth of vegetative mass, rapid growth of shoots and root system

Universal fertilizers for garden and vegetable crops

There are a large number of complex fertilizers on sale, which contain all the necessary mineral elements and other nutrients needed by plants. The application of such complex fertilizing allows you to immediately introduce into the soil all the elements that are necessary. Moreover the composition of such fertilizers may vary– depending on the type of soil and the growth characteristics of the cultivated plants grown on the site.

When using these supplements, you must adhere to the instructions for their use and in no case reduce or increase the dosage unless necessary.

Instructions

Organic fertilizers are divided into two groups: plant residues and animal fertilizers. Vegetables include: peat, composts. For animals: manure and droppings. When organic fertilizers are added to the soil, its structure improves significantly. This promotes the reproduction of living organisms, which bring great benefits both to the soil itself and to the plants. Today, it is recommended to apply organic fertilizers using compost. It is very easy to prepare. Lay out straw 15 centimeters thick over an area of ​​10 square meters. Then a layer of manure 20 centimeters. Then a layer of peat is also 15-20 centimeters. Sprinkle lime and phosphate rock on top of this, mixing them one to one. Sprinkle 50-60 grams per square meter. Add another layer of manure 15-20 centimeters on top. Cover all this with a thin layer of earth. This compost must be aged for 7-8 months and only then can it be used. The advantages of organic fertilizer: first, it increases soil fertility, second, it improves its structure, and third, it ensures the presence of living microorganisms. But there is also. The first one is nutrient imbalance. Second, its concentration is still unknown. The third is keeping a large number of weeds. Fourth, there is a high risk of contracting diseases. Fifth, organic matter inherently absorbs and attracts toxic substances. And the sixth is the most dangerous, these fertilizers absorb radionuclides.

Mineral fertilizers are chemical substances that require careful handling. They must be used strictly according to the norm. Noble gardeners usually use the following: nitrogen, lime, manganese, potassium and other fertilizers. Nitrogen fertilizers include: nitrate, urea, ammonia and ammonia water. For good plant nutrition, it is necessary that there is always enough nitrogen in the soil. Nitrogen fertilizers need to be applied to the soil twice a year. They are applied twice a year. The first half of the fertilizer is applied around the second half of April, and the second half in mid-November. The method of applying such fertilizers is the same. The fertilizer is spread by hand, after which the soil is cultivated. To achieve the best effect, the soil must be moist. Potassium fertilizers significantly increase productivity. Potassium in the soil is mainly in forms that are difficult for plants to reach, so the agricultural need for such fertilizers is very great. Almost all of them contain chlorine, sodium and magnesium ions, which affect plant growth. It is recommended to apply potassium fertilizers in the fall along with manure for basic soil cultivation. Without phosphorus, the formation of chlorophyll and the absorption of carbon dioxide by plants is impossible. The application of phosphorus fertilizers to the soil not only increases productivity, but also improves the quality of products. These fertilizers need to be applied in the fall. First, scatter them over the surface, then dig the ground to a depth of twenty centimeters. You need to dig near trees parallel to the roots.

Organomineral fertilizers are humic fertilizers that consist of organic substances and mineral compounds. Each drug has its own instructions for use. But there are basic methods of depositing. For open soil, this is the spraying method, and for closed soil, these are the methods of drip irrigation, sprinkling, surface watering and manual leaf spraying. The basic consumption rate for seed treatment is 300-700 milliliters per ton of seeds. For foliar feeding - 200-400 milliliters of fertilizer per hectare of crops. For greenhouses - with drip irrigation 20-40 milliliters per thousand liters of irrigation water, and when spraying 5-10 milliliters of fertilizer per 10 liters of water.

With the arrival of autumn, dacha chores do not end; the time comes when you need to take care of the toiling earth and return to her what she gave to you with a bountiful and tasty harvest. The soil needs to be fertilized and restored to structure, and for this it is necessary to introduce a variety of organic and mineral fertilizers in order to lay the foundation for future successful growth and fruiting of garden and vegetable plantings.

We nourish the earth with organic matter

Autumn fertilizing has two goals - replenishing lost nutrients and improving the air and water permeability of the soil. Autumn is the best time to restore the acid-base balance and lighten heavy clay soils.

Manure, used from time immemorial, has now become expensive; in addition, it has two significant drawbacks - it is full of weed seeds and contains pathogenic microorganisms, which in the spring can become a source of disease for cultural plantings.

Manure is replaced with other organic matter - humus, compost, wood ash. Organic fertilizers take a long time to decompose. It takes several months for the earth to receive the necessary substances. Therefore, it is advisable to apply them in the fall, so that in the spring the soil is saturated with everything necessary for the full growth of young seedlings.

Before winter, it is important not to saturate the soil with nitrogen, especially beds with perennial plants. Otherwise, new shoots will begin to grow, which will not have time to get stronger before the arrival of frost, will be damaged and will become easy prey for bacterial and fungal infections. Organic fertilizers are applied after harvesting and completely clearing the beds of weeds. Dates: end of August and September.

Humus is a mixture of rotted manure and plant residues. Due to the fact that humus consists of elastic microparticles, it loosens the soil well, allowing oxygen and moisture to freely penetrate to the roots of plants. Humic acids contained in humus increase soil fertility, and fulvic acids are needed for the formation of mineral salts in a form accessible to plants. Humus nourishes the root system of plants and serves as food for beneficial soil bacteria.

Humus is a rotten homogeneous mass that is externally similar to the soil surface

Humus is used to fertilize areas where potatoes, root crops, tomatoes, and cucumbers will be planted in the spring. First, it is evenly distributed throughout the entire area at the rate of 1 bucket (6 kg) per 1 square meter. m, and then dig up.

Under fruit trees and shrubs, humus is laid out in a circle around the trunk, 15–20 cm away from the trunk, at the rate of 300 g per 1 sq. m. m. It is better to dig it in a little (no more than 2–3 cm). Then solutions of nutrient salts will penetrate to the roots with precipitation. In addition, a layer of humus will warm the roots in winter. Fertilizer is produced after leaf fall and harvesting of fallen leaves.

Compost is the safest and most affordable type of organic fertilizer. What has accumulated in the compost pit over the summer will completely rot over the winter, and in the spring it will become an excellent feed for young plants. The first way is to add it during digging. You can use compost in other ways. Having prepared the beds for winter, spread the pulled out weeds on their surface, and on top of them - a layer of compost. Pour EM preparations on top, for example, Baikal. By spring, effective microorganisms will transform the layer into a mixture of beneficial compounds that are easily available for absorption by plants. The ground around fruit trees and shrubs is mulched with compost. Consumption for digging and mulching is 1–2 buckets per 1 sq. m. m.

The easiest way to use compost at the dacha is to distribute it over the entire usable area of ​​the garden in a continuous layer, followed by plowing the soil.

It is difficult to overestimate the benefits of wood ash for the soil. It reduces soil acidity, promotes the conversion of nutrients into a form easily accessible to plants, suppresses pathogenic microflora and protects against pests. Ash contains potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, sulfur and other minerals. In the fall, it is applied in the form of a solution prepared a week before use at the rate of 300 g per 10 liters of water. In dry form, the ash is scattered on the beds at the rate of 1 cup per 1 sq.m of land. Wood ash works best on clay soil, increasing its permeability.

Bird droppings

Bird droppings serve as a complete replacement for manure. This is a “long-lasting” fertilizer and must be applied once every three years. Rotted bird droppings are sold in any specialty store.

The use of chicken manure improves the condition of the soil, its chemical composition, and promotes the proliferation of beneficial bacteria

Application rates:

• for green, berry crops, onions, garlic and root vegetables - 2 kg per 1 sq. m when digging a bed;
• for others a little more - 3 kg per 1 sq. m.

Bone meal is a universal fertilizer suitable for all types of garden plantings. It is an excellent natural source of calcium and phosphorus.

The highest percentage of phosphorus (35%) is found in nonfat concentrated bone meal

For garden crops, bone meal is applied annually; it is enough to fertilize fruit trees and berry bushes once every three years.

The amount of powder is calculated based on the type of flour. It can be ordinary, mechanically produced, low-fat and steamed. Each of them has its own concentration, so you must follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Fishmeal is more suitable for nightshade crops (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants) in terms of its chemical composition. It is better to bring it in for digging. Keep in mind that bone meal is not suitable for alkaline and neutral soils, as it deoxidizes the soil and can lead to severe alkalization of the soil.

Green manure

Green manure is another type of organic fertilizer that is popular among gardeners. Sideration allows you to solve several problems:

• prevent erosion, winter freezing and spring drying out of the soil;
• provide nutrition to soil microflora;
• form a fertile layer;
• loosen the soil.

For sowing before winter, green manure plants with strong roots are chosen so that they loosen the soil more effectively. Planting green manure in the fall for three years in a row enriches the soil no less effectively than manure. In cool regions, sowing should be done in August. Grass that has grown to 20–30 cm should go under the snow. It can be mowed, embedded in the soil, mulched over the beds, or left to grow. It will lie under the snow and, like mowed green manure, forms a nutritious and warming layer for the soil.

Green manure works for 6 months and during this time they manage to loosen clay soils and loams and nourish sandy soils

It is important to remember that cruciferous green manure plants (mustard, rapeseed, radish) are not planted where cabbage (any type), radish, spinach, and lettuce grew before or will grow next year. They have the same diseases, and your vegetable crops can become infected through green manure.

Table: types and benefits of green manure

Mineral fertilizers

Autumn feeding must include mineral fertilizers. They will prevent perennial plants from freezing, will help them gain strength for the next season, and will help depleted soil, which has given up its resources, to restore its proper chemical composition. Autumn mineral fertilizers are applied to warm soil before the first frost. As a rule, fertilizer is produced at the end of August or beginning of September.

It is better to purchase mineral fertilizers for autumn use in specialized stores, where they are already selected for their intended purpose.

It is best to use complex fertilizers produced industrially. Typically, mixtures have already been selected in accordance with their intended purpose - for fruit trees, berry crops, perennials, and so on. They contain potassium, calcium, phosphorus and nitrogen in the required proportions. The packages are marked “autumn” or “for autumn use.”

Phosphorus fertilizers

Phosphorus fertilizers applied in the fall will reduce the acidity of the soil, accelerate the appearance and growth of new shoots in the spring, and increase the plant’s defenses. It is especially necessary for perennials to strengthen and maintain the health of the root system. The most commonly used are superphosphate, phosphate rock and potassium metaphosphate. The most popular fertilizer among gardeners is superphosphate. To increase efficiency, it is recommended to apply it together with humus or compost. For autumn digging you will need 40–50 g of dry simple superphosphate per 1 square meter. m. Double superphosphate is added by half. The fertilizer is scattered on the garden bed and incorporated into the soil.

Superphosphate contains monocalcium phosphate, phosphoric acid, magnesium and sulfur

Potash fertilizers

Plants need potassium to maintain water balance, accumulate sugars in fruits, strengthen resistance to disease and increase frost resistance. The latter property makes it necessary to apply potash fertilizers in autumn for perennial plants.

Table: types of potash fertilizers

Potash fertilizers, like phosphorus fertilizers, are applied during digging.

Video: what fertilizers to apply to the soil in the fall

Take care of the land, fertilize it, do not leave it “bare” for the winter. And she will repay you with a bountiful harvest of delicious berries, fruits and vegetables.