As we all know, one of the key ingredients in healthy productive vegetable plants is proper amounts of nutrients. We provide these nutrients to the soil via fertilizer and compost. Anyone trying to grow a garden should know a few basic things about fertilizer.

There are 16 elements that plants need to grow. All but 6 are found in abundance in the air water and soil. Therefore, when you focus on plant nutrients, you should really focus on these 6 elements.

• Nitrogen
• Phosphorus
• Potassium (potash)
• Iron
• Zinc
• Sulfur

On most fertilizer packages you will see some combination of three numbers  (e.g. 16-16-8). This means that there is 16% nitrogen, 16% phosphorus and 8% potassium. Usually, fertilizers come with trace amounts of the others which can be found in the small print. Before buying fertilizer for your garden, it is a good idea to have your soil tested so you know what you need and how much of it. You can do this with your local extension office or buy a soil test kit. I would recommend having your extension office do it and don’t waste your money on the kits. The kits will probably tell you exactly what we already know, you need more nitrogen, phosphorus and maybe potassium and your pH is way too high. A professional test will tell you accurately and also tell you what exactly to add.  If you don’t this then I would recommend a general complete fertilizer that apparently is conducive to Utah soil according to Dr. Gordon Wells. 

• 3 parts 16-16-8
• 1 part Ironite

You would apply this at a rate of 1 quart per 180 sqft. Apply it like you are salting a steak.

Along with these elements, pH is a huge consideration for your soil. In Utah we have very alkaline soil. My pH is about 8 without amending the soil. Your plants usually like at 7 or below. Berries like it even lower like 6.5 or less. 

Ways to lower your pH are to add organic amendments like grass clippings, peat moss, compost, leaves etc. Another way is to add elemental sulfur (S) to your complete fertilizer mix. I use both methods. I add organics whenever I can and I add sulfur at the beginning or each season. You can buy sulfur pellets at most country/agricultural stores. I bought mine at the local IFA.

Adding sulfur to your soil will lower the pH by reacting with the micro-organisms and produce sulfuric acid. This acid will lower your pH. I add 1 quart per 180 sqft of this sulfur and twice that for my berry patches.

You will most likely only need to add complete fertilizers and sulfur to your soil which covers all 6 elements once a year. The only other consideration would be nitrogen. Nitrogen is soluble, which means it will leach down into the soil. Also the plants use this element a lot to grow, so it will go fast from your soil.  Therefore, you will need to add Nitrogen (Ammonium sulfate 20-0-0) to your soil for some plants during their growth. Check your specific plants to see which ones like additional feedings. Make sure to not over do it because you can kill your plants with too much nitrogen. Nitrogen is like salt in that too much of  it will prevent water from entering the roots of your plants. Again, check your plant’s needs in this regard. 

If you follow these basic principles, then your plants will produce so much better for you. Remember, these are the basics, you can get way more into if you want, but at least this knowledge will get you going and producing excellent vegetables.

Let me know how you do with it or if you have important points to add.

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