FERTILIZING BASICS
By Trey Pitsenberger, co-owner Golden Gecko

Along with water, air, and soil, plants need nutrients to survive. When plants have the other ingredients but not nutrients, they may survive, but often will not thrive. Plants will also be more susceptible to pests and disease. In the foothills people will often find that the plants they have grown will be come stunted and not put on the growth that they have expected when the soil is deficient in nutrients.

There are three nutrients that are most vital to plants-nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). These are the macronutrients. There are other nutrients called micronutrients. These would include iron, zinc, copper, sulfur, boron, and manganese. The numbers listed on fertilizer labels, such as 16-16-16, are the macronutrients. They are always listed in the same order, N-P-K. Because our soil is deficient in decomposing organic matter, and little or no rainfall in the growing season, nitrogen is in short supply. Lack of nitrogen will cause plants to have yellow leaves, and reduced growth. Nitrogen can be added to the soil and used quickly by the plant. Phosphorus and potassium are needed by plants to form healthy root systems and plant structure. They also help plants to flower. Phosphorus is especially beneficial to apply to our plants in the foothills, as our soil is naturally deficient in that nutrient. Unlike nitrogen, which once it is applied easily works its way to the deeper parts of the soil and roots, phosphorus and potassium tend to stay in the top layers of soil where they are unable to be utilized by plant roots. This is why you should always incorporate into the soil before planting a good pre-plant fertilizer. That way the roots will be able to benefit quickly from the nutrients.

Fertilizers are categorized into organic and inorganic types. Organic fertilizers are often derived from natural by-products. Compost, manure, bat guano, blood meal, bone meal, cottonseed meal, alfalfa meal, kelp meal, and fishmeal are some of the more common types of organic fertilizers. Many organic fertilizers have only one macronutrient in them. Bat Guano sometimes has a listing of 13-0-0, meaning it only has nitrogen available in it.

In-organic fertilizers can include types that have an herbicide in them, such as weed and feed for the lawn. Plants absorbing nutrients through there root systems cannot tell the difference between organic and in-organic fertilizer. The choice of what type to use is a personal one.

Whichever type of fertilizer you choose, it is important to use them according to the label instructions. Use too much fertilizer and you can burn the roots of plants, and even kill them. When in doubt use a little less than recommended. Plants that do a lot of growing all season, like vegetables, and flowers, need regular feeding throughout their lives. Shrubs and trees that do most of their growing in the spring generally need a couple of applications during that time, and not later. Lawns like to be fed when they are growing actively, spring and fall.

Plants will give the most growth and be most healthy if you make sure to add a starter fertilizer high in phosphorus at planting time. Then add a good general-purpose fertilizer on a regular basis throughout the growing season. Liquid types, granular types, timed released, organic, in-organic, the choice is yours. Keep you plants healthy with proper watering and regular fertilizing.