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What kind of fertilizers should I use?

Measuring Fertilizer

No matter how the soil is fertilized, whether by compost, organic matter, or fertilizer from a bag, the elements used by plants are the same. On a molecular level, nitrogen is nitrogen, regardless of its source. What is important is that plants receive an accurate and proper balance of the required nutrients.

The elements used in Dr. Mittleider’s fertilizers are obtained from commercial sources. Twelve of the thirteen nutrients plants get from the soil occur naturally in the soil and are mined and then packaged and sold commercially.

Dr. Mittleider recommends the following four-step strategy for applying fertilizers. You will learn how to mix the Pre-Plant and Weekly-Feed fertilizers later.

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Step 1: Pre-Plant Fertilizing Before planting, apply pre-plant fertilizers to the grow-boxes and mix with the soil. At this time you should fertilize with the Pre-Plant Fertilizer as well as an application of the Weekly-Feed Fertilizer

Step 2: Transplant Fertilizing After transplanting seedlings, apply 8 ounces (1 cup) ammonium nitrate fertilizer (34-0-0) in a narrow band between rows in each grow-box. This will help jump-start the young seedlings.

Step 3: Weekly Fertilizing After crops are in the soil, apply only the Weekly-Feed Fertilizer on a regular basis, every 7 days.

Step 4: Special-Need Fertilizing If plants show symptoms of nutritional deficiencies, apply corrective fertilizing formulas in addition to the Weekly-Feed Fertilizer.

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Tip of the Day

It's Spring Planting Time! For those of you in the Northern hemisphere who have winters, March and early April are the time you need to be preparing your soil and planting the hardy vegetable crops such as radishes, peas, cabbage and broccoli.

The freeze/thaw cycles of winter have broken up and loosened most soils, so as soon as it's not muddy, go in and give everything a good weeding with the 2-way hoe (see Tools). Weeding thoroughly this early gives you the upper hand, and is very important.

If you grew a Mittleider garden last year, your beds will be easy to re-make. Just apply Pre-Plant and Weekly Feed to the bed area, then till them in, place strings on your stakes, and re-make the beds.

Be sure to re-check the level of each bed accurately, since they may have changed a little. Do not be satisfied with anything more than 1" fall in a 30'-long soil-bed. Good Gardening!

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