Note, however, that high-nitrogen fertilizers can lead to foliage overgrowth, so it should be swapped out for a lower nitrogen product later in the life cycle for fruiting plants. It’s also a good choice for starting fruiting crops such as tomatoes, peppers, and cucurbits as it supports development in the early stages of life. It promotes well-established roots and bulbs and gives the scapes a boost to support photosynthesis. Burpee Bone Mealīecause of its high nitrogen and phosphorus content (6-8-0 NPK), bone meal is great for alliums such as onions and garlic, which are long-season, heavy feeders. Other fertilizers can be used in conjunction with castings if deficiencies are found.īuying a packaged product is a perfectly viable option if the price isn’t a hindrance, but home worm farming is also a great way to go – and it’s a super fun project for the kiddos, too.įind bags of worm castings available for purchase in quantities of one-, five-, 10-, and 25-pounds at Arbico Organics. We’ve included one of these below, in addition to our top picks for organic gardening. Still, some types are trusted over others by gardeners who prefer chemical options. They’re also more likely to cause burning when overapplied. And they don’t usually build up in the soil.Ĭhemical fertilizers can also do the trick, but they come with added dangers such as potential environmental damage and buildup in the soil. They also tend to be more environmentally sustainable in other ways, causing less negative impact on wildlife and pollinator populations. No matter what your needs are, organic options are the better choice, and I’m an advocate for using these whenever possible.ĭerived from plants and other natural materials that are easier on your soil and the surrounding environment, these can be applied without added dangers, such as ecologically destabilizing chemical waste runoff that may contaminate groundwater and nearby waterways. If you’re new to growing pumpkins, a very basic and balanced 5-10-5 fertilizer applied moderately all through the growing season is much less intensive and should still yield good results.This list is by no means exhaustive, of course, but it’s an excellent starting point as you research the fertilizers that you will need to address the specific conditions in your space. Similarly, too much potassium can sometimes encourage pumpkins to grow faster than they’re meant to and cause them to explode right out of their skins!Īpply your fertilizer in moderation and wait to see what results a little gets you before adding a lot. Nitrogen promotes growth, but if you add too much, you risk burning your leaves or reducing flower growth. Feeding Pumpkin Plantsįertilizer is important, but sometimes a little can go a long way. When the actual pumpkins appear, use a potassium-rich fertilizer for healthy fruit. Once the flowers start to form, switch to a phosphorus-heavy fertilizer for plentiful blossoms. Apply a weekly nitrogen-heavy fertilizer early in the growing season to produce a healthy plant. Nitrogen promotes green growth, making for plenty of vines and leaves. When feeding pumpkin plants, apply three successive fertilizers, each heavy in one of those numbers, in that same order. These numbers represent nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, always in that order. Different nutrients promote different kinds of growth, however, so when fertilizing pumpkins, it’s important to pay attention to what stage of growth your pumpkin is in and feed it accordingly.Ĭommercial fertilizers come with three numbers on their packaging. Pumpkins are heavy feeders and will eat up whatever you give them. Keep reading to learn more about pumpkin fertilizer requirements. Fertilizing pumpkins is essential, as they will devour nutrients and run with them. You spend all summer tending your vine, and you want to get the most out of it that you can. Whether you’re after the great pumpkin that will win first prize at the fair, or lots of smaller ones for pies and decorations, growing the perfect pumpkin is an art form.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |