Potassium chloride fertilizer: application in the garden and vegetable garden

What are the fertilizers

Potassium preparations are divided into several types and subspecies depending on the method of processing and the content of the main component. According to the types of fertilizers, they are divided into: concentrated, complex, raw potash ores and industrial waste. Concentrated products include:

1. Potassium chloride. Contains up to 65% pure substance. The advantages of the mixture include the maximum availability of elements for plants due to the combination of the main component with chlorine. The disadvantages include the presence of the same chlorine, which immediately after application is harmful to many crops. Therefore, it is recommended to use chlorine only in the fall, so that it has time to evaporate and wash out with rain.
2. Potassium sulfate. Contains about 50% base material and about 20% sulfur. It is considered the most effective for all types of crops, as it does not contain chlorine. It is used in the spring as the main fertilizer immediately before planting vegetables and seedlings.
3. Potassium salt. The main substance contains approximately 40%. Suitable for all crops, except those sensitive to chlorine. Salt is applied to the soil in the fall when preparing the site for winter.

The most valuable in vegetable growing are complex preparations, which include:

1. Potassium nitrate. The main substance is 38%, nitrogen – 13%, does not contain chlorine. It is considered the best means for feeding greenhouse plants, but it is also possible to use it in open ground when planting seedlings.
2. Kalimagnesia. Contains up to 28% of the main substance and 16% of magnesium. It is well absorbed by plants, therefore it is often used as a basic fertilizer, especially on sandy soils, and also as an emergency aid for magnesium deficiency.
3. Nitrophoska. In addition to the main substance, it contains phosphorus and nitrogen. It is a universal remedy for most garden, fruit and berry crops, can be used on any soil.

Raw potash ores include salts obtained in the process of mechanical grinding of ore: sylvinite and kainite. These substances are distinguished by a relatively low content of the main component (10-18%), but at the same time they contain various impurities important for plants, as well as a high concentration of the chloride component. Industrial waste includes cement dust and furnace ash, which are also highly valued:

1. cement dust. Contains up to 20% pure potassium component, chloride is completely absent. Its use is most effective on acidic soils, as well as when growing potatoes.
2. Ash. In addition to the main substance, it contains many useful elements: phosphorus, iron, copper, calcium, magnesium and others. It is the most affordable and economical means for rural residents. Can be applied to any plant. It is introduced into the soil in the fall, and then in the form of solutions in the summer.

Video “Useful information about feeding”

Informative video in which you can hear useful information about potassium fertilizer.

When to add potassium

Potassium preparations, undoubtedly have a positive effect on all plants. But, due to the fact that most of these products contain a chloride component, its use can harm some plants and soils. It is recommended to fertilize the soil with potassium chloride only in autumn and in strictly limited quantities, since chlorine is harmful to many garden crops. Prolonged use of the drug adversely affects the condition of the soil – it can become acidic. In addition, potassium chloride contributes to the accumulation of salts in the soil.

Despite these shortcomings, one cannot do without potassium chloride fertilizer on sandy, podzolic, peat and sandy soils, where productivity is achieved only by applying fertilizer mixtures.

There are also vegetables that, in the process of ripening, absorb a lot of potassium substances, which leads to soil depletion. With a deficiency of potassium, plants become weak, their growth and development is disturbed. You can determine the lack of a potassium component in the soil by the appearance of plants:

• leaves lose chlorophyll, become wrinkled, reddish spots appear on them, the edges dry out and turn brown;

• stems weak, poorly developed, curved, pale colored;

• the root system is weak, poorly developed, which is why the plant is weakly fixed in the soil – it can be easily pulled out;

• the fruits are small, long and poorly developed;

• plants get sick, greens are covered with various blooms.

Instructions for use

Before feeding plants with potassium chloride, it is recommended to carefully study the instructions – this will help to correctly calculate the required dosage. General recommendations for the use of potassium preparations are as follows:

• dry mixes are incorporated into the soil by mixing granules with wet soil;

• in autumn, the soil should be fertilized with potassium chloride at the rate of 100-200 g / 10 sq. m. area, for spring application, the norm is 25-35 g / 10 sq. m.;

• potassium salt is applied to the soil under beets, carrots, cabbage, celery at the rate of 20-40 g/m. sq.;

• potassium sulphate is applied to any crops at a dosage of 12-20 g/m. sq.;

• complex preparations are applied to the soil at the rate of 15-20 g/m. sq., directly into the hole under the plant – 4-7 g / linear meter;

• potash funds are not recommended to be combined with chalk, lime, dolomites;

• when working with the substance, precautions should be taken: use a respirator, goggles and rubber gloves.

Plant compatibility

Potassium is necessary for all plants, but most of all for root crops: potatoes, sugar and table beets. At the same time, the fresh chloride component is harmful to most root crops, therefore, only potash preparations that do not contain chlorine are introduced before spring planting. It is they who will contribute to the accumulation of starch and sugar in the tubers without harming the crops.

Soil fertilization with potassium chloride significantly increases the yield of cereal crops: sunflowers, barley, millet. Wheat, rye, rice, buckwheat require relatively little of it. Complementary feeding with potash preparations is necessary for ornamental garden plants and perennial flowers – introduced in the fall, they help plants survive the winter safely. It is not recommended to fertilize with potassium chloride crops that are sensitive to chlorine:

• vegetables: cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes;

• berry plants: gooseberries, currants, grapes, raspberries;

• beans;

• lettuce crops.

Potassium bait of these plants should be carried out using preparations without chlorine. 

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