Fertilizer. You’re going to need it.
A lot of people will tell you to get your soil tested before you begin growing vegetables on your property, but that feels so overwhelming to most home gardeners. And really, everyone who decides to garden just wants to get started and not wait for test results. Yes, it IS a good idea, but unless you really suspect your soil is contaminated* you can certainly get started and look into soil testing if you encounter a problem.
I like to garden as organically as possible, so I rely on three forms of soil enrichment: compost, chicken poop and Alaska Liquid Fish Fertilizer. I’ve had such success with fish fertilizer that I just don’t recommend anything else anymore. (Look for my other posts on compost and chicken poop).
The first thing you should know – it stinks!
I mean like really, really smelly. Like so smelly that a 10 year-old boy would love to have a little vial of it on the school bus so he could freak out the girls and then pass it around to all his friends so they can make vomiting noises. But once you apply it, it dissipates quickly. The smell does not hang around long.
Secondly, it lasts. A whole gallon is only about $35 and I can use one container to treat all my seedlings and my enormous garden almost all season. If you have a few raised beds, this one purchase could last several years! (If you want a smaller container, I like this brand too.)
Third and final reason, it works. My plants grow tall and strong with tons of fruit every year. If the leaves of my zucchini look a little pale, they green right up after an application. If we have a ton of rain and I am concerned that I need to balance out all that water with some nutrients, one treatment gets us back on track.
Fertilizer, both chemical and organic, consists of 3 components, and you’ll see 3 numbers on every package that communicate the amounts: Nitrogen(N), Phosphorus(P) and Potassium(K). So the numbers 5-12-0 would indicate a ratio of 6 parts nitrogen, 12 parts phosphorus and 0 parts potassium. 10-10-10 would be equal parts of everything. Nitrogen is what makes our world green.
All your plants need nitrogen to grow, but be informed – too much nitrogen and green is all you’ll get.
If your plants are growing like crazy and spilling over with leafy green gorgeousness, but no flowers or fruit, too much nitrogen may be the cause.
Phosphorus comes to the rescue in these situations. It promotes strong roots and flower production while Potassium supports overall plant health. Alaska Fish Fertilizer is 3-1-1 so my plants get a dose of much needed nitrogen accompanied by a shot of P and K for balance. If you are not seeing the flower production you need, you can also try Neptune Harvest Fish and Seaweed Fertilizer which boasts a 2-3-1 ratio, giving you that important Phosphorus boost you are looking for.
I apply fish fertilizer with my watering can according to package instructions, which is simply mixing it with water. No fancy sprayers or equipment. I treat my seedlings a few times while they are still babies and my entire garden once per week.
I urge you to give this affordable product a try in your own garden and please, let me know if you have questions!
*If you have any reason to believe your soil is contaminated with lead, arsenic or any dangerous element, please test before you plant crops for human consumption!
PS. This post contains links to buy the products I love. If you buy from the link, I get a little tiny bit of money at no extra cost to you.