Luster Leaf Rapitest NPK and pH Soil Test My raised beds are new, and they are filled with a garden mix of topsoil, peat moss, and compost.īut as I have a lot of plants competing for nutrients every day, I decided to get a soil test kit to help me understand the nutrient balance of the soil I’m working with. This will determine the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the soil, as well as its pH level. If you have a chance before sowing seeds or transplanting seedlings to your garden, it’s smart to conduct a soil test. You’ll see why it’s important to understand these numbers in just a moment.Ĭheck out this guide to learn more about plant nutrients, what they need, and when they need it. In a 9-12-12, you’ve got 9 percent nitrogen, 12 percent phosphorus, and 12 percent potassium. The letters come from the periodic table of elements, and the three numbers represent the ratio of each element contained in the fertilizer – and the overall percentage of each element.įor example, a 10-10-10 (NPK) fertilizer contains 10 percent of each element. Let’s take the general-purpose balanced fertilizer 10-10-10 (NPK) and break it down.įirst, know that the three numbers each have an invisible tether connecting them to one of the letters, in the order of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K). While there are many nutrients that plants need in various quantities in order to thrive, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the three most important macronutrients.īut just looking at the three numbers on fertilizer packets used to make me want to scream.įor those of you who are like me, just know that these numbers and letters aren’t as confusing as they might seem. The Three Steps of Pumpkin Fertilization.You’ve got one sweet summer to get the fertilization right. Unlike apple trees, pumpkins ( Cucurbita pepo) aren’t perennials. I’ll have to wait until next year to rectify the damage, and simply enjoy the green growth this year.īut since this is an article about pumpkins – which you can read more about in this growing guide – let’s talk gourds. The excess nitrogen from the lawn fertilizer has caused the trees to produce a lot of leafy growth, but no flowers – or fruit. I fertilized them with a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus fertilizer in April without measuring the quantity.Īnd then I also applied a high-nitrogen grass food to the lawn around the trees. The others are alive and robust… too robust. This year, sadly, only two of the trees bloomed. For those first two summers, they bloomed and produced fruit – even after heavy pruning following a moose attack.
Two years ago when I moved into my little red house in Alaska, I planted three apple trees. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products.
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