For healthy and vigorous growth plants need regular feeds of manure and fertilizers, both of which compliment each other.
The composition of soil falls into two main types, either clay or sandy and can easily be identified visually and by feel. Both types can be acidic or alkaline and soil testing kits which are simple to use are readily available.
The first step in preparing your soil for planting is to apply manure whether yor soil is clay or sandy.
Manure is organic matter obtained froom animals and plants. When dug into soil it breaks down into humus, which binds small particles of soil together leaving space for water and air to circulate around the plant roots. Soil contains bacteria which converts humus into soluble salts which the plant roots absorb. Well manured sandy soil will retain essential moisture and salts for longer periods by regular application whereas clay soil will be broken down to provide better drainage and avoidance of roots becoming waterlogged.
Without manure plants in sandy soil will not obtain the necessary nutrients as the water containing the salts will drain away too fast and in clay the soil will become hard with no pockets to retain water and salts which plant roots can reach.
Depending upon whether the soil is acid or alkaline, plant growth can be encouraged by the application of either general fertilizers, which will meet most needs, or specific chemical fertilizers.
Plants require numerous nutrients, principally the salts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. These can be purchased seperately or in combination, but in general, gardeners will use products that contain all three. General fertilizers are otainable either for application to the plants foliage by watering can or its roots by spreading on the soil. Some plants require extra supplements of a particular nutrient, for example tomatoes flourish on addditional potash.
Plants also need calcium,sulphur and magnesium and trace elements of iron, manganese, copper, zinc, molybdenum and boron. You will need to familiarise yourself with the requirements of the varieties of plants and vegetables you intend to grow, but as plants fall into general categories you can easily and quickly learn their particular needs, and recognise the signs they will show if suffering from any deficencies.
Unless using a foliar feed which will necessitate adding water in the recommended quantity (which should be adhered to) fertilizers should be spread evenly over the surface adjacent to the plants. Certain fertilizers, and in particular sulphate of ammonia which can scorch, should be watered in.
Such is the variety and composition of commercially available fertilizers that as a note of caution, do familiarize yourself with the instructions on the labels.
Regular manuring will keep your plants and garden happy.
J.Lloyd - publisher