FERTILIZER FOR DUMMIES
ANALYZE
SOIL BEFORE YOU FERTILIZE
A soil test is like taking an inventory
of the nutrients available to your plants, explains OSU
Extension soil scientist John Hart.
WHAT
DO THE NUMBERS ON THE FERTILIZER PACKAGES MEAN?
They correspond
to the percentage of elements essential for plants – N,
P and K – nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, explains OSU horticulturist
Ross Penhallegon.
DOES
YOUR GARDEN SOIL HAVE ENOUGH ORGANIC MATTER?
Neil Bell, OSU
Extension home horticulturist, discusses symptoms of poor
soil and what to do about them.
THE
SCOOP ON CHEMICAL VS. ORGANIC FERTILIZERS
Neither type is
better in every situation. Each has advantages and disadvantages,
according to OSU Extension’s Ross Penhallegon.
FERTILIZER
APPLICATION TECHNIQUES DEMYSTIFIED
John Hart, OSU soil scientist,
explains three of the most basic fertilizer application
techniques mentioned in gardening books, seed packets and
fertilizer packages that might mystify home gardeners.
NUTRIENT
VALUES OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS
Information about the nitrogen
(N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) content of many of
the organic substances commonly used as organic fertilizer.
KNOW
YOUR NUTRIENTS: OSU’s ONLINE ORGANIC FERTILIZER CALCULATOR
Use
this Excel-based OSU Extension Service calculator to help
you compare the cost, nutrient value and nitrogen availability of organic
materials for your garden or small farm.
WHAT TO FERTILIZE IN THE SPRING
SPRING
IS A GOOD TIME TO FERTLIZE SHRUBS AND TREES
Before you fertilize,
take a look at your trees and ask these questions to help
you decide if your tree needs additional nutrients.
FERTILIZE
GARLIC IN SPRING FOR A BIGGER, HEALTHIER CROP
Chip Bubl,
garlic expert at the Columbia County office of the OSU Extension
Service, shares the best way to fertilize growing garlic
plants.
FERTILIZE
FRUIT TREES AFTER SPRING BLOOM
Think about how your tree
looked last year during the growing season and fertilize
accordingly, after bloom, advises OSU’s John
Hart.
DON’T
FORGET TO FERTILIZE HOUSEPLANTS IN THE SPRING
All plants,
including those kept indoors, need nutrients in the spring.
But take care to not feed them too often or too much, warns
retired OSU Extension horticulturist Jan McNeilan.
PREVENT POLLUTION WHEN FERTILIZING
BE
GREEN WHEN FERTILIZING YOUR GRASS
Envision the lawn you’d
be happy with, then fertilize accordingly, advises OSU turf
grass specialist Tom Cook.
GRASS
CLIPPINGS CAN BE GOOD SOURCE OF NUTRIENTS FOR YOUR LAWN
Research
in the OSU Department of Horticulture has shown that the
fertilizer application rate can be cut almost in half when
clippings are returned to the lawn with a mulching type rotary
mower.
FOR
AMPHIBIANS’ SAKE, BE CAREFUL WITH FERTILIZER
Frogs
and toads can be highly susceptible to fairly low levels
of nitrate and nitrite exposure. Methods for keeping fertilizer
from contaminating aquatic habitat.
OSU EXTENSION PUBLICATIONS
ON FERTILIZING HOME GARDENS:
Understanding
Nitrogen Fertilizers (EC 1492)
Using
Nitrogen Fertilizers Wisely (EC 1493)
Fertilizing
Your Garden: Vegetables, Fruits, and Ornamentals (EC 1503)
Improving
Garden Soils With Organic Matter (EC 1561)
Soil
Sampling for Home Gardens and Small Acreages (EC 628)
ONE-MINUTE GARDENER
Gardening
tips from OSU Extension's radio archive. Turn
your speakers on and visit the links below:
USING
MANURE SAFELY
COFFEE
GROUNDS ARE GOOD SOURCE OF NITROGEN FOR GARDEN
APRIL GARDEN CALENDAR
THINGS
TO DO IN YOUR GARDEN THIS MONTH |
