desertgirl
Garden Ornament
Many of the things I have read recommend "side dressing with nitrogen" for various plants. Could soeone explain this to me?:/
Side dressing
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RDRANCH
Chillin' In The Garden
I believe they are talking about using a fertilizer or good compost along the sides of the plant where the roots are spreading away from the plant.
The key is to get it where the roots are and where the roots going to be as the plant matures. It also refers to adding nutrients near the ends of the roots so you don't damage or disturb them by cultivating the soil right next to the plant stem.
The key is to get it where the roots are and where the roots going to be as the plant matures. It also refers to adding nutrients near the ends of the roots so you don't damage or disturb them by cultivating the soil right next to the plant stem.
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desertgirl
Garden Ornament
Right. So I dig a hole next to the roots and stuff chicken poo in it?:/
obsessed
Deeply Rooted
Not so much of a hole. More of a disturb the soil a little bit from the drip line of the plant and then apply your choice fertilizer. If it is chicken poop I am going to assume that you have composted most of it and it is not fresh (because that would burn your plants). If it is a compost type thing verses a chemical fertilizer then you could just plop compost around your plant and you should be good. If it is blood meal for example then do the disturb thing.
I think you do the sfg right? SO I would lightly disturb the soil around the plant and then put ur compost. I add compost through the growing season and I have no problems. For your high nitrogen items like peppers I do the disturb.
I think you do the sfg right? SO I would lightly disturb the soil around the plant and then put ur compost. I add compost through the growing season and I have no problems. For your high nitrogen items like peppers I do the disturb.
RDRANCH
Chillin' In The Garden
Great explanation. Sometimes (usually) my brain and fingers refuse to get along while typing.obsessed said:
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desertgirl
Garden Ornament
I am composting our chicken poo (along with our other "stuff"), so a little sprinkling of this black gold on top should do the trick. I'll stir things up a little for the peppers.
Thanks!!
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desertgirl
Garden Ornament
How often do you guys apply fertilizer (average). I am going to research specific's plant's needs, but about once a month is aveage, right?
Andy J
Chillin' In The Garden
Often,you side dress according to the type of plant and it's stage of growth.For instance,side dress corn when it is 8"-12" tall and again when the tassels appear.
Be careful!Too much fertilizer can kill your plants or cause them to grow a lot of foliage and not much fruit or produce.It is better to under fertilize than to over fertilize.
If possible,cover the fertilizer with soil to keep rain or irrigation from splashing the fertilizer on the plants,possibly burning them.
It also helps to have your soil tested so you will know exactly what type of fertilizer to use.If you haven't noticed,fertilizer is very expensive now,so you want to spend your money wisely.
Andy J
Be careful!Too much fertilizer can kill your plants or cause them to grow a lot of foliage and not much fruit or produce.It is better to under fertilize than to over fertilize.
If possible,cover the fertilizer with soil to keep rain or irrigation from splashing the fertilizer on the plants,possibly burning them.
It also helps to have your soil tested so you will know exactly what type of fertilizer to use.If you haven't noticed,fertilizer is very expensive now,so you want to spend your money wisely.
Andy J
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- #10
desertgirl
Garden Ornament
Great advice-thank you!
