Vegetable Garden Fertilizer
Vegetable garden question about fertilizer vs. planting soil??
My question would be this. I am staring my vegetable garden this weekend. However I don’t know which I should be using fertilizer or planting soil?? When I till the ground which of the two do I use to mix with the dirt? I am new to this whole idea and could use any helpful tips or advice.
Also should I use manure??
try this link
http://gardening-tips-idea.com/HowtoGrowVegetables.html
Vegetable Garden Fertilizer
Vegetable Gardening Problems
If you’ve ever attempted to start a vegetable garden, you probably know that there isn’t any lack of vegetable gardening problems. These can range from anything like insects, to bothersome rabbits and other herbivorous creatures, and to just overall inclement weather. Here’s a quick, general guide to many problems as well as possible solutions.
Getting plants to actually “grow” and continue to yield vegetables is one of the biggest problems among vegetable gardeners. Some vegetable gardening problems that contribute to less-than-favorable plants are high winds, general pests and parasites (especially insects), too much rain, and too little rain (without enough manual watering). Furthermore, the lack of sunlight, lack of nutritious soil, and general plant diseases all sometimes plague even the best-kept gardens.
It’s crucial to keep a watchful eye over a vegetable garden. Be observant of the many vegetable gardening problems and the symptoms of. Discolored foliage and plants that just seem weak can be the result of excessively wet soil that drains water ineffectively or soil that hasn’t been aerated enough for sustainable roots. Too much Fertilizer, while usually necessary, can become dangerous when too much is applied—salt poisoning is usually the result. Furthermore, even when the soil is properly watered and fertilized, insects and plant diseases can creep up. Finally, extreme temperatures usually stunt (or even terminate) growth and affect the yield of vegetables.
Companion planting: a solve-all?
Companion planting has been used for over a century to address various vegetable gardening problems. This is a gardening strategy where two or more types of plants are planted in close proximity to each other, for a number of reasons. Some gardeners use it to promote growth and/or obtain a higher output of food. Others [successfully] use it to stave off parasites like insects and mitigate things like plant diseases.
Another great reason to use the former strategy is characteristics of many plants that actually attract insects. Attract insects? ‘Aren’t we supposed to be getting rid of insects, not inviting them in?’ you’re probably asking. Good insects are the types that hunt common parasites like the notoriously bad caterpillars and leafhoppers. These “good” insects range from anything like parasitoid wasps, to the larvae of ladybugs, and to Robber flies. So if you have to use an insecticide (which, should be done very sparingly especially on food meant for human consumption), make certain that you’re not eliminating the good guys.
Make sure your vegetable plants get the proper nutrients
Additionally, vegetable plants need the right amount of minerals and nutrients. If the soil isn’t rich enough in them, then using a high-quality fertilizer is commonly employed. Plants have to have a variety of nutrients to stay healthy and vivacious. Some of the most important of these include: magnesium, nitrogen, calcium and potassium—among others.
Finally, make sure your garden is adequately watered (as this helps to transfer upper later nutrients to the roots further down) and has the correct pH level. Vegetable gardens generally need to be manually watered around once a week, but may need it twice or more if you live in an especially dry part of the country. As far as pH level testing, this is a whole lot easier to perform than you might think. Using a simple pH indicator (available practically anywhere plants/gardening tools or even chemistry sets are sold), place it in the soil. Let it set under the indicator is no longer fluctuating and observe. A favorable reading will be roundabout 6.5.—anymore acidic or alkaline and you likely experience additional vegetable gardening problems.
About the Author
Zack Wilson is an avid organic gardener, for more comprehensive information on how to
alternative gardens
visit my website where you will also find many articles on organic gardening, problems with gardening, easy steps to organic gardening, making money with your garden and much much more.
http://www.organicgardenallyear.com
Can I use my dogs droppings as fertilizer in my vegetable garden?
Well I have two Lab’s over 200lbs. worth of dog. And as you can imagine I have quite a bit of lawn brownies thanks to the beasts. I see that all kinds of dropping are used as fertilizers? Goat droppings, cow crap, Bat guano?? So what about pouch poo?
Thanks guys I thought it was a bad idea…But wasn’t sure why….hey that’s why we ask questions, to learn…TY!
Dog waste contains large amounts of bacteria such as Escherichia Coli (E.Coli) and Salmonella which are washed into waterways and oceans, causing contamination and potential human infections. Parasites such as Hookworm and Roundworm can live for years in soil where dog poo has been left to degrade, leading to further animal or human infection.
However dog poo can be made into a fertilizer using a worm farm.
http://www.ecostaurus.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=55
How to Fertilize Your Vegetable Garden