When, with what and how do you do it right?

The most important rules when fertilizing

Almost all plant nutrients are in the soil, but through harvesting and removing the The gardener also removes the nutrients bound in them, so that gradually the Empty soil supplies. The sense and purpose of fertilization is therefore to repeatedly replenish the soil reserves in a targeted manner.

Match fertilization to the plant species

Basically, garden plants (and thus also vegetable plants) are divided into high-consumption, medium-consumption and low-consumption. This distinction tells you how many nutrients a plant needs. Use preferably organic or organic-mineral Complete fertilizerwhich you prepare for heavy consumers according to the manufacturer's instructions, for medium consumers in half the dose and for weak consumers in a quarter of the dose. Avoid over-fertilization of the soil, because on the one hand phosphates and Co. accumulate in the soil - and on the other hand Both overfeeding and malnutrition can lead to stunted growth and an increased susceptibility to disease and

Pest infestation to lead. In addition, typical over-fertilization diseases can occur, which ultimately reduce the yield.

Which vegetables need how much fertilizer?

The following table shows which vegetables need a lot and which need little fertilizer. Consider composting your garden fertilize, the additional complete fertilizer used for heavy and medium consumers should be reduced by half. In this case, poor consumers no longer receive any complete fertilizer. If you regularly spread two to three liters of compost per square meter in spring, you can do without the complete fertilizer altogether and instead use up to 150 grams for heavy consumers Horn shavings(€ 32.93 at Amazon *) Apply up to 100 grams per square meter and for average consumers.

Very few gardeners know the exact pH value of their garden soil. Nevertheless, the soil should be limed occasionally, and this happens with regular compost use according to this scheme: Sprinkle every two to three years in early fall a slow acting one Lime fertilizer(€ 9.70 at Amazon *) according to the manufacturer's dosage instructions. If in doubt, the dosage should be a little lower.

Have your garden soil examined

Basically, it is a good idea to have the soil examined by a specialist laboratory about every four years and then to get tips for soil-appropriate fertilization. A soil examination is due at the latest when the vegetable plants frequently show stunted growth or lightening of the leaves or even crop failures with incomprehensible causes occur.