YOUR HEALTHY GARDEN

Nutrition FOR YOUR PLANTS

For the three main nutrients for your plants, I would recommend that you get fish fertilizer for nitrogen supplement, bonemeal for phosphorus supplement and kelp meal for potassium supplement. Alternatively, just get those specially marked fertilizers which cater to different plants. Also, many of our EV gardeners have only used the compost from our compost enclosure and their plants have thrived without the use of additional fertilizer. So just make sure that you get those compost into your garden in early spring to get off to a great start!

Nitrogen spurs leafy growth. Given too much nitrogen, some plants will not flower; given too little, plants may have pale-green or yellowish older leaves.

Phosphorus encourages good blooming and root development. Too little phosphorus causes stunted plant growth and purplish younger leaves.

Potassium is directly involved in photosynthesis. It also encourages disease resistance and sturdy stems. Without enough potassium, a plant may have yellowish or spotted older leaves.

Calcium encourages strong cells and root growth. Environmental conditions, such as heat or drought, may make it difficult for some plants to absorb calcium. If plants don’t get enough calcium, they may drop blossoms, show yellow edges on young leaves, or have curled leaves

Sulfur is necessary for the formation of chlorophyll(the green pigment in plants that converts light to energy). It promotes healthy roots and lowers soil pH. Without enough sulfur, a plant’s new leaves may appear yellowed. Deficiencies are uncommon, however.

Magnesium is a component of chlorophyll. Acidic, sandy soils often contain less magnesium than alkaline, humus-rich, or clay soils. Too much nitrogen or potassium may make it difficult for plants to absorb magnesium. Without enough magnesium, plants may have yellowish older leaves with green veins.

Manganese is involved in the formation of chlorophyll and helps plants use nitrogen. It is more available to plants in acidic soils than in alkaline soils. Without enough manganese, plants may have yellowish older leaves with green veins.

Iron is more available to plans if the soil is acidic. Lowering the soil Ph(by adding organic matter or sulfur) may be more beneficial than adding more iron. Since iron is also associated with chlorophyll, a lack of iron may result in stunted plant growth and younger leaves turning yellow. The yellowing often starts at the edges and spreads inward.

Chlorine is important to plant metabolism and influences water movement within the plant. Too little chlorine is rare. Too much chlorine is more common, which results in brown leaf tips. Entire leaves may turn yellow and fall from the plant.

Zinc helps the plant use sugars, which influence plant size and growth rate. Without enough zinc in the soil, the plant leaves may be smaller than usual or have puckered-looking edges.

Boron influences how plants use and absorb other nutrients. Too little boron in the soil may cause dead or deformed new growth or unusually brittle leaves. Plants require very little boron, however.

Copper is a part of many proteins and is important to plant reproduction. When plants lack copper, their younger leaves my be misshapen or dark blue-green.