Roots Demystified
Author: Robert Kourik Copyright: 2008 Publisher: Metamorphic Press, Occidental, CA Buy from Amazon: <br />
Archives
How to Calculate Fertilizer Amendments Needed
calculate the molecular weight (mw) of the molecule: Example fertilizer: Nitrate (NO3) 1 Nitrogen = 1 x 14 = 14 3 Oxygen = 3 x 16 = 48 14 + 48 = 62 calculate the % element in the molecule: Example: NO3 = 62 N / NO3 = 14 /62 = 22.5% => 22.5% N […]
Soil Testing
Every season, with every plant you grow, nutrients are used up or leached out by water. Doing a soil test when preparing for the next season is the only way to know what nutrients need replenishing. Sampling Your Soil Whether using a home test kit or sending your soil to a lab, your soil test […]
Organic Matter
Organic matter is the result of decomposition. Composted materials are organic matter. Humus is the stable endpoint of decomposition for organic material. Not a lot is known about humus, chemically. It is incredibly variable, so it’s hard to analyze. Basically it is the remaining resistant bits leftover after all of the easier to rot stuff […]
The Intelligent Gardener
Author: Steve Solomon with Erica Reinheimer Copyright: 2013 Publisher: New Society Publishers Buy from Amazon: <br />
Plant Nutrition & Soil Fertility Manual
Author: J. Benton Jones Jr. Copyright: 2012 Publisher: CRC Press Buy from Amazon: <br />
Cationic Exchange Capacity
The soil’s ability to store certain essential elements for plant growth is measured by its TOTAL CATIONIC EXCHANGE CAPACITY. Elements that are positively charged when in their ionic form are called cations. Here are the cationic elements of interest for plant growth: Calcium (Ca++) Magnesium (Mg+) Potassium (K+) Sodium (Na+) Copper (Cu++) Iron (Fe+++) Manganese […]
Plant Nutrition 101
Essential Elements There are 13 essential elements for plant growth: 6 are considered Major Elements: Nitrogen (N) Phosphorous (P) Sulfur (S) Potassium (K) Calcium (Ca) Magnesium (Mg) 7 are considered Micronutrients: Iron (Fe) Manganese (Mn) Copper (Cu) Zinc (Zn) Molybdenum (Mo) Boron (B) Chlorine (Cl) These elements are primarily taken up through the roots Root […]
Sodium (Na)
is not one of the essential elements required by plants alkaline soils (pH > 7) with high sodium levels are often deficient in calcium 1 meq = 460 lbs sodium should be at 1-2% of CEC; the lower end if your water supply has >5 ppm, or if you’re in arid or semi-arid climateIG too much […]
Aluminum (Al)
aluminum is considered a trace element in soil fertility and plant nutrition because it is found in relatively low concentrations in plant tissue, and is not one of the 13 essential elements required for plant growth it is a major soil constituent, and if it’s concentration is too high in the soil, it can be […]