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WITBY FREE PRESS, OUTDOOR LIVING, MAY 4,1988, PAGE A5 Use of organie, inorganie fertilizers to enrich soit! ByVeroniva Colangelo Ail soul that is intensely cultivated for long periods of time gradually, loses its fertility. To restore the balance of the souls' nutritive content, it is necessary ta introduce appropriate additives. A number of elements are essential te the plant's well being. However, they do not need ta be present in equal amounts. Some are needed in large amounts, some in relatively tiny arnounts. The absence of one or, more though, however, can lead ta soul deficiency. The lements required by plants are oxygen, carbon, hydrogen (alI of which are obtained from air and water), nitrogen, phosphorous and1 potassium which are obtained from the sol. Required in smaller amounts are calcium, magnesium, iran and sulphur as well as other trace elements. We enrich aur soul with two typs of compounds --organic and inorganiic. They are usually used in coiijunction with one another. Organic materials have certain advantages: they are active fo+ a long periad of time in the soul, the plant absorbs the elements slowy, organic materials help màke the sou friable,that is, the particles stick together and formn a crumbly texture, te allow air pockets ta, develop and provide air ta the plant which is essential te its good, health. Organic fertilizers do not release certain elements quickly enough inta the soul and this is where inorganic fertilizers play their rôIe. Inorganic fertilizer are hià'hly concentrated and 'are ready for fast assimilation by the roots as soon as contact is made. It also bas the advantage that more than one element can be introduced at a time. The best way ta start is by combining bath types, of fertilizers, organic and inorgamic. Use organic compounds as a basic feed, supplemented by inorganic additives when certain elements are lacking. Horse and farmyard manure heads the list of the most widey used- organic fertilizers. Composted sheep and cattie manure is «readily available commercially. It's sterilized and therefore weed-free. The problem with taking manure from the farmn is that weed seeds that germin ate in the garden are very oftn an unwanted burden. AS Weil, if it's too fresh there is a risk of burning the plants. If you do have access te farm manure a liquid 'teall can be made that will give good results. here's the recipe: Imnmerse haîf a sackful of animal manure in water for about two weeks. The resulting fluid is then diluted ta about twice its volume. Apply directly te the soul at the base of the plant and water. in thoroughly. The combinatian of minerals plants require in the greateat quantity are represented on commercial fertilizer packages by three numbers, e.g. 20-20-20, 10-6-4 etc. The first number represents the concentration cf nitrogen, the next phosphorous and the last potassium. When using these fertilizers a nuniber of factors should be considered: the particular requirements of the plant types, methods of cultivation, the condition of the soil, and the season of the year. What follows is a breakdown of the variaus types 'of plants and what they require: ADA~LS They prefer well-drained average garden soul and a monthly appolication of a high phosphorous (2nd#) fertilizer formula. This will help replenish the energy that goes inta p roducing a new batch of flowers. Bulbs will do quite well in almost any soul as long as it is well drained. Bulbs cannot survive wet, soggy conditions for long. They seeni ta do best when fed with slow-acting organic fertilizers, or a well balanced 20-20-20 analysis of inorganic fertilizer. The soil beneath the bulb should be enriched at planting time with bone meal, cops r peat. Plant out at about the sanie time as tomatoes. Enrich the soil beneath the tuber with lots of erganic ipatter, caver with plain soil and Place the tuber on tep. Work in a cup of bone meal and fertilize with a high potassium formula later in the grgwing season (high 3rd#). GLADIOLI These plants are heavy feeders and need a rich soil. Add organic matter, bone meal and a 5-10-10 fertilizer down ta the root, zone. Keep'animal manures well away from the corn. HEIRBS Herbs like a well drained soil and do not require frequent feedings. It is advisable ta keep thern away from heavy feeders. Tee much fertilizer results in rich foliage but poor oils and it is the oild that give herbs flavor and fragrance. Feed 5-10-5 once in the spring and once in the summer. PERENNILS Newly planted perennials should be given a thorough soaking but ne fertilizer. This will give the plant a chance ta replace some feeder roots that were lest in the transplanting precess. Feed two weeks later with a solu tien Try tree 'tiraining' ý of fish emulsion. Avoid chemical fertilizers until the plant is well established. Once the plant is established feed once in early spring and again in mid-sunimer. Compested cow manure can be worked inta the soul. Do not feed perennials late in the season with a high nitrogenh formula since this will only retard their preparation for winter and result in severe frost damage. ROSES Roses like rich soil. A mix of 1/4 compost (leaf mold or well rotted manure), 1/4 peat, 1/4 tepsoil, and 1/4 vermiculite would work well. Feed 5-10-5 or a prepared rose food three tumes a year, once in spring as growth begins, after the first bloomis in June and again twa monîths befere the first frost. Make ,sure the plant does net get tee much nitrogen or you will get tee much green and tea few flowers. TREES AND SIIRUBS Avoid chemical fertilizers at planting time and for about two manths after. Bone meal and composted manure can b incorporated into the planting9 mix. Trées and shrubs do not need heavy concentrations of fertilizers. 1-1-1 or 2-2-2 will do in the formi of a light application in the spring and again in summer. Beyond that little else is necessary. Since nitrogen promotes leaf growth, use it in moderation on any shrub that must be pruned regularly, liek a hedge. As with other plants, high nitrogen formulas are used in sapin when plants are making rpdgreen growth and high phosphorus formulas are used during the flower. and bud formation stage. VEGETABLES 10-52-10 can be used te reduce transplanting shock. Once established feed once a week with a water soluble 5-10-5 formula for most plants. Leal:y greens however, like lettuce can use a formula higher in nitrogen. WILDFLOWERS Wildflowers require very minimal if any fertilizer since they get theii nutrients from oganic matter present in the soul. In the spring a light dusting of super phosphate is useful and a 1/4- inch dressing of well-rotted manure is welcome. The trick is nat ta everdo it. If. fertilized tea, heavily, lush greeni is evident at the expense of the flowers. *from 8 h.p. and up *Briggs & Stratton industriaV/commercial engins *32" twin blade side disoharge full f laating mower dock *5 speed forweard, 1 speed reverse * electric start *shock mount Choose from stock. Excellent flnanclng avallable. 'Whate yveryour choîce 4 we can help yout' MOOKUNMUB INTERNATIONAL EQUIPMENT 'LT., A% incoisf r Box 189, Brooklln, Ontario LOB ICO I;T~II (416) 655-8401 or 655-4401 Mtot Fri. 8a.m. - 5:30p.mi., 11J Sat. 8a.m. - noon. How to Create Standards Fuschia, lantana and geranium plants make great bedding and basket materials, but one of the most exeitmng things about these plants is that they can be trained ta forma tree or "standard." You can spend a lot of money and buy the plant in its standard forn or you can do it yaurself. Here's how: Buy asmaillplant with only one stem (if passible) and pot it into a three inch pot. Insert a foot long stick at the edge cf the pot. Tie the stemn to the s*take using two loops, one around the stake and one around the stem. Use a soft cord ta tie with (strips of:pantyhose work really well). When the plant is about 10Oin- ches high, move it ta a six-inch pot adding a longer stake (Up to 30 in- 'ches). Now remove ail the side shoots, leaving just one at the tip of the stemi. As the "tree" approaches two feet, move it into a 1-inch pot. Naw plnch the terminal or top bud and new side shoots will appear. In turn, pmnch off each of their terminal buds ta force the plant into bushyv growth. The stem wiIl develop a woody look and you will have a beautiful flowering tree. This proeess may take Up ta two years, so be patient. Naturally, in our climate these must be wintered indoors. 07 1ý