VEGETABLE GARDEN:
FERTILIZNG THE GARDEN |
|
MG
Manual Reference
Ch.10, pp. 25 |
|
The amount of fertilizer to apply to a garden depends
on the natural fertility of the soil, the amount of organic matter
present, the type of fertilizer used, and the crop being grown.
The best way to determine fertilizer needs is to have the soil
tested. Information on soil testing and a list of testing
laboratories is available through your local Extension agent. Soil
test kits are of little value to gardeners in Arizona. Vegetables
fall into three main categories according to their fertilizer
requirements: heavy feeders, medium feeders, and light feeders. It
may be advantageous to group crops in the garden according to
their fertilizer requirements to make application easier. Refer to
table 10.1 for a listing of crops and their nutrient needs. For a
complete discussion of fertilizers, refer to Chapter 2, Soils and
Fertilizers. |
Table 10.1
PLANTS GROUPED ACCORDING TO NUTRIENT NEEDS
Heavy Feeders |
Light Feeders |
Asparagus |
Lettuce |
Carrot |
Alfalfa |
Beet |
Okra |
Garlic |
Beans |
Broccoli* |
Parsley |
Leek |
Clover |
Brussels sprouts* |
Pepper |
Mustard Greens |
Peas |
Cabbage* |
Potato |
Onion |
Peanut |
Cantaloupe* |
Pumpkin* |
Parsnip |
Soybeans |
Cauliflower |
Radish |
Rutabaga |
|
Celery |
Rhubarb |
Shallot |
|
Collard |
Spinach |
Sweet Potato |
|
Corn, Sweet* |
Squash, Summer* |
Swiss Chard |
|
Eggplant* |
Strawberry |
|
|
Endive |
Sunflower |
|
|
Kalle |
Tomato* |
|
|
Kohlrabi |
Watermelon* |
|
|
*Fertilize at least twice |
|