Fertilizer
Before adding any fertilizer or organic matter have
the soil tested to determine its nutrient level.
Unless your soil is very fertile, or you have incorporated
a well composted manure before planting, the
plants will need supplemental nutrition. A complete
fertilizer should be used, for example 8-8-8 or 10-
10-10, at a rate of 7 to 10 kilograms per 100 square
metres. It should be incorporated into the soil
during the preliminary bed preparations. This can
be done each time before planting annuals and
perennials. Established perennials also need some
fertilizer. It can be applied as a side dress in early
spring when plants are actively growing and after
harvest to promote root and leaf growth. Good
post-harvest growth provides plants with an improved
overwintering ability and also acts to improve
next year’s harvest. Whether fertilizer is
applied in spring or after harvest, it’s important to
keep the fertilizer away from the stems and leaves
to minimize the chances of burning tender growth.
If you have a trickle irrigation system you can use
liquid feeding through the irrigation system. Again,
a complete fertilizer should be used at a concentration
of about 200 to 300 ppm nitrogen, with weekly
feedings.
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