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Category: Soil Amendments & Fertilizers

Does Adding Sand To Clay Soil Work?
Is it true that adding sand to clay soil makes it better, or is this just a traditional myth passed on from one generation to another?
There’s no doubt working with heavy soil is a pain. Wrestling with this heavily compacted soil in your garden strains both your body and the plants.
This soil sticks to your shoes and your working tools and seems to be more challenging to garden with it than any other type of soil. But even with all its disadvantages, clay soil has its benefits.
If your garden is made up of clay soil, don’t despair; clay has many benefits that it offers. Let’s look at how you can fix your clay soil to make it easier to work with and allow you to reap a good harvest.
Identifying Clay Soil
How can you tell that your garden has clay soil? Clay soil can be easily identified by:
- - It feels rather sticky and dense to the touch
  - Clay is smooth to touch especially when rubbed between the finger and the thumb.
  - It has high moisture and can be rolled into a ball or other shapes without cracking.
  - Heavy clay is shiny when rolled into any shape and then rubbed softly with your hands.
Adding Sand To Clay Soil
A notion has been in circulation for many years that says that adding sand to clay soil helps lighten it up. This is an old traditional myth that has no scientific evidence of its efficiency.
If you add sand to clay soil, it turns your soil into something as hard as wet cement. Any clay soil treated this way becomes tough and eliminates every possibility of both good and harmful living organisms in it.
What To Do If You Have Clay Soil
So instead of using sand for clay soil, it is best to reach for an organic matter like leaf mold compost manure or well-aged manure and add it to your clay soil.
The organic matter never goes wrong in any of the soil types it’s added to. When added to clay soil:
- - It lightens the soil texture
  - Adds nutrients
  - Discourages compaction
  - Improves drainage and aeration
  - Provides more space
  - Moderates the soil temperature
All these features are essential for plant growth.
So to amend your clay soil add as much organic matter as you can; mixing it into your existing clay soil is the aim. And if you have sand-clay soil because you have started adding some, use the organic matter. However, before improving the clay, carry out a soil test to incorporate phosphorus, lime, and whatever other nutrients your soil requires.
Steps To Amend Your Clay Soil
- - Use a spade to loosen the existing soil if it is it’s a small part, or use a tiller to loosen the existing soil over a large area
  - Spread about 2 inches of compost on top of the things soil and mix it with the clay soil
  - Repeat the process two or three times, working in your clay soil until you’re satisfied that it is thoroughly mixed up. Ensure that your clay soil is relatively dry; walking on wet clay soil will damage the structure you’re trying to improve.
  - Spread a few inches of compost over the ground between the plants and the soil and use a narrow spade to turn the compost into the soil
  - Repeat this method at least once, and your soil is ready for planting. Ensure that you work in small patches until your entire garden has freshly turned soil
When To Do It
The fall season is a great time to mix your clay with compost because the weather is drier than in the spring. Another reason why it is good to do this in autumn is because of the cooler temperatures that are more pleasant to work under. It becomes an annual part of your soil maintenance to add compost to your clay just before winter.
In the long run, regular applications of compost manure and other organic matter will continually improve your cell structure and overall health. Therefore, it will become much easier for you to walk in this kind of soil and for your plants to grow in.
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Clay Soil It’s Still A Suitable Type Of Soil
It is one of the few soils that provides an excellent foundation for healthy plant growth. Its potential lies in its unique properties, making it one of the best soil types for plant growth. The individual particles that make up the clay soil are small compared to other soil types such as sandy loam or silt.
Clay soil has a more significant water holding capacity due to these tiny particles. They can hold in water and nutrients for your garden and lawn needs very well. If you manage clay soil well it requires less irrigation, less fertilizer yet produces some of the healthiest plants around the world.
Even if you may feel like you want to differ with the statements above, maybe because you have heavy clay that clods on your boots and tools when working, it is best to test your soil before you make any changes. A soil test takes the guesswork away and provides clear statistics of the composition of your soil. The extension agent can advise what type of crops to grow in the particular soil.
Your test results could also include ways to improve your clay soil, along with helpful information about its organic matter nutrients and pH. It is advisable to carry out this soil test every 3 to 4 years.
Ways On How You Can Improve Your Clay Soil
- - To help your soil drain better and reduce trampling’s make raised beds before planting.
  - Consider adopting a new gardening hack of not digging, especially in your raised beds, so that you don’t mix the soil afresh; instead, you use the already well-drained topsoil.
  - Add some extra calcium to your clay soil to help the soil particles separate inside of the clump together.
- - Add lime and gypsum to your clay soil to active ingredients of commercial clay improvers; however, before you add the rest of your garden, test on a small area first to see the changes.
  - Add plenty of bulk organic matter like composted bark old manure to improve the soil and the plant’s nutrients.
  - To reduce summer cracking when the sun is too hot, apply organic mulches around trees and plants to help conserve moisture.
FAQs
What is the difference between sandy and clay soil?
Many soils are a mixture of sand, silt and clay. Sandy soil is a mixture of sand and clay. However, clay soil contains more sand than the other two soils. The most important factor in determining what type of soil you have is to determine if it is an acid or alkaline soil.
Soil acidity is determined by the amount of lime (calcium) present in the soil. Soils with high amounts of lime are called alkaline. Alkaline soil is good for growing a variety of crops because they like to grow in an alkaline environment. On the other hand, soil that has too much lime is acidic. Acidic soils have low pH levels. Low pH levels make plants grow poorly, and also can cause problems for humans who are sensitive to acidity. Soil pH levels range from 0 to 14. The lower the number, the more acidic the soil is. For example, soil with a pH level of 7 would be considered neutral. A pH level between 5 and 6 would be considered slightly acidic.
Most soils are classified as acid or alkaline. Clay soils are classified as acid or alkaline, but they are usually classified as alkaline. Clay soil tends to be more alkaline than other soils, because the clay particles are larger and hold onto more alkaline substances. The clay particles also tend to absorb the water in the soil, and prevent the water from reaching the root zone. Therefore, clay soil needs more water than other soils.
How can I make my clay soil more Sandy?
Soil compaction is what makes clay soil sandy. If you want to make your soil more sandy, then you need to compact it less. The best way to do this is to use a tiller.
What are the best soil amendments for clay soil?
Clay soils are usually high in organic matter and low in nutrients. Clay soils require compost or other organic matter. They should be worked in a way that allows the nutrients to leach into the soil. This can be done by tilling, sub-soiling, or using a rototiller.
Does lime break up clay soil?
It depends on how you want to use it. If you are going to add it to your lawn, you can mix it with your soil, but if you are adding it to the soil underneath your lawn, you will want to mix it with your topsoil. It will break up the clay, which is what you need. You will want to let it dry, then mix it into your topsoil.
Conclusion
One last word on gardening on your clay soil go for plants that naturally adapt well in clay soil. It is best to work with plants that do well in clay soil than try to force other plants to grow in it. An extension officer should advise you on plants that would do well in your kind of soil especially after soil test results.
That said, remember adding sand to clay soil is ultimately killing your clay soil and not adding any value to the sandy soil.
November 30, 2021
A Look At How To Add Potassium To Lawn
Let’s learn how to add potassium to the lawn as it’s an essential micronutrient that prevents diseases and promotes healthy growth.
Your lawn requires a good amount of potassium, depending on the naturally present amount in the soil. If your soil is naturally low in potassium, you will need to supplement it with are potassium-rich fertilizer. To determine how much potassium is in your soil, you will need to conduct a soil test. A soil test showcases what is available, and the nutrient is missing from the soil for more accessible nourishment of your soil.
What Is Potassium?
Potassium, sometimes referred to as potash, is an essential nutrient that your soil requires. It helps your grass take other nutrients and use them. It also helps in building strong cell walls within the grass or plants.
These cell walls are what keep your plants healthy and resilient in times of stress like disease, drought, or severe temperatures.
As your grass grows, potassium lawn fertilizer is needed for that growth. It helps the grass get strong deep roots and causes it to grow faster. A lawn that lacks enough potassium may grow slowly and have shallow roots. This means the grass won’t be able to withstand environmental stress as best as it should.
How To Carry Out A Soil Test
You can carry out the soil test on your own by buying a soil test kit from your gardener’s shop. You can also ask your local extension officer to provide soil containers and information on performing a soil test full stop use a hand trowel to collect soil samples from around your lawn.
Scoop about 10 to 15 samples from your yard at a depth of 3 inches and combine them. Leave the soil samples to dry and package them in containers you are provided with by the extension officer. After that, male the soil samples to the extension officer for testing and wait for results. Results take about 3- 5 days.
How To Tell If Your Lawn Has Enough Potassium
There are a few signs to look out for when you’re trying to decide if your soil has enough potassium. Your grass will show signs of stress that include slow growth, yellowing or being highly susceptible to changes in temperature.
Sometimes just looking at your grass with your physical eyes might not give you the results that you want. So it is advisable to test your soil for potassium deficit before drawing conclusions.
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Choosing A Lawn Potassium Fertilizer
Lawn fertilizer has a high ratio of potassium. This fertilizer is rated using three numbers representing the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium they contain. The third number in the sequence presents the concentration of potassium in the fertilizer. In most cases, you can use a fertilizer that has all of the three macronutrients. If your lawn has less than 25 parts per million of potassium, use a fertilizer with a high potassium concentration for yards.
Adding Potassium To Your Lawn
Once you learn your lawn is lacking enough potassium, it’s time to add some.
Apply potassium fertilizer biannually each spring and fall. You will have to add this fertilizer based on the results of the soil test. Your extension officer should advise you what type of potassium fertilizer you should purchase and how much you should apply.
For example, 6 pounds of potassium can go 1,000 sq ft of lawn; this applies to lawns that are between 0 to 25 PPM. Yards that are between 25 to 50 PPM require 4 pounds of fertilizer. Those with 50 to 75 PPM need to pounds of fertilizer, while those that are between 75 and 100 will need 1 lb per 1,000 square feet.
Ensure that you spread your potassium fertilizer evenly all over the lawn. Feed your lawn when the weather is excellent and the soil is dry.
You can also use compost three times a year to increase potassium levels within your soil.
Choosing The Best Potassium For Your Lawn
When choosing the best potassium product for your soil you can use either a long-term or short-term solution. We recommend choosing soluble potassium to help stimulate photosynthesis in plants allowing your grass to remain healthy for long. The main advantage of soluble fertilizers is that they dissolve quickly in water, delivering them into the grass relatively quickly.
Most people opt for fast-acting solutions like potassium sulfate or potassium chloride is there a cheaper option. These two minerals are commonly used for lawn winterizing. Either of these two are a good option but potassium sulphate is a better option as it doesn’t interfere with the good bacteria in the soil.
Before applying any fertilizer, read the label carefully and gather all the information about it as much as possible.
Here are some potential solutions that you can use
- Use Dried Kelp Meal. It has a lot of nutrients that are valuable to the soil and when used it restores potassium levels in your soil
- Use Hardwood Ash. This powder is full of potassium and you can apply straight to the soil or add it to your compost. It is especially significant if you want to increase the pH levels of your soil as well, but before you do so and sure that you monitor your grounds’ acidity.
- Use Sulphate Of Potash Magnesia. This is also known as Sul Po Mag. It is pretty affordable and increases the levels of both magnesium and potassium in the soil.
You can also choose the slow-releasing potassium fertilizers as they will feed your grass slowly for a long time.
FAQs
How do I raise the potassium in my yard?
Potassium is an important element that makes up a plant’s cells. A deficiency of potassium can lead to stunted growth, poor flowering and reduced yields. Potassium is also used by plants as an energy source. The most effective way to supply potassium is to use rock phosphate or bonemeal. These fertilizers contain a high concentration of potassium. Use them at recommended rates to avoid excess applications and damage to the soil. Organic Potassium can be added to the compost pile or applied directly to the garden as a foliar feed. If you are using manure, apply it as a top dressing after the first application of fertilizer, or use a high-potassium fertilizer such as blood meal. If you are not using manure, use a low-phosphorus fertilizer such as 10-10-10. When you apply potassium fertilizer, apply only enough to cover the top inch of soil.
How do you fix potassium deficiency in soil?
Potassium is the most abundant cation in the earth’s crust. It is present in all living organisms and many minerals and rocks. Potassium is a macronutrient needed for growth and development of plants. Plants also need phosphorus, nitrogen, and sulfur to make up the major part of their biomass. These elements are called micronutrients, which are needed in smaller amounts than macronutrients.
When potassium is not available in sufficient quantities to meet the plant’s needs, the plant may experience leaf chlorosis and leaf spots. These symptoms usually occur if the potassium is present in the soil at more than 100 times the normal amount. The most common symptoms of potassium deficiency include poor fruit set, leaf spot, and reduced growth. There are several methods to correct potassium deficiency. If you want to increase potassium levels in your soil, you can add potassium-rich compost or manure to your soil. You can also buy potassium-rich compost from a local nursery. If you are using a potassium-rich compost, make sure that you also have a source of nitrogen and phosphorus in your soil. You can also apply a potassium fertilizer to your soil.
What is a natural potassium fertilizer?
The most populars is wooden ash.
Potassium is a naturally occurring mineral that helps maintain the pH balance of the soil. Potassium helps plants absorb water, and it also promotes the growth of roots.
The use of potassium in the form of a fertilizer is known as potassium (K) fertilization. Potassium can be applied to the soil in two ways: as a foliar spray, or as a root-applied fertilizer.
A natural potassium fertilizer can be applied at any time of year, but it should not be applied in the fall or spring when the plants are dormant.
Can you put too much potassium in your lawn?
The answer to that question is a big “maybe.” But it’s not a good idea to add a lot of potassium to your lawn. It can do harm to your lawn, and the best way to deal with this problem is to keep an eye on your potassium levels in the soil and not apply too much at once. Potassium is one of the macronutrients that lawns need in order to grow properly.
Final Thoughts
Lack of potassium is a significant problem for any homeowner who wants to have a nice yard. Besides grass it also affects other plants in your garden; this is why you need to test your soil regularly to ensure it has enough potassium.
Now that you know how to add potassium to the lawn you shouldn’t have any issue regulating potassium levels in your soil. It is easy to handle the potassium problem, whether in your yard or garden. Always ensure you test your soil at least twice a year for an updated review. Happy gardening!
November 29, 2021
How To Add Calcium To Soil For Tomatoes
Every gardener needs to learn how to add calcium to soil for tomatoes to ensure they are healthy fruits free from disease that hinders growth.
Have you noticed any small, water-filled patches at the bottom of the juicy red tomato that widened and turned into a dark patch? On touching, did you notice how they give you a sunken and leathery feeling? This tomato is suffering from blossom end rot – a common disease that prevents the proper growth of the plant.
This disease occurs due to a lack of calcium; therefore, it is vital to know the importance of adding calcium to plants.
Importance Of Calcium For Tomatoes
A healthy plant blossoms in rich soil. Tomatoes require an adequate supply of calcium, nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium for them to thrive. Adding calcium to the garden in its soluble form is easy and enters the roots of your plants, making it easy for their absorption.
There are several reasons why you will need to add calcium to your garden before growing tomatoes. They include:
- Calcium is a macronutrient used quite as much as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous.
- It is the macronutrient of plants.
- It’s crucial to give proper health to plants and be involved with so many functions in plants, from appropriate cell wall formation to fruit production.
Plants need calcium throughout their growth period since it’s used in so many processes in the plant. Therefore, the ideal time to add calcium to the soil is throughout the plant’s growth period. Of course, you can’t keep on adding calcium to your garden soil; but the time you add depends on you.
How To Add Calcium To Soil For Tomatoes
Test Your Soil
Before planting your tomatoes, it is advisable to conduct a soil test to know what nutrients are present and which ones are missing. You can test the soil at home to determine the presence of macronutrients and soil acidity. Calcium deficiency is revealed when soil is tested in a laboratory. In extreme cases, you can get professional help to get advice on how to add calcium to your soil for tomatoes.
Add Ground Limestone And Gypsum
Lime and gypsum work well together and are good sources of calcium. To increase calcium in your soil, add limestone by spreading it all over the soil. Use a machine or hands to mix the soil and get it ready for planting. Both lime and gypsum are coated with molasses, which is an excellent source of calcium. The ground gypsum has inbuilt salt making it an excellent source of calcium. Gypsum can have a lasting effect on the soil with nutrients like magnesium, copper, phosphorous, and zinc. It should therefore be used in controlled amounts.
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Use Fertilizers
Soluble fertilizers can be a good source of calcium for tomatoes. Other fertilizers like soft rock phosphate are naturally rich in calcium and intended for tomatoes used. You can add these fertilizers when tilling it. For tomatoes, be careful not to disturb their roots when giving the plants fertilizer. Give them a one-time application of half a cup of 8-8-8 granular chemical fertilizer. If using organic granular fertilizer, use only 1 cup of 5-5-5 per plant. Mix this fertilizer with the top 8 inches of soil along with lime before planting your tomatoes.
Add Eggshells
Yes, you heard it right! Eggshells are rich in calcium and can be added to the soil. Grind them into a fine powder before integrating them into the soil. Unlike limestone, it must break down into the soil before the plants use it. The breakdown process might take a few months. This method remains one of the simplest and easiest methods to provide calcium to tomatoes.
Use Calcium Spray
You can spray the tomato leaves as a way to add calcium to these plants. And the most significant thing of all is you can make this spray yourself. Simply your choice of calcium solution to a gallon of water. Shower or drizzle the solution once or twice a week when the flowers are set to bloom. Ensure the spritz reaches the fruits too.
Water Your Plants Thoroughly
Water is the number 1 source of calcium. An inch of water per week is required for the growth of juicy and calcium-rich tomatoes. You can use rain or irrigation water to water your tomatoes. Note that these plants love to be deeply watered throughout, or else shallow watering will not improve the situation. Ensuring you have provided your plants with adequate water is essential to provide calcium and feed the plants.
When you use any of the methods above, your plants will not suffer blossom end rot. Pot-grown tomatoes are more prone to catching this disease than garden ones. So ensure you supply enough calcium to the potted plants too.
What Happens When You Add Calcium To Soil For Tomatoes Early?
It is the best time to add calcium to your soil as it will begin to work and stabilize the soil before planting your tomatoes. If your soil has a Ph level of 6.5 to 7.2, it is acidic and needs to be supplemented with lime. You can also add dolomite lime to improve the level of magnesium in the soil. If you forget to add lime early in the fall season, don’t worry; you can still add it in the spring season at least 2 months before planting tomatoes.
What Happens When You Add Them Late?
If you notice you are late to add calcium to the soil, it’s best to add it late than not at all. However, don’t wait until it’s too late because it will not work. Adding lime can be a great solution to eliminate the acidity of the soil. 3/4^th cup of lime is enough for each plant.
FAQs
Why is calcium important to tomato plants?
The calcium in your soil is essential for the growth of tomato plants. Calcium helps the plant to develop a strong and healthy root system and to produce flowers, fruits and seeds.
Calcium is often called “the muscle food” because it helps to build strong cell walls. The calcium in the soil can be used by the plants to build strong roots and stems.
You can get calcium from your soil and apply it to your tomato plants when you plant them. However, if you want to give your plants a boost of calcium, you can also feed them as they grow.
How do I add calcium to my tomato plants?
You can add calcium to the soil in the form of dolomite, limestone, oyster shell, or even rock dust. You can also add calcium to your tomatoes by using a foliar spray. Many home gardeners use a diluted solution of calcium chloride to feed their plants. If you do not have access to a spray bottle, you can purchase a fertilizer with calcium already mixed into it. Foliar feeding is done by spraying the leaves of the plant with a solution of calcium. If you want to know how much calcium you need to feed your tomatoes, you will have to experiment with different amounts.
Can calcium be harmful?
It takes time for your plants to get used to getting their calcium from the soil rather than from the leaves. So start by adding a small amount of calcium to your soil and see how your plants respond.
If you add too much at once, it will burn your plants.
How can I tell if my tomato plants need calcium?
Tomato plants are actually a very good source of calcium. In fact, the calcium content is so high that if you add too much calcium to your soil, it will inhibit plant growth. This is especially true of older plants. Soil tests are good at determining the calcium content of soil, but they can’t tell you what the calcium content is in a specific plant. Soil tests can only tell you the calcium content of the soil as a whole.
What is the fastest way to add calcium to soil?
The most effective way to add calcium to soil is to use bone meal or manure. The best time to do this is in the fall when it is time to start a new crop, as it will improve the soil and provide nutrients for your crops. It is also better to apply bone meal than manure, because of the high amount of nitrogen in bone meal.
Conclusion
Now, you are well informed about how to add calcium to tomato plants; it’s high time you do so. To prevent the tomatoes from suffering from the blossom rot disease, ensure you add calcium to your soil at the right time.
When your soil is well enriched with the right amounts of nutrients, you can now thrive in your tomato farming.
November 27, 2021
Alfalfa Meal Fertilizer Benefits
Ever wondered if you can make use of an alfalfa meal in your garden? Alfalfa meal fertilizer can be used for other things but gardeners know there can be benefits from using it in their garden.
Alfalfa meal is a natural fertilizer that can be incorporated into your garden soil and drive great benefits for your plants’ growth.
If you are the one that likes to stick with organic fertilizer rather than synthetic fertilizer, then alfalfa meal is one natural fertilizer you can go for.
This natural fertilizer works great with different types of crops especially cole crops that include broccoli, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and so on.
The place of fertilizers cannot be underplayed in the growth of plants. With so many benefits this natural fertilizer offers; let’s look into what benefits our garden plants stand to gain using alfalfa meal fertilizer.
About Alfalfa Plant
Before we discuss the huge benefits of using the fertilizer, let’s mention a few things you should know about the Alfalfa meal:
- - Alfalfa is a richly leguminous perennial plant.
  - Derived by fermenting the adult seeds and plants of the plants.
  - The plant contains enormous nutritional benefits for other plants and soil-dwelling organisms.
  - Some of the major minerals which the plant may provide include Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Sulphur, Iron, Manganese, Boron Copper, Zinc, and other minerals In small proportions.
  - The alfalfa meal NPK analysis is 2.8-0.29-2.4, and it is an excellent addition to the compost pile for nitrogen. The fertilizer is entirely organic and non-GMO.
  - Used a great deal as a soil supplement. This is because it has the potential to re-energize the soil potential and increase the organic composition of the soil.
Can I Use Alfalfa Pellets As Fertilizer?
This alfalfa natural fertilizer can come in a meal or pellet for your garden use. The common type seen at the feed store is mostly the pellets. Use these pellets in your garden. All you need is to input a little extra work.
You can simply soak this pellet just to break them up. Then you get your resulting alfalfa meal.
Alfalfa For Garden: Alfalfa Meal Fertilizer Benefits
Using alfalfa meal in your garden as soil amendments and compost activator is a great idea. It will supply the soil in your garden with the required soil amendments especially after the soil has depleted its nutrients from the plants’ previous growing season.
Major Benefits Of Using Alfalfa Meal Fertilizer
Here are some of the major benefits of using alfalfa meal fertilizer in your garden.
1. Nutrients Provided To The Soil
Known for the great array of nutrients it offers to the soil and plants on it. Some of the nutrients provided include:
- NPK Nutrient: Provides good NPK which is balanced. Can also help improve the soil quality. The NPK is usually placed somewhere around 3-1-2.
- Vitamins: In addition to other nutrients, vitamins such as A, B, and E are also present in a reasonable proportion in the meal.
- Minerals: So, minerals such as magnesium and iron are also present in substantial quantities in the meal.
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So, the presence of this wide variety of nutrients makes for the potent nature of the fertilizer.
2.    Multiple Purpose Use
The Alfalfa Meal fertilizer can serve multiple functions. Used as a mulch material, weed blocker, fertilizer for plants, and even as feed for livestock. The preparation of the Alfalfa plant may vary depending on the final purpose it is intended to serve.
3.    Excellent Crop Cover
Another major benefit of Alfalfa is that it serves as crop cover. When planted, it usually grows very fast and covers the soil. This makes it difficult for weeds to survive. It also has deep, strong roots which in most situations help to break down strong clay soil.
4.    Presence Of Triacontanol
One major benefit of this fertilizer is the presence of triacontanol. This is a naturally-occurring component that helps to promote healthy root development in plants. This component also helps in substantially improving the yield in crops. It also fixes the nitrogen content of the soil.
5.    Hold Moisture In The Soil
This fertilizer while absorbing much of its weight in water, it also holds moisture conveniently. Therefore, this aids the soil’s moisture retention.
6.    Nematodes Suppression
The use of this fertilizer can also help in suppressing to a great proportion the amount of nematodes in the soil.
How To Use Alfalfa Meal Fertilizer
Now we understand the huge advantage that comes with using alfalfa meal fertilizers. Let’s get into how to properly use the fertilizer:
- - So, in heavy applications, use about 50 pounds for 1,000 square feet.
  - For a medium application, about 25 pounds should be used for 1,000 square feet.
  - In light application, about 12 pounds of fertilizer should be used for 1,000 square feet.
For the best possible result to be attained, the following should be noted when using the fertilizers:
- - Alfalfa meal fertilizer is an alkaline substance. As such, it should not be used for plants that do well with acid soil.
  - After the alfalfa meal has been spread on the desired potion of land, rake it into the soil and water the soil.
  - The fertilizer is usually powdery and dusty. As such, a protective cover should be worn when it is being used to protect the face of users.
  - So, ensure to put leftover alfalfa meal in a good container to prevent mice from having access to it. Mice love the meal and putting it in soft bags would easily attract them.
FAQ’s
How long has alfalfa meal been used by farmers?
Alfalfa is a perennial legume that is very nutritious. The plant grows in the wild and has been cultivated for thousands of years. It was first domesticated by the Ancient Romans and its seeds were used as a food source and a fertilizer for crops. Alfalfa has been used by farmers for centuries because of its ability to improve soil quality and produce a high yield of nutritious, high-quality hay.
What are different ways that alfalfa meal is used?
Alfalfa meal is a byproduct of the processing of alfalfa and contains a high protein content. The protein content ranges between 25% to 45% of the dry matter. Alfalfa meal is used as a source of protein for livestock and poultry feed and as an ingredient in pet food. It is also used in the manufacture of plastics, detergents, and other products.
What plants benefit from alfalfa meal?
It can also be used to help keep weeds down and as a soil conditioner.
It is a great soil conditioner because of its nitrogen and phosphorous content. It is not as expensive as other feed supplements and is often used to help keep weeds down.
Plants like alfalfa meal. The roots of plants are made of mostly protein, carbohydrates, and minerals.
Alfalfa meal is used as a fertilizer for gardens, lawns, and farm land. It is commonly fed to livestock such as chickens, cows, pigs, and horses.
How do I use alfalfa meal as fertilizer?
Alfalfa meal is an excellent nitrogen source that can be used in many different ways. One of the easiest uses for alfalfa meal is to spread it on a lawn or garden to provide a slow release nitrogen source for your plants. You can also mix it with other fertilizers like liquid fish emulsion and add it to the soil around seedlings or young plants to help stimulate growth. Alfalfa meal is available at many feed stores or you can buy it online.
When you are using alfalfa meal as a fertilizer, you will want to spread it on top of the soil and not directly on the plants themselves. This is because alfalfa meal is not a plant food. It is more like a slow release nitrogen source than a true fertilizer. It is also not good for your lawns or gardens if you use it this way. You should only use alfalfa meal as a fertilizer when you want to encourage growth in your plants. If you do decide to use alfalfa meal as a fertilizer, make sure you spread it correctly. There are a few different ways to do this depending on the type of fertilizer you are using. If you are using a granular fertilizer, mix it with water and then spray the mixture onto the soil surface.
Conclusion On Alfalfa Meal Fertilizer Benefits
There is a need to use a supplement to improve plant growth and soil performance. So, the Alfalfa meal for plants has a great advantage over other soil supplements.
There is a wide array of benefits that the use of this fertilizer can give to the soil and plants. This fertilizer is very potent both for outdoor use and indoor plant use.
So, make sure to observe some of the key guides on how to use and apply this fertilizer.
November 25, 2021
Making Soil More Acidic
Good soil is one of the most important aspects of having a successful garden. Without good soil, your plants will struggle to grow and in some cases, they might not grow at all. Making soil more acidic can help certain plants not only grow but also strive.
Based on local geography, soils mineral content varies, which in return affects its acidity or alkalinity levels in the soil. This is measured on a pH scale, which allows people to conveniently determine the acidity on their soil. Based on the plants you are growing, you can then research the pH levels they need and test the levels in your soil, adjusting them as needed.
How To Test For Acidity
Before starting your garden, it is best to test the acidity levels in your soil. Different plants need more acidic levels, whereas others don’t need much acidity at all. Fortunately, you can use a pH test to determine how acidic your soil is.
The best time to test the acidity levels of your soil is in the fall. This will then give you plenty of time to adjust your soil if need be before you plant your garden.
When testing your soil, use a hand shovel to dig about four to six inches down to obtain a sample. Once you dig up a good chunk of soil, remove any rocks, sticks, and debris from the soil. In addition, you also want to break up any large clumps of soil.
In a large bowl, add around one cup of soil along with enough water to make it into the mud. Then, add 1/2 cup of vinegar and stir it into your mud. If your mud begins to foam, fizz, or make bubbles, your soil is alkaline.
If no bubbling occurs, repeat the process as you did above by making mud with one cup of soil. Then, add 1/2 cup of baking soda and stir it in your mud mixture. If the mud begins to fizz, bubble, or foam, your soil is acidic.
Using A pH Testing Kit
You can also test the soil using a soil pH testing kit. This will give you an exact number of acidic your soil is. The pH test works on a scale of 0-14.
To use a pH testing kit, dig up soil from four to six inches down and remove any rocks and debris. Then, place one to three teaspoons of soil in a clean glass. Pour distilled water into the glass to the same level of the soil.
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Shake the mixture well into it becomes well combined and then let it sit for 30 minutes. Then pour your soil sample through a coffee filter, collecting the water into a new clean glass. Be certain to get as much liquid out of it as you can.
Then place the pH strip into the liquid you collected and leave it in their according to the package’s instructions. Once it has been in the water for as long as it needed to be, compare the color of the strip to the chart of the package.
It is a good idea to repeat the process with samples from different parts of your garden. This will help you get a good idea of the average pH levels of the soil in your garden.
Why Acidity Levels Matter
Many plants thrive in acidic soil because the pH provides them with the nutrients they need to grow. In addition, pH levels in the soil also play a vital role in fertility. By having an ideal acidity level in your soil, the microbiological activity of the soil increases, which leads to improved soil nutrient recycling and release.
The pH levels in soil also work to maximize the nutrients of N, P, and K that come from fertilizers. Many plants will do best with a pH level that is right in the middle of the scale, however, it does vary by species of plant.
How To Make Soil More Acidic
Fortunately, if your soil is not acidic enough for your plant’s needs, there are several ways you can increase the acidity levels. Before adjusting your soil‘s acidity, make sure to test multiple areas of your soil to find the average pH level of your garden.
One of the easiest and most effective ways for how to increase soil acidity is by composting. Since compost is rich in organic matter, it makes your soil more acidic gradually over time, which creates the most benefits for your plants. In addition, it not only improves the structure of the soil but also creates additional benefits for plant growth.
In addition, you can also use compost tea to increase acidity. Simply add one to two cups of your compost to one to two gallons of water. Allow it to sit for 48 hours, stirring regularly, then strain the compost and spray the liquid in your soil for fast-acting nutrients.
You can also use organic mulch, coffee grounds, and peat moss to help increase the acidity levels in your soil. In addition, you can also buy soil acidifier at gardening and department stores that is not only easy to use but also effective at improving the pH levels in your garden. However, it can be more expensive than the other options.
FAQs
What increases the acidity in the soil?
There are several factors that can affect soil acidity, for example:
The amount of nitrogen in the soil. The higher the nitrogen content, the more acidic the soil will be. The type of soil. Soil with clay in it tends to be more acidic than soil with sand in it. Soil with a high calcium carbonate content (found in chalk) tends to be less acidic than soil with a lower calcium carbonate content.
You will increase the acidity of soil if you use any type of chemical fertiliser. This has nothing to do with what kind of chemical it is or how much it contains, but rather whether you have used a nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium containing chemical or not.
How is acidity measured?
Soil pH is measured on a scale from 0 to 14, where 2.0 is neutral, and below 3.0 is acidic and above 4.0 is alkaline.
The most common way to test your soil for pH is with a soil testing kit, or with an inexpensive test kit that you can buy at the grocery store or hardware store. To determine if your soil is acidic or alkaline, you can do this with the following procedure:
1. Fill a bucket with water, and mix in 2 teaspoons of salt per gallon of water.
2. Stir the soil thoroughly with your hands, and then add it to the water.
3. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes, and then test the pH with a pH meter.
4. Record the pH of your soil on a pH chart, and then calculate the percentage of acidity
If the soil is more acidic than 5 percent, add 1 tablespoon of lime per quart of soil to increase the pH.
If the soil is more acidic than 15 percent, add 1 teaspoon of sulfur per quart of soil to increase the pH.
What should I do when my soil has too much acidity?
You should add some neutralizing agent to the soil. One way to do this is to add lime. Lime is an alkaline compound, so it will neutralize the acidity of your soil.
How do I fertilize acidic soil?
The best way to fertilize acidic soils is to use a compost tea that has been produced from compost. The compost will have a high pH and therefore the compost tea will also be high in pH. This means that it will be good at neutralizing acidity.
What is the most widely used way of making soil more acidic?
There are a number of ways you can acidify your soil.
Two of the most common: Lime and Wood Ashes. These are often recommended as “natural” methods for acidifying soils, but they should be used as little as possible as they are highly toxic.
Lime is an inorganic source of calcium carbonate. The lime reacts with water and releases carbon dioxide gas (CO2).
The benefits of adding lime are that it increases soil pH, improves drainage, and improves soil structure. It also helps to increase organic matter and nutrient content. The disadvantages are that it can cause high levels of soil salinity, and can be detrimental to some plant species (especially those that like a slightly alkaline soil). It should be noted that lime is not a fertilizer, but rather an acidifying agent.
Improving Your Soil: Making Soil More Acidic
Knowing how to make soil acidic can help improve the growth of the plants in your garden. It can provide your plants with the important nutrients they need in order to thrive.
Before planting your garden, it is a good idea to test the pH levels of your soil in several places to determine if your soil needs more acidity. In addition, be sure to research the plants you are going to add to your garden to find out what pH levels those specific plants require.
Compost is a great way to improve the acidity of your soil. In addition, you can also use compost tea, mulch, peat moss, and coffee to improve acidity. You can even buy soil acidifier from stores to help enhance your soil.
Do you have any questions regarding making soil more acidic? If so, please ask any questions about acidic levels in soil in the comment section below.
October 25, 2021
List Of Vegetables That Like Coffee Grounds
If coffee preparations are one of your daily habits, are you aware that’s a fantastic source of organic matter? The use of coffee grounds in your garden can help some plants, especially vegetables flourish. So let’s look into the list of vegetables that like coffee grounds.
Even though coffee grounds are a great organic matter for your garden, they aren’t ideal for all types of plants. Some plants will benefit greatly from coffee grounds while others may not benefit from them.
This is why you must be aware of the plants that will especially benefit from coffee grounds. So, in this article, we will be looking at the list of vegetables that are like coffee grounds.
What Are Coffee Grounds?
Coffee grounds also known as green composts are the sediment or residue that remains after brewing coffee. They are rich in nitrogen which is an important constituent of plant nutrients. Coffee grounds not only add organic matter to your soil garden, but they will also enhance drainage and air circulation in your soil.
They contain caffeine and they tend to be acidic. Therefore, their acidic feature should be part of the things to consider when using coffee grounds.
Coffee grounds can change the pH of your soil. This is good for some plants but not ideal for others. Therefore, you should take note of the soil you’re starting with. Get to know if the soil is already acidic or alkaline. A simple pH testing kit will do the job.
Already used coffee grounds are sparingly acidic. Freshly made (unbrewed) coffee grounds tend to be more acidic.
Technically, there are two types of coffee grounds, they are:
- Used coffee grounds which are the final product from composting coffee residue or dregs.
- Then we have the raw coffee grounds which are fresh acidic dregs that have no additives.
What Vegetables Like Coffee Grounds?
Coffee grounds are great for growing many vegetables because a lot of vegetables thrive in acidic soil. But some vegetables may not respond well to the addition of coffee grounds.
Coffee grounds will provide some essential nutrients for your plants’ growth. This essential nutrient includes nitrogen, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and chromium. These nutrients are very important for a plant’s optimal healthy growth.
You can either use fresh or used coffee grounds in your garden. Fresh coffee grounds tend to be acidic naturally therefore they favor acid-loving plants. However, you can simply neutralize this acidic level by composting it or using eggshells.
Different plants have their preference and will thrive in either fresh coffee grounds or used coffee grounds.
The plants that thrive well under the use of coffee grounds can be divided into 4 groups. They are:
- Edible crops and vegetables: berries, carrots, radishes, tomatoes, broccoli, sweet potatoes, and pepper.
- Flowers: roses, lilies, trillium, Japanese iris, camellias, and daffodils.
- Trees: magnolia, pin oak, beech, and willow oak.
- Shrubs: holly, azaleas gardenias, and rhododendrons.
List Of Vegetables Or Plants That Like Coffee Grounds
If you’re wondering which vegetables like coffee grounds, we have listed 7 vegetables that will thrive and benefit from the addition of coffee grounds. They are:
1.    Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes are acid-loving plants so they will benefit from the use of coffee grounds. The addition of coffee grounds to sweet potatoes will yield a quick result. Sweet potatoes can be grown both in your outdoor garden and indoor garden.
2.    Broccoli
Broccoli is another great vegetable that is like coffee grounds. Broccoli can be grown all year long and it offers amazing vitamins such as Vitamin A, C, K, B1, and B6. It can also boost the immune system and help the digestive system. Broccoli also assists in preventing birth defects, high blood pressure, and cancer.
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This veg will flourish in moderate or slightly chilly weather that corresponds to spring or fall.
3.    Tomatoes
Tomato plants will also benefit from the addition of composted coffee grounds. Coffee grounds have an abundance of nitrogen that enhances the development of healthy roots, tissue growth, and chlorophyll production.
However, you should note that tomatoes do not flourish well in fresh coffee grounds because it tends to be more acidic. They would rather benefit from already-used coffee grounds that have a slightly acidic level.
4.    Carrots
Carrot is another vegetable crop that will thrive well in coffee grounds. Simply mix the coffee grounds during the process of grinding to assist in the production of strong tubers for your carrots.
5.    Berries
Berries such as blueberries and strawberries benefit from the coffee grounds supply. The release of a high level of nitrogen helps the plant thrive.
6.    Pepper
Adding coffee grounds to your pepper plant will as well boost healthy growth.
7.    Radishes
Radishes are a type of tuber crop that will benefit from coffee grounds.
List Of Flowers That Like Coffee Grounds
Let’s further look into other plants such as flowers that like coffee grounds.
1. Trilliums
Many flowers tend to be acid-loving. Flowers such as trilliums will blossom adequately in a well-draining, moist, acidic soil, and soil rich in organic content. So, coffee grounds are capable of supplying all these 4 essential requirements.
1. Roses
Roses will thrive well in coffee grounds addition. However, you should use only a moderate amount of it as this can help invite worms that will loosen your soil for proper air circulation. Adding too many coffee grounds to your rose plant can burn or even kill the plant.
1. Daffodils
Daffodil flower also known as trumpet narcissus is another plant that will flourish from the addition of coffee grounds. The application of coffee grounds will greatly affect the growth of this flower. It will as well enhance drainage, air circulation, and water retention.
1. Japanese Iris
Japanese iris also loves coffee grounds in addition to their plant. It is an easy-to-care flower that thrives or loves damp conditions. The Japanese iris flower is capable of thriving even in poorly draining soil. they love acidic soils so you can always add coffee grounds to their soil to increase the pH level to the desired range.
Which Vegetables Don’t Like Coffee Grounds?
Coffee grounds can be a good source of nutrients for some plants, but some vegetables may not benefit. Here are a few veggies that may not do well with coffee grounds:
Beets: Coffee grounds may make the soil too acidic for beets. This veggie prefers a pH range of 6.0-6.8.
Potatoes: This veggie can tolerate soil with a pH as low as 5. However, adding too many coffee grounds can be detrimental.
The effects of coffee grounds on plants vary. Factors like the type of plants, amount of coffee grounds used, soil type, and watering practices all influence this. It’s always a good idea to test the pH of your soil before adding coffee grounds and to use them in moderation to avoid over-acidifying the ground.
How Much Coffee Grounds Can I Put Around Tomato Plants?
Coffee grounds can be a good source of nutrients for tomato plants when used in moderation. Tomatoes prefer a pH range of 6.0 – 8.0. If you add too much coffee, the soil can become too acidic.
As a general guideline, you can use about 1 cup of coffee grounds per 20 square feet of soil around your tomato plants. Simply mix the coffee grounds into the soil, and water them to help release their nutrients. You can also mix coffee grounds with compost or other organic matter to create a balanced soil amendment for your tomato plants.
How Long Does it Take For Coffee Grounds to Compost?
The time it takes for coffee grounds to compost depends on several factors. These include the size and moisture content of the soil, the presence of other organic matter in the compost pile, and the temperature and humidity of the environment.
Coffee grounds generally take a few weeks to months to fully compost. If you want to speed up the process, follow these tips:
Step 1: Shred the coffee grounds into smaller pieces, and add them to a balanced compost pile. This will increase the surface area of the grounds and allow them to decompose more quickly.
Step 2: Regularly water the compost pile. Water will help activate the decomposer microorganisms in the compost pile.
Step 3: Turn the compost pile at least twice a week. This will help aerate the pile and speed up decomposition.
If you follow these steps, your coffee grounds will compost faster and more efficiently.
How Often Can You Put Coffee Grounds On Your Plants?
Over-fertilizing coffee grounds can make your soil too acidic. While coffee benefits plants, using too much isn’t healthy for them. How much coffee you can add to specific plants vary, but here are a few things you can keep in mind:
Start with small amounts
Use a small number of coffee grounds on your plants at a time. You can gradually add more if you see it’s working.
Monitor the pH of your soil
Regularly test the pH of the areas where you added coffee grounds. Coffee grounds have lower pH, so you should ensure it stays in the appropriate range for your plants before adding more.
Use coffee grounds as a supplement
Do not replace your regular fertilizer with coffee grounds. You should only use it as a supplement in your plants’ normal fertilization routine.
Are Coffee Grounds Good for Asparagus Plants?
Using coffee grounds alone could inhibit your asparagus plants. However, mixing it with organic matter and using it in moderation could be beneficial.
Asparagus plants prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.5 and 6.8. If your soil is neutral, you can add coffee grounds to make it more acidic.
Final Say
The addition of coffee grounds to your garden soil can add organic matter and significantly improve air circulation in your garden soil. They also serve as great supplements of essential nutrients or minerals (such as nitrogen, calcium, potassium, iron, etc) required for your plant to have healthy growth.
Some of the lists of vegetables that are like coffee grounds include broccoli, sweet potato, carrots, berries, tomatoes, and pepper.
FAQ’s
Which vegetable plants benefit from coffee grounds?
Coffee grounds can be used as a fertilizer. Coffee grounds are the most efficient and effective compost activator, and they are also an excellent source of nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorous. Coffee grounds can be added to the soil as a top dressing or sprinkled over the plants as a foliar spray. Coffee grounds should not be applied directly to the plant’s roots as they may encourage fungal diseases. However, coffee grounds can be mixed into compost and then used as a top dressing.
It is an excellent substrate for the production of leguminous crops such as beans. Others include carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, sweet potatoes and radishes.
Do cucumbers like coffee grounds?
Yes, they do because cucumber plants grow well in warm, humid weather and they do best when the soil is slightly acidic.
They are easy to care for and very forgiving when it comes to soil and water conditions. Cucumbers like a lot of sun, but will tolerate some shade. They prefer warm temperatures and love humidity. They don’t like frost or extreme cold weather. So, be careful not to overwater them. Too much moisture can cause the leaves to turn yellow and the fruit to rot.
How do you use coffee grounds on tomato plants?
Coffee grounds are a natural product, and if used properly, they can be beneficial for your plants. You can sprinkle them around the base of your plants or even add them to the compost bin.
Coffee grounds are an excellent fertilizer for tomatoes, and will help to ward off fungal disease.
You may use coffee grounds as a foliar spray in the summer months, but they must be diluted with water before being sprayed.
Can I Sprinkle used coffee grounds on my plants?
Yes, you can. You can add used coffee grounds to the soil in order to help keep down insects and other pests. It will also improve the soil by increasing the nitrogen content of the soil.
Can I use coffee grounds in my herb garden?
Yes, you can use coffee grounds for your herbs. The grounds will break down and add a little organic fertilizer to the soil.
In addition, the grounds will give off a strong aroma that will deter animals from eating your plants. You can make your own coffee grounds by putting ground coffee into a paper bag and setting it outside for several weeks. If you don’t have time to wait for the coffee grounds to break down, you can buy them pre-ground. Look for coffee grounds that are labeled “compostable.”
October 13, 2021
Green Bean Inoculant
You may have heard a lot about green bean inoculant and you may be wondering how important this is to the growth of your green bean plant. But what exactly is inoculant? What role does it play and why should we consider using one for our green beans or peas?
Green beans, black beans, peas, and so on are all members of the legume (Fabaceae) family. These legumes are well known for their aid in fixing nitrogen into the soil.
This article will go over what you need to know about green bean inoculant and other related info. So, read on to gain some knowledge.
What Is An Inoculant?
An inoculant is a type of bacteria or fungus that is often applied or added to the soil through the process of coating bean seed or pea seed. Known as beans or peas boosters.
Usually, the inoculants often come in powder but you may also come across liquid inoculants.
Inoculants & Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria
Plants require nitrogen to make amino acids which is a building block for protein and other plant components. Ideally, we have 78% of nitrogen gas in the atmosphere. But the problem is that nitrogen is in the gas form and plants can’t use or assimilate this.
The bacteria such as Rhizobium will work with the root system of peas and beans by creating nodes along with their roots. These nodes are responsible for fixing nitrogen gas and will change the nitrogen gas into a usable form for plant use.
Normally, the roots nodules of legumes such as beans and peas already contain Rhizobium bacteria. Hence, they already have the ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere. So you may wonder if you really need to inoculate your green bean seed.
It may not be necessary to inoculate your green beans seeds. However, when you apply inoculants to their seeds, it makes sure the correct type of bacteria that is specific to that legume is available to the plant when they germinate.
Another important note you should always remember is that once you’ve been growing and producing beans in your garden, you really don’t need inoculants. This is because these bacteria are already living and thriving in your soil even after you’ve planted and harvested.
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Seed Inoculants
Inoculating seeds involves coating or covering the seed surface with nitrogen-fixing bacteria such as Rhizobium or Bradyrhizobium. Inoculating seeds with nitrogen-fixing bacteria is always done prior to planting.
Inoculant For Green Bean And Peas
There are many bacteria used in inoculation. The bacteria often used for inoculating legumes like beans are Rhizobium bacteria. Rhizobium is also a pea inoculant. Therefore, the Rhizobium bacteria will only work for peas and beans and can’t be used for any other types of plants.
Another kind of nitrogen-fixing bacteria is Acetobacter, and this is isolated from sugarcane stem and root. Another type is Bradyrhizobium japonicum and this is used in inoculating soybean for fixing nitrogen.
How To Use Inoculant On Green Bean & Pea
It’s pretty easy inoculating your green bean and pea seeds. Simply purchase your legume inoculant from your local nursery store or online. But take note that some legume seeds may have already been coated with an inoculant. So ensure you know the type of legume seed you have.
Always make sure you have the correct inoculant specific to the type of legume you will be planting. There are different inoculants specific to different plants. So, whenever you purchase inoculants, ensure you read the package to know the type of plant it will be treating.
Also look at the expiry date to ascertain the inoculant is still viable. Inoculants often come in fine, black powder sealed in a plastic bag. However, you may come across some liquid inoculants.
So, to inoculate seeds, plant your green bean or pea into the planting hole. Then put a good amount of inoculant into the hole with the legume seed. Done inoculating your legume seeds, cover the seed hole with soil.
Importance Of Inoculation
Here are the benefits you stand to gain when you use inoculants on your green beans or peas:
1. Normally, Rhizobium bacteria are present in many soils. But inoculating your legume seeds will ensure the correct or specific strain of bacteria required by that legume is present in the soil.
2. Seed inoculation will offer your legume plant stronger and bigger yields. It will also give you a healthy plant.
3. Inoculants make nitrogen more readily available for plants use.
4. Once, you’ve inoculated and planted a legume crop on a particular soil, there will be sufficient availability of the specific bacteria you’ve inoculated. This is because the bacteria will live and thrive in the soil so far they have an adequate supply of food. This means you should constantly till your soil and incorporate compost and green matter back into the soil.
What does inoculate mean when it comes to green beans?
If you are a gardener, you may be wondering whether you should inoculate your green beans. It is possible that you have never heard of this term, and if so, here’s what you need to know.
If you are not familiar with the term, “inoculating” means introducing beneficial microorganisms into a plant. This can be done in two ways: by planting seeds that have been treated with beneficial microbes, or by spraying the seeds with a solution that contains these microbes. You may already have seen sprout bags with seeds that have been treated with beneficial microbes. These seeds can be purchased online and at some garden centers. However, if you are just starting to grow your own green beans, you will need to purchase untreated seeds.
How do you Inoculate Green Beans?
There are many ways to inoculate your green beans. Some of the simplest include sprinkling a solution of beneficial microbes on the seed before planting it in the soil. However, you may want to consider using an alternative method if you are planning to plant several types of seeds at the same time.
If you are growing several different varieties of seeds, you might want to inoculate each variety separately. A few alternatives to sprinkling the seed with a solution of beneficial microbes include soaking the seeds in a solution of beneficial microbes, spraying the seed with a solution of beneficial microbes, or soaking the seed in a solution of beneficial microbes and then drying it.
Sprinkling a Solution of Beneficial Microbes on Seeds
Sprinkling seeds with a solution of beneficial microbes is probably the simplest way to inoculate seeds for your green beans. Sprinkle the seeds on the soil surface before planting them. You can use a bottle or other container to hold the beneficial microbes. The easiest type of beneficial microbes to use for this application are those that are sold as “seed inoculants”. These are simply solutions that contain beneficial microbes that are meant to be applied to seeds. However, if you have difficulty finding these types of beneficial microbes, you may be able to find another solution.
Some people use liquid kelp extract, a product called “Kelp Green Bean Starter”, or a product called “Green Bean Booster”. There are also many companies that sell products that contain beneficial microbes. Some of these include the following: BioGro Organic Gardening Supply Company (OGSC)
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What are beneficial microbes for spraying seeds?
You can spray seeds with a solution of beneficial microbes by using an atomizer. If you do not have an atomizer, you can buy one online. You can use a spray bottle, but you will need to shake it well before you use it. You can use a spray bottle without shaking, but you will need to shake it well to ensure that the solution is mixed evenly throughout the bottle. How to Inoculate Your Green Beans with Liquid Kelp Extract You can soak seeds in a solution of beneficial microbes by using kelp extract. You can purchase liquid kelp extract online and at some garden centers.
Additional Note On Green Bean Inoculant
Nitrogen is required by plants to make amino acid that is used to as a building block for proteins. Required for other essential components. Green bean and pea inoculant is an excellent way of supplying usable nitrogen into your soil.
However, not using inoculants on your legumes will not stop them from producing good yields. Matter of fact, many gardeners have grown legumes successfully without inoculating their seeds. This is because the bacteria for inoculating most plants are usually present in the soil.
Also, the garden that leguminous plants such as beans and pea have already been planted on may already have a good supply of Rhizobium in the soil. So it won’t be necessary to inoculate the soil.
Inoculants are simply boosters. Their work is to give you stronger and bigger yields. Therefore, if you want a larger and greater yield from your peas and beans, then you can use this inoculant. Also, if you have never grown leguminous crops such as beans and pea in your garden, inoculating the soil may be pretty beneficial.
September 30, 2021