04

We all know the effects nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium has on plants. Do you know how to identify when the plants are lacking in these ingredients? Also there are trace elements that are necessary to the growth and production of plants that we sometimes do not take into consideration. I have made a list of nutrients that are essential to good plant growth, and how to identify the deficiency of these elements without a soil test.

Nitrogen / N and also the first number on fertilizers. If you have a deficiency of nitrogen you will notice the leaves turn light green to yellow and the growth of the plant will be stunted. You can also have too much nitrogen. This will show up as lush green leaves, excessive growth, and fruit dropping off. In other words, great looking plants but no fruit.

Phosphorus / P and also the second number on fertilizers. If you have a deficiency of phosphorus you will notice the leaves have a red or purple look to them. If you have to much phosphorus it can tie up other essential elements in the soil.

Potassium / K and also is the third number on fertilizers. If you have a deficiency of potassium you will have very reduced vigor in the plants. They will be more susceptible to disease and have small fruit with thin skin. To much potassium will reduce the intake of magnesium and calcium. The fruit will also be poor colored and coarse textured.

Calcium / Ca. A deficiency of calcium will show up in the growing points of the plants. They will shrivel up or turn brown.

Magnesium / Mg. The old leaves will turn white or yellow. Also the yield will be greatly reduced.

Sulfur / S. The growth will be stunted and the leaves will turn light green to yellow.

Boron /B. The leaves will be small, the heart tends to rot and the plant produces multiple buds.

Iron /Fe. The leaves turn yellow, but the veins will remain green. This is the one distinguishing mark of an iron deficiency.

Manganese /Mn. The leaves will be mottled with yellow and white, the growth will be severely stunted.

Zinc / Zn. The leaves will be very small, thin, and yellow. The yield will also be greatly reduced.

There are some quick fixes for these symptoms, but over the long run, you need to mix in green sand, sea weed, blood meals, cotton seed meals, or rotted chicken manure.

One important thing to remember is never substitute these signs for a soil test. You can spot the problems by using these guidelines, but remember they are only guidelines. Invest in a soil testing kit, or take soil samples to your county extension agent and for a small fee he will have them tested for you. I like the kits only because you can get instant results.

The very best way to insure your garden has all the elements it requires to produce an abundance of vegetables is to supply it with a liberal amount of compost every spring before planting and again in the fall after harvest.

One inch of compost spread over the beds twice a year do wonders to keep up the fertility of your soil. When you make your compost pile, you can add the necessary elements directly to the pile, or you can add them when you place the compost on your garden beds.

Happy gardening

Byron Tumlinson

Cari-T Farm