The law of the minimum
The agricultural scientist Carl Sprengel published the most important fertilizer rule 200 years ago: The Minimum Law. It says that the growth of plants is restricted by the proportionally least available resource (nutrients, light, air). This means that, for example, you cannot compensate for an existing iron deficiency by giving other minerals.
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Recognize deficiency symptoms
Often the lack of water or little light is not to blame for the fact that the leaves of the ornamental plants turn yellow or the abundant flowering is a long time coming. The yellow color of the leaves (chlorosis) is typical of the iron deficiency mentioned above. However, too much nutrients can also impair plant growth and have similar effects.
Valuable helper for targeted fertilization: the soil analysis
To be targeted fertilize It is important to know the nutritional content of the soil. You can have this reliably determined using a soil sample. You should always take the material for this before the first application of fertilizer and have it examined in a specialized laboratory. This costs between 20 and 50 EUR, depending on the scope.
Which fertilizer is suitable?
The most valuable fertilizer for the ornamental garden is self-made compost. You can apply this during the entire gardening year and supply the soil with all the important nutrients.
| Art | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Organic complete fertilizer | Consists of natural raw materials in an optimal composition. |
| Calcium cyanamide | Is used before the actual fertilization and keeps the pH value stable. |
| Cow or horse manure | Relatively balanced nutritional content. However, this fertilizer smells a bit pungent. |
| Horn shavings | It takes up to three months for the nitrogen and trace elements to be released. Many animal rights activists reject this fertilizer because it is often not clear from which husbandry the animals come. |
| Blue grain | Slow release fertilizerthat contains all the nutrients. Through seepage, this agent can pollute the groundwater with nitrate. |
| Liquid fertilizer | These are administered with the irrigation water. The special products provide certain plants with nutrients that are precisely tailored to their needs. |
| Epsom salt | Should only be used in cases of acute magnesium deficiency. |
When should the ornamental garden be fertilized?
Ornamental plants only need specific nutrients in the growth phase from the end of March to the end of August. If you fertilize later, it can happen that the plants do not prepare for winter dormancy in time and become susceptible to cold damage.
- In spring from the end of March you can fertilize with nitrogen emphasis. For this purpose, you can use the compost or horn semolina Horn shavings(€ 32.93 at Amazon *) add.
- Potassium is important in late summer. How much of this trace element should be contained in the fertilizer depends on the nature of the soil.
Tips
If there is no space for a composter in your garden, you can alternatively consider purchasing a worm box. In this box, the little residents process almost everything that is produced in the kitchen as compostable waste. Within a few months, this produces valuable vermicompost that you can use as fertilizer in the ornamental garden.
