- 1). Test soil to determine its pH level and whether it is clay, loam or sand. Send a sample of your soil to the local county extension office, which will return an analysis of your soil, along with recommendations for specific soil amendments and fertilizer needed to bring your soil to its optimum fertility.
- 2). Decide which type of fertilizer to use on your crops. Dry fertilizers are meant to be applied dry, directly to the surface of the soil. Water-soluble fertilizers are meant to be mixed with water and either watered into the plants' roots or sprayed on their foliage. They require different amounts and application methods, often using different timetables.
- 3). Determine the fertilizer needs of the particular crops you are growing. Group plants together that have similar fertilization requirements.
- 4). Measure the growing space in terms of square feet, whether you are gardening intensively or using the traditional row method. To calculate the square feet of a traditional row, multiply the length by 1 foot for small crops like greens and carrots, and multiply the length by 1.5 feet for larger crops such as tomatoes and peppers.
- 5). Convert the fertilizer manufacturer's recommended rates of application to the size of your growing bed or row. If the manufacturer recommends 2 lbs. for 100 square feet of growing space and your plot measures 25 square feet, apply 1/2 lb. of fertilizer because 100 divided by 25 equals 4, or one-fourth the amount needed for 100 square feet.
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