An effective assistant for gardeners: potassium sulfate fertilizer and its application
Content
Substance properties
The properties of potassium sulfate are determined by its composition, namely, the fact that more than 50% of the total mass belongs to potassium. The fertilizer does not contain chlorine, which makes its use absolutely harmless to plants and humans. The introduction of root and foliar dressings of potassium sulfate in fruits gives an increased sugar and vitamin content. Plus, additional nutrition helps protect plants from the harmful effects of pathogenic bacteria and gray mold.
Perennial plants are in dire need of additional feeding in order to successfully overwinter, so the use of potassium sulfide in the garden in this case will be very effective. Autumn fertilization for fruit trees and shrubs allows you to perfectly cope even with severe frosts. The high content of potassium in the mineral fertilizer has a particularly beneficial effect on the crops of the cruciferous family. The absence of chlorine and the insignificant presence of sulfur oxide makes it possible to introduce an agrochemical for feeding turnips, all types of cabbage, radishes and other representatives of this family. In addition to potassium and sulfur, the mineral fertilizer contains impurities of other equally useful elements: iron, sodium and calcium. Potassium sulfate is recommended for acidic soils.
How to use potassium sulfate
Potassium sulfate can be used for feeding many crops, and responsiveness to fertilization allows you to get really rich harvests even on poor soils. However, it is still worth making an agrochemical in strict proportions, depending on the type of soil where the plant grows. It is not recommended to apply on heavy loamy soils.
If we are talking about root feeding, then its use is recommended in the fall. It must be produced by removing the top layer of soil by 10-30 cm. For feeding already adult crops, you can use pits - these are vertical canals that are made at an angle of 45 degrees around the plant, to the root system. Then the fertilizer is diluted in the required proportions and poured into the prepared wells. Fertilizing of fruit trees is carried out directly during planting, that is, a prepared agrochemical is introduced into the planting pit along with phosphorus fertilizers.
Video "tips and tricks for using potassium"
An informative video with helpful tips and tricks for using potassium in your garden and vegetable garden.
What plants can I use
The responsiveness of vegetable crops, fruit trees, berries and shrubs allows it to be introduced almost everywhere. Consider the methods of fertilizing the most commonly grown crops when digging soil in the spring:
- for feeding tomatoes, the following proportion is required - 20 g per 1 sq. m.
- cucumbers - 15g per 1 sq. m.
- cabbage and turnips - 25 g per 1 sq. m.
- for potatoes, it will be sufficient to apply 30-35 g of fertilizer per 1 sq. m.
- berries need 20 g of potassium sulfide per 1 sq. m.
For vegetable crops (tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, potatoes and root crops), it is better to apply fertilizers in the fall when digging the soil. Fruit trees are fed immediately - 150-200 g of fertilizer must be added to the planting pit. Strawberries can only be fed after fruiting. Berry bushes need additional nutrition during the growing season - 15-20 g per 1 sq. m. of soil.
The next top dressing can be carried out in the middle of summer, however, taking into account the above information. This time you can use: a ready-made solution of potassium sulfate or a dry fraction of an agrochemical. Application of top dressing in the form of a solution is more effective, since it quickly gets to the root system and nourishes it. There are two options for making a second top dressing:
- On sandy soils, the plant can be simply watered at the root.
- On loamy ones, it is necessary to feed on the sheet. To do this, 35-40 g of an agrochemical is dissolved in 10 liters of water and everything is mixed well until completely dissolved. It is recommended to use the finished substance immediately at the rate of 3-4 m. Of soil.
The dry fraction of potassium sulfate is convenient to use for row planting of crops, since fertilizer is poured into the grooves formed between the rows. Fruit trees are fertilized at the rate of 150-200 g per trunk circle. In this case, the fertilizer crystals must be slightly deepened in the soil around the tree trunk.
What fertilizers does it interact with
Due to the absence of chlorine, fertilizer can even be applied together with other additives, however, observing the following rules:
- potassium sulfate is incompatible with urea and chalk;
- it is necessary to prepare a substance from potassium sulfate and nitrogen fertilizers only before directly introducing it into the soil;
- to achieve the best effect on acidic soils, it is advisable to add such an additive together with lime.
For all crops, the application of the agrochemical must be stopped up to 14 days before the harvest date.
Safety measures during use
The agrochemical is considered explosive and easily ignites upon contact with fire, therefore it must be stored in cool, dry places protected from the sun and heating devices. When working, the mandatory use of protective equipment is required:
- use a respirator or bandage to protect your mouth and nose;
- wear thick rubber gloves to protect your hands;
- for eye protection - safety glasses.
After completing the work, it is important to thoroughly rinse your hands and tools in running water.
Video "All about foliar dressing"
Useful properties of foliar dressing, which can also be carried out with potassium.