If you want to grow the most popular vegetables in your garden, you are probably wondering what is the best fertilizer for potatoes? Can you do without chemical fertilizers and only provide them with the necessary nutrients using organic products?
Which fertilizer for potatoes? Properly supply the popular vegetables
Potatoes are a versatile vegetable that is very popular because of their wide range of uses and ease of cultivation. However, they need lots of nutrients to grow healthily and ensure a bountiful harvest. The first addition is made when planting and should then be added again during the growth phase. You can find out which natural products you can use as potato fertilizer in the following article.
When should they be fertilized?
If you want to grow potatoes, you should start fertilizing early, about two weeks before planting. This gives enough time for the nutrients to be dissolved and absorbed into the soil. A slow-release fertilizer is best suited for this.
As soon as the plants outgrow the soil, fertilize again. If the soil is nutrient poor, repeat fertilization every few weeks during the growing season. Remember to water thoroughly after each fertilization to ensure the nutrients are absorbed. Stop supplying nutrients as soon as the plants begin to flower.
Compound
Compost is a rich source of organic matter that enriches the soil and improves its structure. You can work it into the soil in autumn or add some directly to the tuberswhen plantingscatter. Then simply cover with soil. Applying compost provides the versatile vegetable with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other nutrients that promote strong growth.
Cow or horse manure
Organic fertilizers such as cow and horse manure are also suitable for this. Since these are made from animal waste products, they are an environmentally friendly alternative to commercial fertilizers. These should best be incorporated into the upper layer of soil in autumn so that the microorganisms can decompose them by spring.
Tipp:Be careful that fresh manure can burn the roots, so it should not be applied after planting.
Grasschnitt
Grass clippings are another organic fertilizer for potatoes. If you don't treat your lawn chemically, the clippings after mowing are an excellent source of nitrogen. Just make sure it isn't too wet and either dig it into the ground before planting or use it as mulch around the plants.
Also read:Planting potatoes correctly: Helpful tips for a rich harvest in the vegetable garden!
Wood ash as fertilizer for potatoes
To give your potatoes a big boost, you can also use wood ash as fertilizer. It is rich in magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and calcium, but should be used sparingly as it can increase the pH of the soil. It is therefore recommended not to use more than 100 g per 1 square meter.
Before use, the ashes should be sieved to remove pieces of coal. It can then be sprinkled either on the ground before planting or around the plants during the growing season.
Nettle manure
If you have already provided the potatoes with nutrients when planting them, you can fertilize them with nettle manure during the growing season. This natural fertilizer contains potassium and nitrogen, which ensure healthy growth and strengthen plants.
You can easily prepare nettle manure yourself by soaking 1 kg of fresh leaves in 10 l of water. After about 10 days you should filter them. Dilute the homemade nettle manure with water in a ratio of 1:5 and water the potatoes with the solution every two weeks.
Commercially available vegetable fertilizers
However, if you want to use commercial fertilizers, choose a 4-6-10 liquid or granular fertilizer that meets the needs of the potatoes. Although chemical fertilizers work much faster, they can pollute the environment in larger quantities. Therefore, make sure to always choose an organic fertilizer that is exclusively of natural origin.
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