Last year the harvest yields weren't as desired? So quickly spread plenty of fertilizer on the beds in the spring and it will be fine this time. This is a fallacy, because garden soils are very different and require fertilizer doses that are optimized for the soil culture and substrate.
How should you fertilize your vegetable patch in spring?
In spring you should fertilize your vegetable patch according to the soil and plant needs. Organic fertilization with compost, horn shavings, green manure and mulching or manure is recommended. Moderate application avoids over-fertilization and improves plant growth.
Fertilization tailored to the soil
Before you fertilize in spring, you should take a close look at the soil in the vegetable patch:
- Clay soils are nutrient-rich and require slightly lower amounts of fertilizer.
- Calcareous soils are rather poor in nutrients and need to be enriched well.
- Sandy soils not only store little water, nutrients are also washed out. They need to be improved in spring with clay soil and fertilizers.
What nutrients do plants need?
Plants are not as demanding as you might think. They get by on three main nutrients:
| Nutrient | Description |
|---|---|
| Potassium | Provides resistance and stability. It strengthens the plant tissue and is responsible for many metabolic processes. |
| Nitrogen | The plants use this to build their proteins. Nitrogen is very important for he althy plant growth. |
| Phosphorus | This is crucial for flowering and fruit formation. It also helps regulate the energy balance. |
Vegetable plants also need trace elements such as iron, magnesium or sulfur.
Fertilize vegetable patch organically
Fertilizers made from grown or animal material that are incorporated or poured into the soil are ideal for this purpose. They supply bacteria and fungi that release valuable substances for plants when organic material decomposes.
Organic fertilizers include:
- Compost: It contains many nutrients and trace elements. Do not apply more than three liters per square meter, otherwise there is a risk of over-fertilization.
- Horn shavings and horn meal (€6.00 at Amazon): Universal, organic fertilizer. Primarily supplies nitrogen.
- Green manure and mulching: Soil organisms convert green manure and mulch in the vegetable bed into nutrients available to the vegetable plants.
- Jauchen: Provide a lot of nitrogen. They are very suitable for optimally supplying heavy eaters.
- Ready-made fertilizer: Various fertilizer mixtures cover the special needs of certain plants.
Mineral fertilizers
These are available as single or combination fertilizers. They are usually s alts that release nutrients when dissolved in water. However, the soil becomes impoverished when these fertilizers are administered alone.
How much do you fertilize in spring?
Fertilize moderately and in accordance with the soil in your vegetable garden. Over-fertilization should be avoided at all costs, as this inhibits the growth of plants.
Work fertilizer well into the soil with a rake or hoe. Then pour. Wait a few days before planting young plants.
Tip
In order to optimally supply the vegetable garden with nutrients, it is worth carrying out a soil analysis. Many soils are oversupplied and no longer need certain nutrients. This can be clearly determined through an analysis and you can tailor the fertilizer application perfectly to the needs of the vegetable plants.
