Contents
Ammonium nitrate for garlic in the spring is a granular fertilizer that provides a quick saturation of the soil with a readily available form of nitrogen, which the crop needs to build up the vegetative mass and increase the size of the bulbs. To ensure the effectiveness of top dressing, you need to know the rules for using this agrochemical.
Nitrogen deficiency in the soil can be determined by the appearance of the plant
Is it possible to feed garlic with ammonium nitrate in spring
At the beginning of the growing season, all crops, including bulbs, need nitrogen, which plants need for rapid growth and active growth of the ground part.
Feeding garlic in early spring with ammonium nitrate helps to satisfy this need, containing, in addition to nitrogen (30%), other minerals – sulfur (15%), calcium, potassium and magnesium, which are also involved in the process of plant vegetation. Sulfur promotes better nitrogen absorption, while calcium and magnesium help increase resistance to common diseases.
It is for this reason that the use of this agrochemical in the process of spring feeding is one of the important measures in the agricultural technology of culture.
Small granules help fill the deficiency of nutrients in the soil
Advantages
Ammonium nitrate as a fertilizer for garlic is not without reason considered one of the favorite preparations for gardeners and gardeners for spring dressing. In addition to the rapid saturation of the soil with nitrogen, this mineral complex has a number of other advantages:
- contains minerals necessary for active growth, full development, as well as fruiting of bulbous plants;
- this is a relatively inexpensive and affordable product for feeding both spring and winter garlic, which can be bought at any garden store;
- using such a mineral fertilizer is easy and simple (can be used dry or in the form of an aqueous solution);
- the drug dissolves well not only in water, but also in moist soil;
- versatility of fertilizer (can be used to feed almost all horticultural crops);
- this agrochemical can be combined with potash and phosphate fertilizers, creating a complete NPK complex.
Unlike organic substances, which have a beneficial effect only at positive temperatures, ammonium nitrate (another name for ammonium nitrate) works in any weather. That is why in the spring, when winter garlic experiences the so-called mineral starvation, this fertilizer is used to feed it.
Top dressing with ammonium nitrate does not take much time
Disadvantages
Despite the large number of advantages, ammonium nitrate also has disadvantages.
The main disadvantage of this agrochemical is its ability to disrupt the structure of the soil. As a result of prolonged use of saltpeter, salts accumulate in the soil and its acidity increases. And too acidic soil, as you know, creates the likelihood of developing fungal diseases.
The list of disadvantages also includes the fact that this fertilizer is quickly washed out by groundwater, which sometimes becomes the reason that the plant does not have time to get the amount of mineral elements it needs. Experts do not recommend watering garlic with saltpeter too often in the spring, because this can threaten with excessive growth of the vegetative mass to the detriment of fruiting.
In addition, fertilizing the soil in the beds with bulbous crops with this preparation alone will not be able to satisfy the need of plants for other microelements. In this regard, there is a need to use additional mineral complexes.
Use saltpeter strictly according to the instructions
Terms of feeding garlic with ammonium nitrate
The timing of spring feeding of garlic with ammonium nitrate varies depending on the type of crop. So, for example, winter garlic is fertilized immediately after the snow melts.
The spring crop is fed for the first time at planting time, by placing fertilizer into the soil before making planting furrows.
In the future, plantings are regularly fed with saltpeter throughout the entire growing season, using it as the main fertilizer or an additional source of nutrients.
The second time fertilizers are applied three weeks after germination (for spring garlic) or three weeks after the first feeding (for winter).
The third time the plant is fed two weeks after the formation of garlic greens. And in the latter, saltpeter is introduced into the soil no later than 14 days before harvesting.
Fertilizer can be diluted with compost
Soil preparation
In order for top dressing to benefit garlic, the soil must be properly prepared before adding ammonium nitrate to it.
3-4 days before planting a spring crop, granules are embedded in the soil at the rate of 40 g of dry matter per 1 sq. m. When using organic substances (compost, rotted manure, etc.) during planting, the rate of saltpeter for garlic is halved.
For spring top dressing of winter garlic, the beds are watered with an aqueous solution of fertilizer on pre-moistened soil.
How to dilute ammonium nitrate for feeding garlic
The process of preparing an aqueous solution of ammonium nitrate is not particularly difficult. To do this, 30 g of a dry preparation is diluted in a small amount of water. After complete dissolution of the granules, an additional amount of liquid is added so that the total volume of the fertilizer is 10 liters.
Wear gloves when handling chemicals
How to feed garlic with ammonium nitrate
Ammonium nitrate is a small white granules that dissolve without residue. In addition, ammonium nitrate is able to saturate the soil with nitrogen only after interaction with water.
There are several ways to apply fertilizer to the soil:
- In dry form directly into the ground when planting spring garlic. This will be the first feeding.
- Dry in the snow (the first dressing of winter garlic).
- In the grooves made between the rows of garlic. In this case, dry granules are embedded in the soil to a depth of 3 cm, and then watered abundantly (gardeners recommend using this method for the second top dressing).
- Foliar application with an aqueous solution of the drug (for the third and fourth).
It is possible to feed garlic with ammonium nitrate on a leaf only if there are obvious signs of nitrogen starvation (yellowing of leaves, growth retardation, deterioration in the general condition of plants). This procedure should be carried out very carefully so as not to burn the flower arrows.
Ammonium nitrate can be mixed with potassium (potassium sulphate) or phosphorus (superphosphate) preparations to prepare a complete NPK complex. However, they should be connected immediately before embedding in the soil.
The method of applying fertilizer depends on the time of feeding
Gardeners’ recommendations
Despite the generally accepted rules for growing garlic, professional vegetable growers are constantly coming up with new ways to increase the yield of this crop.
To get a good harvest of large bulbs, gardeners recommend:
- Feed garlic in the spring with ammonium nitrate in combination with urea. This will not only increase the yield, but also improve the taste of the fruit.
- Do not spray plants with a solution of this agrochemical without special need during the formation of arrows.
- When using a dry preparation, be sure to incorporate ammonium nitrate into the soil. Otherwise, nitrogen will quickly evaporate, and top dressing will be useless.
How to feed garlic with ammonium nitrate, you can watch the video.
Storage
Store ammonium nitrate in a tightly closed package in a well-ventilated dry and cool place.
Given the explosive nature of the substance, the drug should be protected from mechanical influences (shocks, shocks, shaking). In addition, it is not recommended to keep it near flammable materials.
The shelf life of the dry matter is six months, the finished working solution quickly loses its useful properties, so it should be used throughout the day.
Saltpeter storage should be given special attention
Conclusion
Ammonium nitrate for garlic in the spring is a good way to eliminate nitrogen starvation and actively grow the crop. The correct dosage and proper application of this fertilizer will help to get an excellent harvest of large and juicy heads.