What fertilizers should not be applied when planting trees in the fall?

Fertilizers and preparations

The quality and quantity of the harvest depend on how the plants are cared for. They require regular fertilization. The benefits of fertilizer depend not only on its composition but also on the timing of its application. With proper care, the soil is enriched with beneficial microelements and will protect even old trees from depletion. Plants take up nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which should be added to the soil every fall.

Why nourish the soil?

Beginning gardeners mistakenly believe that soil nutrition is only needed in spring and summer. However, autumn is the time when the soil needs additional micronutrients most. Over the course of several months, it has already released all its nutrients to the plants, leaving it depleted. If you don't apply fertilizer promptly, next year's harvest will be noticeably poorer.

When and what to fertilize with

Autumn lasts three months, but you can't fertilize your plants at any time. If you start soil care too late, it will be of no benefit or, on the contrary, harmful. It's important to fertilize the soil before frost sets in, otherwise the nutrients won't have time to be absorbed, and moisture will damage the plant roots. Cold weather significantly slows down the absorption of micronutrients by plants, as their metabolism slows. Therefore, early September is a better time to fertilize the soil. Avoid fertilizing after the leaves have fallen.

Attention!

Don't mix phosphorus flour with potassium. Wait a few days between such additions to allow them to be absorbed.

Phosphorus fertilizers are most often used in winter. Plants absorb them quickly and easily, making them useful even in cool weather. This type of fertilizer reduces soil acidity, accelerates tree growth, and promotes the development of new shoots. Another pleasant bonus: phosphorus fertilizers help plants withstand wind, rain, and frost.

Potassium-based fertilizers are essential during the cold season. They increase frost resistance and protect plants from disease. Trees are especially vulnerable to weather damage in winter, so it's important to provide them with sufficient nutrients. Potassium also promotes the formation of sugar in fruits and vegetables, making the harvest even more delicious. With the cold, plants begin to dormant, stopping their moisture absorption. Sap flow slows and resumes only with the arrival of spring. During this period, trees are at risk of moisture loss, and potassium helps retain it. Therefore, fertilizer will help prepare plants for winter.

What fertilizers are not suitable for autumn?

Experienced gardeners know that nitrogen fertilizers aren't suitable for the post-harvest period. They shouldn't be applied until spring, when all traces of melted snow have disappeared. This is due to water availability, which is sufficient to completely wash the fertilizer out of the soil as early as April. However, there are varieties of nitrogen fertilizers that can be applied in the fall. For example, ammonium nitrate is beneficial for the soil in the fall. It absorbs even into frozen soil and doesn't require water. The powder is scattered over the soil and leveled with a rake. Ammonium sulfate is also suitable. It is 20% nitrogen and contains sulfur. It is used in the same way as ammonium nitrate, but for better absorption, the soil should be thoroughly dug over.

Pre-planting fertilizers are useless in the fall because the sowing season is already over. The exception is tree transplanting, which is most often done in the fall. Then, the soil is best prepared. Organic amendments are used for this purpose. For example, mixed compost helps trees establish themselves more quickly in their new location. Micronutrient fertilizers are also not used in the fall. They are needed situationally and are irrelevant once the harvest is over. Novice gardeners should consult with more experienced gardeners when choosing fall fertilizers.

Important!

Soil care is important at any time of year. If you don't help it recover after the summer, when plants have drawn out all the nutrients, the following year's harvest will be meager and tasteless.

Preparing your soil for the new season isn't difficult. Simply purchase the appropriate supplement from a gardening store. Directions for use are provided on the packaging. Fertilizers are most often diluted in water or sprinkled dry on the soil. In just one day, you can reap a bountiful harvest next year.