[CH] Fertilizer Application Rates
T. Matthew Evans (tmattevans@yahoo.com)
Mon, 19 Apr 2004 10:25:57 -0700 (PDT)
OK, so I know I should get a soil test, but please don't berate me for not
having one. That said....
I typically just throw down "some" fertilizer (13-13-13) before I till and then
occasionally throughout the growing season. I also water with Miracle Gro on
the rare occasions that I water the garden. In general, I adhere to the old
Southern tradition of "do what your Daddy did" and "when in a new location,
always ask the oldest gardener in the neighborhood".
This has served me well in the past until last year. While my chiles seemed no
worse for the wear, my tomato plants were somewhat anemic, never reaching their
full, beautiful, bushy potential. I am convinced that the problem is related
to my mulching practices -- I place about 4 inches of shredded mulch on my
garden every spring (I don't like to weed) and then turn it in at the end of
the season (I badly need the organic matter). Over the course of a few years,
I believe that this has caused a nitrogen shortage (nitrogen is needed to break
down the carbon-rich mulch).
So this winter (February), I put down about one cubic yard of well-composted
horse manure and five pounds of urea (for my 1000-ft^2 garden, this translates
to 98 lb N/ac from urea). I also added lime and gypsum, as mulch tends to
lower the pH of the soil to levels too low for even tomatoes and chiles. This
has helped to break down some of the brown materials in my garden.
I am tilling every night this week in anticipation of planting on Saturday and
wanted to ask -- does anyone have a good "rule of thumb" number for N-P-K
application rates for tomatoes and chiles? While I'm at it, how long before
planting do you fertilize? How often after planting?
In general, I'd like to hear about fertilizing practices from some of you as I
think this is a crucial part of the equation.
Thanks in advance.
Matt
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