![]() For Neptune’s Harvest, the dilution ratio is 1 tablespoon of fertilizer to every 1-gallon water. To apply the fish emulsion, I dilute the fertilizer in a 5-gallon bucket. It sounds kind of gross and, believe me, it doesn’t smell or look all that great, but the plants love it so I can’t complain too much. This fertilizer is a fish emulsion fertilizer and is made of fish that have been ground up and processed into a liquid. Seedlings that are too young are much more susceptible to fertilizer burns.įor seedlings in plug trays, I like to use Neptune’s Harvest. Wait until they are at least 2 weeks old before adding any amendments. When your pepper seedlings first emerge from the ground, don’t fertilize them right away. Ratios will vary depending on the fertilizer you’re using but in general, you only need about 1 tablespoon of fertilizer per gallon of water. To dilute a liquid fertilizer, first, check the packaging for the correct measurements and ratios. Liquid fertilizers cannot be applied directly to your pepper plants because they are heavily concentrated and therefore must be diluted.ĭilution is the process of adding water to your fertilizer to make it significantly less concentrated. Liquid fertilizers are exactly what they sound like. This means that they slowly break down in the soil over time and don’t provide all of their fertilization at once.īecause of this, they don’t need to be applied as often as many liquid fertilizers do. The important thing to note about granular fertilizers is that they’re usually slow-release. Granular fertilizers look like small pellets that can be applied as-is on the surface of the soil where your peppers are planted. There are two main forms that fertilizer usually comes in, granular and liquid. Depending on what stage of growth your peppers are in, the type and amount of fertilizer you use will vary. Now that we’ve gone over the boring stuff, let’s get to the peppers. Keep in mind that home soil tests may not be as accurate as lab testing, but they should give you a good place to start. If you don’t have an extension agency nearby, then you can order basic soil tests online and test your soil at home. They’ll be able to tell you what nutrients your soil may be lacking or have excess in as well as offer you advice on the best amendments for your soil. ![]() To get an accurate picture of the makeup of your soil, try to get your soil tested through your local agriculture extension agency. Knowing what nutrients are in your soil (or aren’t) will play a crucial part in dictating what fertilizers and amendments need to be added if any. Soil testingīefore applying ANY kind of fertilizer, do a soil test. If a fertilizer has an NPK ratio of 5-10-10 it means that it is made up of 5% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, and 10% potassium. The first number represents N, the second number represents P, and the third number represents K. These numbers represent the macronutrients we just went over. When purchasing fertilizer, you’ll notice that the packaging will have 3 numbers on it. While nitrogen is best for foliage growth, phosphorus and potassium often work together in fruit development. ![]() Potassium (K) makes it possible for your plants to transport any water or nutrients between the roots, stem, and leaves. Phosphorus (P) is what helps the plant take in the sun’s energy and ultimately makes it grow. It’s thanks to nitrogen that your plants grow to be big, bushy, and full. Nitrogen (N) is crucial in the development of foliage and leaf growth. These nutrients are what are known as macronutrients meaning plants need mostly these three to grow. There are 3 key nutrients that your pepper plants need to survive and thrive: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. So, let’s get into it! Understanding soil nutrients ![]() I’ll also talk about some good natural fertilizer options as well as explain what you need to do if you accidentally over-fertilize your plants. I’ll go over everything you need to know about fertilizing your pepper plants to hopefully make it easier on you. We’re gardeners after all, not chemists.īut don’t worry! Let this article be a starting point for understanding the ins and outs of fertilizer. When it comes to understanding fertilizer, it can sometimes be difficult to grasp all of the complex nutrients, dilutions, and ratios needed to grow healthy pepper plants. As an Amazon Associate earns from qualifying purchases. ![]()
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