Chemical fertilizers
Are fertilizers in gardening necessary?
What do fertilizers contain?
The most commonly used fertilizers in our gardens
In what form are fertilizers most often found?
Are fertilizers in gardening necessary?
Everyone who had a duty to take care of the garden knows perfectly well how much work needs to be put in to make it look aesthetically pleasing. Mechanical work alone, such as removing weeds, mowing the grass, watering plants or pruning shrubs, is not enough. Beautiful plants for healthy plants. So let’s make sure that the elements support the soil in which they grow, and the desired effect will be obtained for longer. Fertilizers in gardening are products that small and large gardeners should be familiar with. Investing in artificial fertilizers is simple when we operate in the horticultural sector for our own species and cultivation, and the distribution of plants is our source of origin. The earth itself supplies our plants with water and minerals. However, it should be remembered that the amount of these components depends on the soil class. The higher the class, the greater the need to provide it with additional elements that will nourish the bushes or flowers. So what are artificial fertilizers? We commonly call them “mineral fertilizers”, and these are chemical compounds that provide the soil with elements in the appropriate data for plant species. Elements provide nutrients that improve their chemical and physical condition.
What do fertilizers contain?
Before we choose the right fertilizer for our plants, let’s analyze the composition of specific products. The basic division of nutrients contained in each fertilizer is the division into micro and macro elements. Plants need micronutrients in small amounts, while macronutrients require relatively more. Selected fertilizers usually differ in proportions of specific elements. So, depending on the demand for nutrients by a particular plant, let’s choose an adequate fertilizer. Let’s do it consciously so as not to harm our crops. The most important elements contained in artificial fertilizers are:
- potassium – which is responsible for the proper water management in plants and makes the plant resistant to both drought and frost. Its deficiency can be recognized by yellow leaves.
- nitrogen – an element that affects plant growth and fertility. The presence of pale green leaves indicates a deficiency of this nutrient;
- phosphorus – its deficiency can be verified after observing purple shades on the stems, as well as after the weakened root system of plants. This component is responsible for the proper course of the photosynthesis process and metabolism in plants;
Important macronutrients include: magnesium (a component of chlorophyll), calcium and sulfur. Among the microelements contained in fertilizers, we distinguish: chlorine, boron, copper, molybdenum, iron and zinc.
The most commonly used fertilizers in our gardens
Due to the demand for certain elements by plants, we distinguish several groups of fertilizers. Among the most popular are:
- nitrogen fertilizers – including nitrate, ammonium, nitrogen-amide and ammonium nitrate. They make our plants grow leaves quickly;
- phosphorus – improving the health of the plant and supporting the effect of fertilizers mentioned above;
- potassium – among them we distinguish chloride and sulphate mixtures. The latter – also called potassium nitrates – are more often used in vegetable crops such as tomatoes or cucumbers and in crops exposed to too much chlorine in the soil.
- magnesium – we should use them mainly in the cultivation of greenhouse vegetables and ornamental plants. We give them in the form of magnesium sulfate. This compound quickly eliminates magnesium and sulfur deficiencies, and its advantage is good solubility and thus bioavailability.
- calcium – these fertilizers, due to the content of calcium carbonates or oxides, help acidified soil to obtain the desired pH. Of course, we should not use this type of fertilizer when we have the right reaction of the soil in our garden.
Microfertilizers have also become quite popular, thanks to which we can provide plants with ingredients that are not needed much, but their development depends on them. Compound fertilizers have gained favor among owners of small plots, due to the convenience of their use. Such fertilizers provide the right dose of many necessary nutrients for plants.
In what form are fertilizers most often found?
There are many types of fertilizers available on the market: granular, liquid or in powder and crystalline form. Remember to apply them in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Loose and granular fertilizers are usually spread over the top layer of soil. Liquid and crystalline, on the other hand, we dissolve in water and water our crops. It is worth knowing that in addition to checking the pH level, we should also take care of professional soil analysis. This will help us verify its class, and thus determine its possible deficiencies.
