What is a good source of nitrogen,calcium and magnesium that can help plants grow?
Posted on July 29th, 2010 in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
voicesXD♠: What is a good source of nitrogen,calcium and magnesium that can help plants grow?
Aside from coffee grounds,what other sources have these which can be added to plants?
Best answer:
Answer by daylily
Have you had your soil tested? Some additives, even natural and organic, can actually hinder healthy plant growth if overdone. Your local extension office will help with this for a minimal fee.
Let your plants tell you what they need (Blossom-end rot on tomatoes indicates a calcium or magnesium deficiency, yellowing but otherwise healthy leaves means more nitrogen is required).
What are you growing–vegetables, flowers, shrubs? Some like an alkaline soil, some need acid.
Coffee grounds, if not over-used, are beneficial, but slightly acid. Eggshells supply calcium. Epsom salts contain magnesium. Green materials such as vegetable parings and grass clippings are rich in nitrogen, but can pull it and can burn plants if applied directly or when too green.
If you want to fertilize naturally, the best thing you can do is keep a compost pile, and work the finished compost into planting soil.
One Response
Greensand– An organic fertilizer which is a good source of iron, potassium, and trace minerals. Mined from ancient seabeds.
greensand, 40#
Fish Emulsion– A concentrated organic fertilizer made from fish or fish by-products. Combine it with seaweed will make an excellent fertilizer. NPK approx. 4-1-1 to 7-2-2.
Aragonite
location for aragonite is Molina de Aragón (Guadalajara, Spain), 25 km outside Aragon.
It exists naturally in the shells of chiton and other mollusks.
Contains 94-97% calcium carbonate.
Epsom Salts– Hydrated magnesium sulfate, used as a fast acting source of magnesium and sulfur. These are elements that are needed in the soil. Excellent organic fertilizer.
Coffee Grounds– People are finding that a long tossed substance is rich in nitrogen and can be used in the garden and compost piles. Check with your local coffee shop for a steady supply of grounds.
Seaweed– A saltwater plant, when grounded, will stimulate root growth and has over 60 trace minerals needed by plants. This organic fertilizer when combined with fish emulsion will make the best complete fertilizer. Try it at these good prices, try Seaweed-many different brands
Chilean Nitrate of Soda, also known as Natural Nitrate of Soda, is a highly soluble, quick acting granular fertilizer that is 16 percent nitrogen. It is also high in sodium so do not use it on arid soils where salt buildup is likely or on plants that are sensitive to salt. Chilean nitrate is mined from a desert in northern Chile, most likely the only known deposit of this mineral salt. It should not be depended upon as the only source of nitrogen. Applying this nitrate mixed with an organic amendment like cocoa meal, peanut meal or compost will add to the efficiency of both products.
Azomite– (0-0-2.5, 5% Calcium)
A natural, odorless, volcanic mineral rich in trace elements.
May be used with potting soil, indoor plants, gardens, and mix in with compost and your favorite organic fertilizer.
Apply to gardens at 1 pound per 10 square feet, houseplants you want to use 1 teaspoon in water every 3 months.