Gord pumpkin11/6/2023 ![]() ![]() To do this, amend the soil with peat moss or granular sulfur. If you find that the soil is too acidic (below pH 5.5), amend with compost if it’s not too far below 5.5, or you can add lime if your soil is really low on the pH scale.įor soil with a pH above 7.5, you’ll need to make it more acidic and less alkaline. Pumpkins require a soil pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Many soil tests (including the one that I purchased from Arbico) also come with a pH testing option. That way, you’ll have a solid foundation for your gourds. Make sure you amend your soil with compost, well-rotted manure, or a general-purpose balanced fertilizer before you plant. The test results will give you a basic understanding of your soil before you add any nutrients or amendments to it.īut if you don’t have the means to do a soil test, that’s okay too. I’m too curious not to try it now nonetheless, even though we’re halfway through the summer here in Alaska! I should have done this before planting anything in my raised bed, but alas, I did not. You can also conduct a soil test via your local agricultural extension office. I had a question during the ordering process, and was delighted that a customer service representative at Arbico Organics answered right away and helped me place the order. I ordered my at-home soil test, the Luster Leaf Rapitest NPK and pH Soil Test, from Arbico Organics. 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.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |