How To Fertilize Vegetable Garden In Just 2 Basic Ways

How to fertilize vegetable garden: Timely fertilizing the vegetable garden is very important for proper growing of vegetables. You should apply manure and fertilizer in a proper way so that plant can take it easily. In this article, we’ll know the methods/ways of application of fertilizer in a vegetable garden.

How to fertilize vegetable garden

Manure for vegetable garden

Manure may be defined as the materials of organic origin which on application to the soil can improve soil health and contains one or more essential plant nutrients. E.g; cowdung, mustard oil cake, etc.

Importance of manuring

• They supply a considerable amount of nutrients necessary for plant growth and development.
• Improve soil physical structure and texture.
• Add organic matter to the soil to improve the water holding capacity of the soil.
• They increase the aeration of the soil.
• Increase the microbial activity.

Types of manure

• Farmyard manure
• Green manure

Fertilizer for vegetable garden

Any chemical substances which are used to supply one or more essential plant nutrients are known as fertilizer. E.g. TSP, MP, Urea, etc. Before applying the fertilizers, you should test on soil to know available nutrients present into the soil.

Importance of fertilizer

• Through the increase of yield of the use of fertilizer decrease the cost of production.
• It requires less equipment and to supply per kg of materials than manure.
• It contains a higher amount of available plant nutrient.
• It can be available in any amount.

Methods/ways of fertilizer application

1. Application of fertilizer in solid form;

• Broadcasting
• Placement
• Localized placement

2. Application of fertilizer in liquid form;

• Starter solution
• Foliar application or spray fertilization
• Direct application to the soil
• Application through irrigation water

1. Application of fertilizers in solid form

A. Broadcasting

In broadcasting the fertilizer is spread over the entire soil area to be treated with the main objectives of distributing the whole quantity of fertilizer evenly and uniformly. This may be done before the land is brought immediately before planting or while the crop is standing. Broadcasting has two types;

• Broadcasting at planting
• Top dressing

B. Placement

In this method, fertilizers are placed in the soil irrespective of the position of seed, seedling or growing plants before sowing or after sowing. it is of the following types;

• Plough sole placement
• Deep placement
• Subsoil placement

C. Localized placement

This method refers to the application of fertilizers into the soil close to the seed or plant. The fertilizers are placed along with or close to the seed or plants in bands or pockets so that the young plants can get nutrients as per their requirements. Localized placement reduced the fixation of phosphorus and potassium. it can be divided into;

Contact placement or combined drilling drill placement

Band placement

• Till placement
• Row placement

Side dressing

• Spot placement
• Basin placement

Pellet application

2. Application of fertilizers in liquid form

Liquid form of fertilizers are applied by the following materials.

A. Starter solution

A solution of fertilizer generally consisting of N: P2O5:K2O in the ratio of 1:2:1 or 1:1:2 are applied to the base of the vegetable seedlings after transplanting instead of only watering. It helps rapid establishment and quick early growth of seedlings.

B. Foliar application

Spraying of suitable fertilizer solution having a low concentration on leaves of growing plants is called foliar application. It has been well established that all plant nutrients are absorbed through leaves of plants and the absorption is remarkably rapid.

C. Direct application to the soil

liquid fertilizer such as anhydrous ammonia (a liquid under high pressure up to 200 lbs per square inch or more) and nitrogen solution are directly applied to the soil with the special injecting equipment. Plant injury or wastage of ammonia is very little If the material is applied about four inches below the seed.

D. Application through irrigation water

Fertilizers which are easily soluble in water are allowed to dissolve in the irrigation water and applied to the soil irrigation. The nutrients are thus carried into the soil in solution.