Knowledge from Olle Garden Bed: Three Methods of Adding Nitrogen to Soil

Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients in plants. Without enough nitrogen, it will be difficult for plants to grow and thrive. Fortunately, there are many ways to add nitrogen to the soil to make it easier for your plants to get the nutrients they need. The following content also has some reference value for raised garden beds.

Why is nitrogen important to soil health?

Nitrogen is an important element for plant growth and soil fertility. It is a key component of protein, enzyme and chlorophyll. Nitrogen is essential for many biochemical processes in plants, including photosynthesis, respiration and nitrogen fixation. Nitrogen is also a major participant in the global carbon cycle.

It is one of the most abundant elements in the earth's atmosphere, but plants cannot obtain it in this form. Nitrogen must be "fixed" by bacteria before it can be used by plants. This nitrogen fixation process converts atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use, such as nitrate or ammonium nitrogen.

Nitrogen fixing bacteria live in the roots of some plants, such as beans. These bacteria convert nitrogen into a form that plants can use. Plants then use this nitrogen to make proteins and other molecules.

More importantly, it is an important fertilizer for crops. When nitrogenous fertilizers are applied to the soil, they increase the amount of available nitrogen. It can help plants grow bigger and produce more fruits or grains. Nitrogen fertilizer can also improve the quality of fruits and vegetables.

raised garden bed

Methods of adding nitrogen to soil

  1. Composting

Composting is a great way to add nitrogen to the soil. It provides a slowly released form of nitrogen that is beneficial to plant growth. Composting also helps to improve soil structure and drainage, and can increase the content of organic matter in the soil.

To add compost to the soil, spread it on the surface and cultivate it. If you want to add compost to the existing garden bed, turn it over so that the roots of the plant can benefit from the nutrients.

Adding compost to your garden is a good way to add nitrogen and other essential nutrients to your plants. Compost is easy to use and can have a significant impact on plant health and vitality. You can also easily make it at home.

  1. Feces

You can use manure to add nitrogen to organic and traditional agricultural systems.

The main benefits of using manure to add nitrogen to the soil are:

Manure is a renewable resource.

It is relatively easy to apply to fields.

It adds important nutrients to the soil, including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. These nutrients are essential for plant growth.

Manure can improve soil structure, make it more porous and allow better root growth.

It can improve soil fertility.

When using manure to add nitrogen to the soil, follow these guidelines:

Use feces from healthy animals. Do not use the feces of sick animals or animals treated with antibiotics.

Apply manure at the recommended rate. Excessive use can damage plants and pollute water resources.

The excrement is mixed into the soil. This will help prevent runoff and leaching of nutrients.

Avoid applying manure on flooded or saturated soil. It may lead to pollution of water resources.

Use only well composted manure. Raw feces may contain harmful bacteria, which can cause human and animal diseases.

Do not fertilize the fields used for grain production within a year. Faeces may contain pathogens that may contaminate food crops.

Properly store feces. It will prevent it from polluting surface or groundwater resources.

  1. Green manure

Green manure is a kind of crop deliberately mixed with soil, but it is still green, so it is named. They are an excellent way to add nitrogen to the soil because they can be used as mulch crops, ploughed as green manure or made into liquid fertilizers. Green manure is rich in nitrogen and other nutrients, helping to improve soil structure and porosity.

There are many advantages to using green manure. They can help reduce soil erosion, improve water infiltration and drainage, increase organic matter, and encourage beneficial microbial activities. Green manure also helps control weeds and pests, which you can use as natural mulch.

raised garden beds

There are many kinds of green manure, including sweet clover, alfalfa, soybean and other beans. Grass, such as rye, oats and barley; And cover crops, such as buckwheat, pea and dark red clover. Each has its own unique advantages.

To add nitrogen to the soil with green manure, select your favorite type of green manure and plant it in your garden. Once it has grown and matured, you can plough it down or chop it up and add it to the compost pile. Alternatively, you can make liquid fertilizer by soaking green manure in water for several weeks.

Don't be afraid, get some nitrogen!

There are several different ways to add nitrogen to your garden, but one of them is the most important. Grab shit! If your plants look a little yellow and stunted, it may be time to add more nitrogen rich soil amendments. Choose one of the methods we include and start treating your precious plants with nitrogen now!