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Interesting Ways To Use Epsom Salts In Your Garden

Posted on By Willy Green No Comments on Interesting Ways To Use Epsom Salts In Your Garden



Interesting Ways To Use Epsom Salts In Your Garden

Having green spaces and in particular, a vegetable garden, is always a big advantage, because it is very pleasant to grow beautiful and delicious things! Both amateurs and the most experienced are therefore often interested in methods to promote healthy and abundant growth.

Although not popularly known, Epsom salt can do real wonders if you know how to use it — no, not as a foot bath or a relaxing bath — but in the garden, where Epsom salt, which is also often called magnesium sulphate, is a natural fertilizer.

Let us tell you more about its benefits and the possible uses of this great natural product on your plants. Below are 13 interesting ways to use epsom salts in your garden.

What Are The Benefits Of Epsom Salt?

Epsom salt is composed of hydrated magnesium sulfate, a natural mineral first found in the waters of Epsom wells in England. It has a variety of home remedy applications – the two best known, being a saline laxative and pain reliever. What many people don’t realize is that Epsom salt also has several uses in organic gardening for healthy plants.

Thanks to its richness in sulfate and nutritious magnesium, the natural mineral nutrient that is Epsom salt has many virtues for the garden which are useful at all stages of growth. In a nutshell, this salt adds the following benefits to your garden:

  • It solidifies the seed and allows it to better absorb minerals.

  • In addition, it allows the roots to be stronger.

  • It offers longevity and vigor to plants to avoid dead plants and grasses.

  • It promotes photosynthesis processes as well as those related to chlorophyll.

  • These trace nutrients allow the plant to develop fruit and flowers in abundance.

  • It causes plants to green even more and yellow even less. The flowers are brighter in color, and the fruits are bigger and tastier because they have more energy and therefore produce more sugar.

  • And most importantly, it does not accumulate in the soil or water over time.

Now let’s break down in detail how Epsom salt optimizes your garden to the fullest potential.

Interesting Ways To Use Epsom Salts In Your Garden

1. Improve Seed Germination

Using Epsom salt as a soil amendment before seeding will give your garden a boost from the start. Magnesium facilitates seed germination and helps strengthen cell walls, resulting in more and stronger plants.

Thus, it contributes to the development of seeds. The chemical reaction generated by magnesium sulfate causes an acceleration of the reproduction phenomenon, that’s too much biology jargon, right? Let’s just say it promotes the multiplication and growth of plants.

For best results, apply 1 cup of Epsom salt per 100 square feet of cultivated soil or mix 1 to 2 tablespoons into the soil at the bottom of each hole before seeding.

2. A Salt that Protects Against Salt

Magnesium sulfate is also beneficial for potted plants as it removes common salt that naturally accumulates in the container. They undertake this job by blocking the cells at the level of the roots of plants and prevent them from assimilating nutrients in the soil. Thanks to Epsom salt, potted plants can eat properly, which promotes their growth.

3. Increase Nutrient Uptake

Many commercial fertilizers add magnesium to help plant roots absorb essential nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur). For those who are for all organic matter to nourish their gardens, adding Epsom salt to the soil will improve absorption naturally, eliminating the need for processed chemical fertilizers.

4. Countering the Shock of Transplanting

We have all seen how our plants and seedlings wilt when we move them from a small pot to a larger one, indoors to outdoors, or from a greenhouse to the ground.

Try feeding the transplants with Epsom salt once they are in their new environment to help the injured roots overcome the shock of the transplant. Remember to add a layer of soil over the salt strewn with holes so that the roots do not come into direct contact with these concentrated minerals.

5. Green Foliage

Plants that don’t get enough magnesium can be identified by their yellowing leaves. Indeed, magnesium is an essential element in the production of chlorophyll. Try sprinkling Epsom salt around your plants for healthier foliage.

About 1 tablespoon per 12 inches of height once a month will benefit the plants in your vegetable garden, as well as any trees, shrubs, flowers, and herbs that you want to green.

6. Prevent Curling

Short-term curling, a very common defect in plants, can also be caused by a deficiency of magnesium in plants. Again, add Epsom salt to the soil around the base of the diseased plant.

For faster absorption, you can also mix 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in a gallon of water and apply directly to the leaves.

7. Garden Pests

Although Epsom salt does not dehydrate slugs and snails like table salt (sodium chloride), it can still be used to deter pests. Hydrated magnesium sulfate crystals are sharp, and when sprinkled around plants, they can scratch and irritate the body and feet of unwanted creatures in the same way as diatomaceous earth.

Keep in mind that Epsom salt dissolves very easily in water, so any amount of rain will likely wash them away.

 

8. Growing Sweeter Fruits

The production of fruit bodies is the most trying process in a plant’s life cycle. Apply Epsom salt to fruit and walnut trees, shrubs as well as vines using the same methods and amounts as given above to stimulate chlorophyll levels inside the plant cells. Increased energy means more sugar, which allows the plant to produce sweeter, healthier fruits.

9. Grow Tastier Tomatoes with Epsom Salt

Epsom salt promotes the growth of fruits and helps in the development of vegetable plants, such as tomatoes. For starters, it helps prevent blossom end rot. This disease is usually caused by a deficiency that causes the tip of the fruit to darken.

Tomato vines are among a handful of ordinary garden residents whose ratio of fruit to plant size is heavier than average, resulting in an even greater probability of magnesium deficiency. For this reason, tomatoes should be fed Epsom salt twice as often as other plants.

Additionally, because tomato vines are prone to calcium deficiency, which causes the flower tip to rot, the majority of tomato fertilizers contain calcium which will compete with magnesium for root absorption. Therefore, foliar feeding is the most efficient method of delivering magnesium to these plants.

For tomatoes growing in the ground, pour 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt mixed in 4 liters of water. Do this once a month from planting to harvest. This natural blend promotes growth and prevents rotting during flowering.

10. Grow Healthier Peppers

Peppers are another popular garden plant with an above-average size-to-fruit ratio. As such, they should also be fed magnesium every two weeks for better yields of larger fruit.

Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt for every foot of height around the drip line of your bell pepper plants once a week.

11. Beautiful Abundant Roses

Don’t you wonder why your neighbor’s rose bushes are denser than yours and produce so many flowers? The answer is very likely to be Epsom salt.

Not only does this help roses produce larger flowers in greater numbers, many successful rosaries will agree that the magnesium also helps the growth of new canes from the base of the plant. And of course, Epsom salt increases the production of chlorophyll, which means your leaves will brandish a stronger color.

For maximum benefit, roses should at least be fed Epsom salt at the time of planting, then at the first sign of new growth, and once more when the flowers are in full bloom.

12. A Substitute Foliar Fertilizer

In principle, fertilizer is an organic or human-designed material that stimulates plant growth. In the same way, Epsom salt is a substance containing nutrients essential for plant growth. It promotes better yield since the natural nutrients which it comprises are easily absorbed by the plants.

Epsom salt is often used as a foliar fertilizer, meaning it is sprinkled directly on the leaves. To do this:

Dilute a large teaspoon of salt in 1 liter of water and spray the mixture on the leaves of your green plants once or twice a month.

They will be more powerful and greener because the salt activates photosynthesis.

13. Enhance Your Lawn

It is pleasant to see very green lawns. Like all other plants, lawns need nutrients to optimize their development. And you can cheaply get that optimization in magnesium sulfate which participates in the formation of chlorophyll, thereby giving plants their green color.

However, it is advisable to follow some recommendations so as not to abuse this. Thus, the amount to be used varies depending on the surface to be treated:

1.5 kg of Epsom salt is enough for 25 m2;

3 kg are needed to maintain 50 m2 of grass.

It is advisable to seek the help of a specialist or to draw up a calculation sheet so as not to make a costly mistake in the exact dosage of the product

Another thing! Note that the addition of magnesium sulfate should preferably be done in spring.

How to use Epsom salt in Your Garden?

When planting, sprinkle about 250 grams of Epsom salt per 10 m² of land and turn the soil over before planting your seeds or plants.

At least once or twice a month, water the plants with a mixture of 3 liters of water for a tablespoon of Epsom salt. This chemical-free watering brings nutrients to the soil.

Every two weeks sprinkle a tablespoon of this salt on the tomato and pepper plants. For rose bushes, you can use a teaspoon occasionally.

For a green lawn, gardeners should sprinkle 1.5 kg of Epsom salt per 25 m². Thank you for reading 13 Interesting Ways To Use Epsom Salts In Your Garden

Gardening, Gardening How to

15 Interesting Ways To Use Coffee Grounds In The Garden

Posted on By Willy Green No Comments on 15 Interesting Ways To Use Coffee Grounds In The Garden



15 Interesting Ways To Use Coffee Grounds In The Garden

With coffee being one of the most consumed drinks in the world, chances are you have it in your home. If you belong to a household that never misses their daily morning filter coffee, chances are also high that you throw your coffee filter and its coffee grounds into the household garbage. Without giving up the satisfying taste that your coffee provides you can find new uses, both ecological, economical, and practical, for this ‘waste’, in your garden.

The whole breakfast can work as compost, so before throwing away leftover fruit or coffee grounds, give it a second thought. This drink will not only give you the energy you need to start a new day, but now it will also be your ally to fertilize your plants, and create a natural pesticide.

You may have already heard of the many different uses that can be made of coffee grounds in everyday life, such as deodorizing the refrigerator, maintaining its pipes, or even cleaning the chimney, but did you know that the garden has multiple uses as well? In this article, we will show you 15 different ways to use coffee grounds in the garden.

What is the Composition of Coffee Grounds?

The coffee grounds are what is left in the filter of the coffee maker after running water on them to make your little black gold. This residue is composed mainly of nitrogen but has components of phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and copper. These elements are beneficial for both the soil and the plantations.

How to Get Coffee Grounds

To obtain a stable coffee supply, please maintain a good relationship with your local coffee distributor. Many coffee shops provide free coffee grounds in special packaging (such as Starbucks, Black Rock, & Dutch brothers). If they don’t, ask if they can do it especially for you. Most coffee stands will most likely be happy to give you their grounds. If you don’t drink much coffee, you can collect residues from your office lounge, grocery deli, or possibly your local restaurants particularly breakfast places (I.H.O.P., Elmers, Dennys).

15 Ways to Use Coffee Grounds in the Garden

A Compost Activator

If you have a composting bin, called a vermicomposter, to sort your organic or other waste, consider incorporating the coffee grounds into it. Putting coffee grounds in your compost will enrich it with the various minerals it contains such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and copper, but not limited to these.

Also, when buying coffee filters, opt for ones that are unbleached because they are biodegradable and often cheaper. They will therefore be able to go without problem in the compost while the laundered ones will only add to your trash of non-recyclable waste.

Regularly fertilizing with compost, mixing the coffee with the soil and other organic remains can completely reduce the need for conventional fertilizers.

A Feed for Worms

We all know that worms are a welcome sight in gardens because they are really pivotal to working the soil. The main ingredient in coffee is caffeine, and its stimulating virtues in humans are well documented. But we are not the only fans of this soothing effect, the earthworms will do anything for a swing or two.

They enjoy it and it boosts their activity. Earthworms are especially fond of it because it helps them digest the organic matter in your compost pile. Therefore, adding coffee grounds to your compost will allow a faster, and above all, more complete degradation.

Note: Since caffeine is the primary stimulant of interest for our slithering friends, decaffeinated coffee will not produce similar results.

Earthworms like coffee but only in minimal quantity. If you go overboard, the worms could die due to the inability to digest that much coffee acidity.

Hence, do not put more than one small cup of coffee a week in the soil of your garden, so that the worms survive.

Balance Soil pH

Due to their acidic content, coffee grounds can help balance the pH of overly alkaline soil. If you’re not sure what the pH level of your soil is, you can pick up a pH meter like this one. It will also show you the moisture level of you soil as well as the incoming light level.

Suppress Weed

There is a popular conception that fresh coffee grounds have some allopathic components, which are known for stifling plant growth. Therefore, they might become handy in suppressing the growth of weeds. This theory has however not been scientifically validated.

Nitrogenize the earth

A good alternative to nitrogen fertilizers, coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, since they are derived from processed seeds. Its proportion of around ten percent is ideal for enriching the earth with nitrogen, which will be of great help for the growth of plants, their flowering, and, in the case of having a garden, also their fruits.

An Odor Absorber

If you deal with plants like garlic or onions in the garden, you should be familiar with the very pungent smell left on your hands which are very difficult to wash off. Coffee grounds can be very useful in this case, as they eliminate bad odor. Just rub them with coffee grounds and rinse.

Maintain Natural Plant Color                         

Coffee grounds are an excellent natural coloring. With its slight acidity, it is perfect for hydrangeas to help strengthen their blue coloring, as well as for tomatoes. To get premium results, it is best to use coffee grounds with blueberries, cranberries, and citrus fruits. Other plants that benefit from it are camellia, garden saplings, rhododendrons, and virya.

Its pH of 6.2 allows you to modify the color of hydrangea to a magnificent bluish hue. So coffee grounds might just be the ingredient needed to turn your back garden into a Dr. Who-style experiment site.

To do this:

  • Spread the coffee grounds at the foot of the plant.

  • Lightly hoe the soil of the garden to mix well.

Aids Growth of Seedlings

Mix one part of this brown gold with one part of garden soil to obtain an ideal soil to germinate your seeds.

Thanks to a carbon-nitrogen ratio of 20 (one part nitrogen to 20 part carbon), coffee grounds are ideal. They are also especially good as they gradually release nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, rather than at a go, which could be overwhelming for the young plants.

A Natural Repellent against Pests

Many small animals can be harmful to the garden, such as aphids, slugs, snails, carrot flies, and ants. But don’t rule out cats, who especially love to dig up seedlings and do theirs do wherever they want. They have their place in nature but if they could leave our plantations alone, we would be very happy!

To ward off harmful insects and gastropods from your garden and thus preventing them from ravaging your plants and crops, coffee grounds will act in two ways. The first is due to its smell which some do not like and therefore prefer to go their way. The second comes from the fact that the coffee grounds have a granular consistency which is particularly unpleasant or even painful,  for snails and slugs, in particular, when they walk on them.

Beware of the rain which dilutes the coffee in the soil and therefore makes it less effective. After heavy rains, refresh your soil by sprinkling coffee grounds around your vegetable plants or flower beds.

Rabbits will also bypass flowers that use coffee grounds as mulch. As coffee grounds quickly decompose into the soil, they should be consistently refreshed once or twice a week to maintain their effectiveness as a repellent.

Still having issues with pests in your garden? Check this out.

 Natural Pest solutions

Coffee Grounds to Sand and Thaw Paths

Thanks to its acidity, coffee grounds make the floor less slippery, thereby effectively replacing salt which is not allies to plants.

Place it on the paths in the garden or around the house in winter in the event of snow, frost, or ice. It is both inexpensive and more environmentally friendly.

A Winter Soldier

Coffee grounds can also act as mulch for the feet of the most fragile plantations in winter. It protects them against falling temperatures naturally and free of charge.

Note: During sunny days, avoid using coffee grounds as a stand-alone cover, as they can form a waterproof shell when dry in the sun.

To Grow Mushrooms

Here is an amazing tip for growing mushrooms on your own. In a bag, slip coffee grounds and mycelium. Then put it in a dark, warm place for three weeks and then take it out to the light. Always maintain humidity in your mushroom crop and you will see them blossom in no time.

Perfume Your Garden

Use coffee to envelop your interiors and exteriors in a unique and beautiful scent. Stir a little coffee ground into melted beeswax, then place a wick in a jar. Pour the mixture into the jar to obtain a candle with a sweet scent of coffee … Ideal for your dinners on the terrace!

Growing Orchids

The favorite indoor flower of the French, the orchid is a plant with specific needs. Its substrate – or soil – must be rich in phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium, all of which coffee grounds bring! So don’t hesitate to use it.

A DIY Fertilizer

Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphate are found in most commercially available fertilizers, whether organic or chemical.

With the coffee grounds, you will therefore have a free and available fertilizer that will enrich your soil with the minerals and trace elements it needs. It will fertilize the soil by its slow degradation by gradually diffusing its benefits. So you will be eating your cake and having it, or more literally, drinking your coffee and having it.

Coffee grounds are therefore a natural and effective product, but they should not be abused, otherwise, you end up with the opposite of the expected effect.

Thus, to enrich the soil in your garden and/or your vegetable patch, it is recommended not to apply more than 500 grams of coffee grounds per square meter annually.

It is enough to sprinkle it in a thin layer directly on the ground, preferably where the flowers, fruits, and vegetables are planted.

Caution: Watch out for rainy days! Avoid dispersing your coffee grounds if drops of water are forecast in the weather because they will be diluted in the soil and the results will be reduced.

Preparing a liquid fertilizer: step by step

To prepare an effective and free homemade liquid fertilizer based on coffee grounds, simply mix everything you collect from the filter with 2 liters of water.

Stir well then let stand in the fridge for 2 days. After this, filter with a fine cloth. Your liquid coffee grounds fertilizer is now ready to water and feed your plants!

How to Store Coffee Grounds

Before wondering how to store coffee grounds, you should first learn how to collect them. The operation is simple but still requires a little patience. There is a risk of burning yourself if the grounds are taken directly into the filter after the coffee has been brewed. Therefore, it is best to wait until it has cooled down completely.

After this bridge is scaled, lay it out on a flat surface and let it air-dry. If you are in a hurry, you can put it in a not too hot oven, keeping a close eye and leaving the door ajar. The idea is to remove as much water as possible to minimize the risk of mold growth.

When your coffee grounds are dry, the preservation method will depend on when you plan to use them. For use within 10 days, place it in the refrigerator in a tightly closed box. Beyond that, it is best to store it in the freezer in a suitable bag. To thaw it, just take it out 2 to 3 hours before. Thank you for reading 15 Interesting Ways To Use Coffee Grounds In The Garden.

Are you trying to figure out a gift for that family member with the green thumb? We’ve got you covered.


Garden Pests, Gardening, Gardening How to

How Often Should You Mow Your Lawn

Posted on By Willy Green No Comments on How Often Should You Mow Your Lawn

 

How Often Should You Mow Your Lawn

It’s a question we often ask ourselves when looking out at the garden – just how often should you mow the lawn? Do I need to mow it today, or can I let it go a few more days? Will the grass grow better if I let it grow a bit longer, or is it better to mow it short and often?

To get the perfect looking lawn there are some important rules that should be followed if you want to make your neighbors envious of your lush green garden.

How frequently you mow the grass is the main factor in creating a perfect lawn. There are, of course, other factors that will help, but mowing is way up at the top of the list.

But before we rush out and power up the mower let’s look at some important preparations that need to be done first.

BEFORE YOU MOW

Mower blades need to be sharp. Using dull, rusty blades will tear and rip out the grass. This will damage or even remove the roots and leave the lawn thin and bare in patches. Get the blades professionally sharpened or have a go yourself, but get them nice and sharp. You can use a blade sharpener like this if you don’t already have one. This set is currently available for $9.99.

This will help get a cleaner cut, chopping off the top of the grass and allowing it to thicken up at the bottom. It will grow outwards across the dirt and create a thicker, lusher lawn.

Blade height is also important. The grass looks best at a height between 1 and 2 inches. The height you choose is up to you. If you like to practice your golf putting you will want it really short, but if you like the feel of cool grass on your bare feet then leave it a bit longer.

All mowers have a blade height adjustment, usually on both the front and back wheels. Test the height on a bit of lawn to get the right setting, and don’t forget to make sure the back setting is the same as the front, and that both sides of the mower are the same level. This is easy to miss and will lead to an uneven cut.

Also Read; ​Best Hearing Protection for Lawn Mowing

The Best Gardening Gloves

How Short To Cut Grass Before Winter?​​​

HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE MOW?

So now we are all set and ready to mow, let’s get to the important bit – how often should we get out there and cut the grass?

Well, despite what some people will tell you, there is no fixed rule. We are dealing with a natural, living plant and it will grow very differently in Portland than it will in Vegas. When you think about it, it’s obvious, it all depends on how quickly your grass grows!

The aim is to cut a third of the height off the grass each time you mow. This will keep enough green on the plant to stay healthy and encourage root growth. If the grass cannot grow up, it will grow outwards, making it thicker and helping cover the ground.

Work out how long you like your grass to be, and how quickly your grass grows, this will determine how often you mow.

A very general rule would be about once a week. This fits in well with those who work during the week and only get into the yard at the weekends and it works well with most people’s lawns. This could stretch out to once every two weeks if your grass grows slowly, or increase to twice a week if you get plenty of sun and rain and like a well-kept garden.

If you are trying to tame an overgrown jungle of a lawn do not be tempted to set the mower onto the lowest setting and get it all cut down at once. You should stick to the ‘one third’ rule. Set the blade height to cut one third and mow. Allow the grass to recover for a week and then mow another third off. Continue until you have the desired height. This method will not ‘shock’ the grass and allows it to get used to its new, reduced size in between mowing.

Regular mowing of a third at a time will make the grass grow your lawn will thank you for your patience!

If you get a  hot, dry period, leave the grass to grow a little longer than usual to allow it to retain more moisture, it will look greener this way and will help prevent browning or yellowing of the grass.

In arid areas or dry periods, it is a good idea to leave the mowing scattered on the lawn rather than collected in the box. It may not look so good but the mowing will act as a mulch and help keep moisture in the earth. The clippings will soon decompose and disappear.

Try to avoid mowing when the grass is very wet. The cut grass will stick to the blades making them blunt, the wet grass will rip out the ground easier so you will lose some roots, and the wet grass sticks to the underneath of the mower and makes it a real chore to clean.

Most of us will find a balance between our desire for an amazing lawn, and the time and energy we are actually prepared to put into working on it. There is no doubt that your lawn is a perfect example of the saying ‘the more you put into it, the more you get out of it’. If you water, fertilize, do some spot weed control and mow regularly, you will be rewarded with a lush, green blanket of grass that will be the envy of the neighborhood.

Also Read;

​Best D​ump Cart for Lawn Tractor

Top ten gifts for gardeners

Basic Hydroponics​​​

CONCLUSION

So, what have we learned? How often you mow your lawn will depend on a number of factors: how quickly your grass grows, how frequently you can get out to mow it, and whether you are taming a jungle or encouraging growth from a dry, brown, patchy area that should be a lawn!

Just remember to mow regularly using the ‘one third at a time’ rule, water the lawn in dry periods and feed it with nutrients if you need to. Try to avoid mowing when wet, and keep your mower blades as sharp as possible.

This approach should reward you with a beautiful lawn worthy of the White House itself!

 


 

 

Gardening How to, Lawn Care, Lawn Care Basics, Lawn Grass, Lawn Tools

How To Fertilize Your Garden

Posted on By Willy Green No Comments on How To Fertilize Your Garden



 

How To Fertilize Your Garden

When we think of how we want our garden to look and feel, we often have pictures in our heads of vegetables and herbs at harvest that is more than we had ever hoped for. And for the most part, that is not an unrealistic expectation, but there are some things that we need to do so that we can turn that image into reality. One of those things is to fertilize our garden consistently and correctly. Maybe your don't know exactly how to fertilize your garden? That is ok because we are going to go over everything that you will need to do to fertilize your garden correctly so that your plants get all of the nutrition that they want and need, but not so much that we actually cause damage to our crops.

The soil needs to be healthy to help promote solid root development especially in the early stages of growth. Before you ever plant a seed, you will want to thoroughly till your soil and remove any yard debris and roots. You want your soil to be clean of everything other than soil!

SOIL TYPE

It's important to know what type of soil you are working with. Specifically, it's important to know what minerals are in your soil so that you can adjust it accordingly. One way to figure out exactly what is in your soil is with a soil test kit. They are inexpensive and you get the results right away. This will give you a head start on the growing season as you will have the soil exactly where it needs to be so that you can have bigger crops than ever.

Also Read: ​5 Tips on How to Till Your Garden Properly (Simple and Effective)​​​

FERTILIZING YOUR GARDEN

HOW TO FERTILIZE YOUR GARDEN

 

Fertilizing your garden is a process that is necessary, but not compulsory. For someone to add fertilizer to his/her garden is dependent on the soil type, soil texture, soil physical properties, soil depth of the plant crop type, atmospheric weather of the area etc. Fertilizers are the chemical outputs that are produced which consist of many nutrients to help the plants in our garden grow to their full potential. The most common of these chemical outputs are the Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K).

What exactly do those N.P.K. numbers mean? When you go to purchase any fertilizer, you will see three numbers on the container. They are always listed in the order of N.P.K.

  • N stands for nitrogen. This is the nutrient that helps with growths of the leaves and stems. Adding nitrogen will really get everything growing faster. It’s always great for leafy vegetable. It's the leafy part that we’re after in vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, kale, etc. Some plants will use more nitrogen in the early stages of growth while other plants will use more as you get further along in the growing season. Do your research on your specific plants so you know that you are giving them the proper amounts of nitrogen at the correct time of the growing cycle.

  • P stands for phosphorus. This nutrient is valuable for developing flowers and fruit—plus, it helps roots take quickly to the soil around them. If you’re frustrated by lots of leaves and stems developing on your fruiting crops like pumpkin or tomatoes—but with no fruit in sight—you may need a little boost of phosphorus. Again, if you do your research on what your specific plants want, then you will know exactly what to give them.

  • K stands for potassium. Potassium promotes healthy root systems and helps the plants resist disease. It also works alongside the phosphorus in developing fruit. You’ll notice it’s importance if you’re growing root crops such as turnips, carrots, or stuff like that.

Fertilizers have a high holding water capacity which helps to improve the state of the soil and also has a high ability to hold nutrients in the soil, therefore as the fertilizers decay over time in the soil, the nutrients required from it is released for the development of the crop. You are expected to consistently apply fertilizers on your garden.

METHODS OF APPLYING FERTILIZERS ON YOUR GARDEN

HOW TO FERTILIZE YOUR GARDEN

There are many different methods that can be used to apply fertilizer to your garden. Here are some of those methods.

By applying it unvarying and conforming to one standard throughout the whole garden: This method is commonly adopted by most people in order to have a uniform application of fertilizer on their garden.

  • By applying the solution around the plant in form of a circle in the garden.

  • By applying fertilizers with the process of creating a hole and inserting the fertilizers below the soil surface that are expected to be about 2-3" deep.

  • By applying the solution on the crop immediately after the sudden uprising of the crop planted.

  • This method of application is done by adding fertilizer via the leaves of the plant by spraying the solution on the leaves.

Related: ​Best Tow Behind Sprayer​​​

Purpose of fertilizing a garden

There are the different purpose of applying fertilizer to one’s garden, but these are the main reasons

  • To incite the quick growth and stimulates the flourishing of the crops planted in the garden.

  • It helps to create the capacity for the crop to resist diseases and seedling diseases.

  • It also helps to shoot up the quality of the seed of the plant.

  • It also helps in increasing the strength of the stalk of a plant.

  • It also helps in increasing the value of root formation.

  • To help in the formation of Chlorophyll and the function of chlorophyll in the plant is to help take in light in order for it to be transferred throughout the plant during the process of photosynthesis.

  • To help in hastening the ripeness or maturity of the crop.

  • Fertilizers also help in regulating the take up of more nutrients in the plant.

  • Soil fertility.

The benefits of fertilization quickly makes us see that this really is a necessity. Prepare your soil before you plant, fertilize during the growing season, and fertilize again after the harvest so that next season you will be ahead of the game.   Hopefully now you have a better understanding of how to fertilize your garden.

FURTHER READING

 


Gardening, Gardening How to

How to Prepare Your Lawn for Spring

Posted on By Willy Green 1 Comment on How to Prepare Your Lawn for Spring



 

How to Prepare Your Lawn for Spring

Now that you are saying goodbye to winter and welcoming spring, your lawn care is an aspect you must keep in mind. Without preparing your lawn for spring, you could suffer serious losses. weeds, and stressed by hot temperatures or drought could overtake your lawn totally damaging the exterior decor of your home.

The good news is that you can avoid all these problems and maintain a healthy, vibrant and serene lawn by following a few easy tips.

Assess the Lawn and Clear the Messes

The first thing to do when the frost has succumbed to puddle hood is to go out to your garden and inspect the damage winter frost has done on your lawn. Pay attention to fallen branches, dead leaves as well as other debris. Clear them away to allow you to carry out a general inspection of your lawn, soil, trees, shrubs as well as other garden structures.

Check the grass type that comes back or has died altogether. Get rid of fallen tree limbs. In case they are lying on the ground dangerously, avoid taking unnecessary risks by contacting an arborist. If you do this correctly, you will have a head start on the plan of action to adopt.

Wake Your Grass by Raking

You know what animals do during winter; they tend to hunker down due to the dark, cold winter days. Your grass is not an exception. You will need to wake them up to jump-start them for the spring. As soon as you notice the snow fading, take your garden rake and vigorously rake your grass in order to wake them up and put them on the path of growth.

Pay attention to areas of dead, dried grass that is often thick and deep. Ensure you remove them completely. Such thatch will keep sunlight and oxygen from the plants and grass underneath. Furthermore, the thatch may form a nidus for the growth of fungus and mold. If you encounter a snow mold (a gray or pinkish web over matted grass blades), just rake it out gently and let it dry.

Do Thorough Weeding

Weeds are terrible at interfering with even an excellently maintained lawn. One of the most important lawn preparations for spring is weeding. The most notorious weed on most lawns is crabgrass. It can be terrible and difficult to control without using the right technique. The best way to control it is to remove it at their time. You will do well by removing them before they get the chance to germinate.

Remember crabgrass begins to grow when soil temperatures hit 55 degrees. It important that you use pre-emergent crabgrass control before the soil achieves this temperature reading. Crabgrass is not the only weed you need to be concern about. Carry out thorough weeding and remove anything you consider a weed before spring begins.

Apply​ the Right Fertilizer

HOW TO FERTILIZE YOUR GARDEN

Just before spring begins and after doing the above things, apply a suitable lawn fertilizer. You can go for an organic fertilizer because they are very and potent. A good advice is to combine the fertilizer with the above-discussed pre emergent and herbicide. Most lawn-care brands tend to offer this combination in order to make lawn management easy and reduce the cost.

Trim Shrubs and Trees

Where necessary, you should trim shrubs and trees just before spring. Dead tree branches and shrubs around your garden may interfere with the growth of your lawn. It requires some skill to do the trimming. If you are not sure you can do it well then employ the services of a professional. If you have flowering shrubs, tarry until the shrubs start to flower then do the trimming to prevent destroying limbs and branches that would produce fruits or flowers.

Ready Your Mower and Other Stuff

During the long, cold and dark days of winter, elements might have damaged garden furniture and other elements such as lighting, irrigation systems. Remember to fix any broken patio furniture as well as other structures made of wood. Take time to tune-up your string trimmer and lawn mower. Clean, sharpen and then oil your shears to make ready them when the temperatures have improved enough for mowing, trimming and pruning to be done.

Also Read: Best Lawn Mower Lifts

Natural Pest solutions

Will Grass Seed Grow If I Just Throw It Down?

How To Fertilize Your Garden

How to Get Rid of Ants

Conclusion

If you follow the above tips, chances are that you will have a nice, healthy and admirable in spring. Preparing your yard will take you more than a weekend but it will save you from spending too much money in lawn management by hiring a professional. If you were not certain that you could do it, then I would recommend that you hire the services of a professional landscaper.

 


Gardening How to, Lawn Care, Lawn Care Basics
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