Home Gardening Tips

Applying fertilizer in your garden or lawn should be based on the most suitable technique. There are  several such techniques available. I would prefer to share only four most common techniques that you must know.

Broadcasting

Broadcasting is not just limited to the radio. It applies to the gardening as well. Spreading of fertilizer over the growing area in your garden or lawn with a pre-determined rate is the first stage of broadcasting. This controlled spread is then left open so that the fertilizer filters in to the soil slowly .You can apply a tiller or a spade as well if required.

Fertilizer Banding  

Fertilizers are applied in narrow bands. These are basically furrows. Fertilizers must be applied 2.5-inches from garden seeds, and 1.5-inches deeper than the seeds or plants. Applying fertilizer band quite closer to the seeds or plants would certainly result in to  an increased risk of burning the root system.

Plants that are generally spaced widely, like tomatoes, the fertilizer band may be even 6-inches long for each plant. You may also consider encircling-band around the plant as well. In any case the fertilizer band must be at least 4-inches away from the plant.

Fertilizer banding is one of the best methods of supplementing phosphorus (P) directly to the plant and it helps in developing the first root. Concentration of phosphorus in bands is easily soaked by plants compared to the broadcasting.

Side-Dressing

This method is best for dry fertilizers specifically. Once the plants start growing and comes up firmly the fertilizer is spread in scattered manner on its both sides. There should be rows on both sides nearly 7-inches away from the plant. The fertilizer applied in this way should be raked well in the soil and water completely.

Foliar Feeding

It is the direct feeding of nutrients to the foliage. This one is the best way to facilitate maximum absorption of fertilizers. Gardeners use this method quite frequently. Subsequent to the application the absorption begins instantly. With almost complete absorption of nutrients the process gets over in a day or two.

Foliar feeding is one of most suitable methods for cold climate soils. In such a climatic condition dry fertilizer application techniques will never work efficiently as the rate of absorption is too slow. Foliar feeding is almost a critical care technique for plants.