Residents of panhandle Florida are heading to the outdoors to engage in the wide array of available activities. Sunshine, fresh air and there are relatively few insects to encounter, so far.
Vegetable gardening, landscape maintenance and managing a home fruit orchard are all productive pursuits. Some residents, especially those new to the region, may consider these tasks as chores with many unanswered questions about getting the best results.
Part of the effort to achieve success is to have the correct soil nutrients available so the plants can deliver their maximum yield. This sometime means amending the soil through the use of fertilizers.
Vegetable gardens around north Florida are responding to the warm weather. Proper fertilizer applications will add to the yield without creating problems in the environment.
While a routine undertaking, applying fertilizer requires thought and consideration to be effective without negative consequences. It should be a deliberate and well-planned task which is science based.
The proper selection of a fertilizer should be based on a soil test. Every UF/IFAS Extension Office has supplies for pulling and submitting a soil sample for evaluation.
The results, which can come via mail or e-mail, will tell the homeowner what nutritional deficiencies (if any) exist in their garden, lawn or orchard. Based on the type of plant species indicated, the report will provide information on the fertilizer analysis needed for optimum plant performance.
With this information in hand, the homeowner can visit a local retailer who can provide the product which meets the plant’s needs without wasting excess nutrients. Excess soil nutrients can easily be relocated to ponds or streams when storm water washes it offsite.
Homeowners have several types of fertilizer from which to choose for use in their fruit and vegetable production. Each has distinct advantages and disadvantages.
Dry blend fertilizer is usually the least expensive and is easy to find in the marketplace. It is a mixture of minerals and compounds which are combined to produce a particular analysis, such as 10-10-10.
This analysis is ten percent nitrogen, ten percent phosphorus, and ten percent potassium with the remaining 70 percent being micronutrients and inert carrier. Applied correctly, it can be effective at delivering the needed nutrients.
It is most effective when applied several times throughout the growing season. The vegetable plants, grass and fruit trees will then have a continuous supply of the needed nutrients over time.
One potential problem with dry blend fertilizer is the particle size of the different nutrients. If irregular, they can separate during transportation to the retailer.
This can be easily corrected by the home gardener. Just pour the contents of the bag into a container and mix using a can or shovel.
Dry slow-release fertilizers are gaining popularity, but they are more expensive. They have a sulfur or polymer coating on the particles which allows for the slow release of the nutrients.
A single application can last for months which frees the home gardener to pursue other activities with the time saved. The most common use of this product is with turf, fruit and nut trees, but it will work with vegetables as well.
Liquid fertilizer concentrates are available, but the convenience comes at a high cost. It is easily diluted for use, but uniform application over a large area can be challenging with over-the-counter, consumer grade applicators.
No matter which form is used, proper application will grow good results. A healthy and well-maintained lawn, garden and orchard leaves more time for other pursuits, such as thinking about all the summertime activities that will soon be available.
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