What's the function of Nitrogen (N) in plants?Nitrogen (N) is among the vital elements needed for the survival of living things. It being an abundant common element on earth, it forms approximately 78% in the earth's atmosphere. Nitrogen is chemically reacted with other compounds such as ammonia, nitric acid, organic nitrates and cyanides to form unique compounds with totally different chemical and physical properties. Since plants cannot use or take nitrogen directly from the atmosphere, uptake is through nitrogen forms that include...
What's the Function of Potassium (K) in Plants?Potassium is a paramount macro-element for overall survival of living things. It is an abundant mineral macronutrient present in both plant and animals tissues. It is necessary for the proper functionality of all living cells. Potassium is relatively abundant in the earth's crust making up to 2.1% by weight. Potassium is mined in the form of potash (KOH), sylvite (KCl), Carnallite and Langbeinite. It is not found in free nature. Why is Potassium Important to Plants? Potassium is an indis...
What's the Function of Magnesium (Mg) in Plants?You may have more in common with plants than you think. Much like us, plants need a wide range of nutrients to stay healthy and we’ve mentioned time and time again about magnesium’s importance to our own wellbeing. But magnesium is also a critical macronutrient for plant growth and health. It is a key element of the chlorophyll molecule – essential for photosynthesis. Magnesium gives leaves their green hue and activates most plant enzymes needed for growth while contributing to protein synthe...
Compost is the Best Supplement for Your Garden SoilComposting is a simple way to add nutrient-rich humus which fuels plant growth and restores vitality to depleted soil. It's also free, easy to make and good for the environment. Composting Benefits Image source: Trusty Joe Soil conditioner: With compost, you are creating rich humus for lawn and garden. This adds nutrients to your plants and helps retain moisture in the soil. Recycles kitchen and yard waste: Composting can divert as much as 30% of household waste away from the garbage c...
How Timing Your Fertilizer Application Can Make All the Difference in Your PlantsChances are good you know that adding a water-soluble, eco-friendly fertilizer is a key factor in soil health, but did you that the timing of your fertilizer application will have a big impact on plant development and resiliency as well? When is the Best Time to Apply Fertilizer to a Plant? If you were to only apply high-quality, water-soluble fertilizer to your plants once, the optimal time is during the peak growing cycle - that's when plants are either flowering, leafing out (for deci...
The Role of Root Health in Your Plants and How to Improve ItTake care of your plants and your plants will take care you. Get more enjoyment from your flowers and plants while increasing crop yield, when you take proper care of their root systems using an organic fertilizer. A common mistake made by new gardeners is to overlook the health of the root systems of their plants. Root systems are like the foundation of a house or building. Just as a poor foundation can lead to a structure tumbling down, an unhealthy root system leads to the "tumbling do...
The 5 Fertilizers That Will Also Encourage Soil HealthOne key element that is often overlooked in gardening is healthy soil. You can feed your plants all the nutrients you want, but if your soil health is lacking, your plants won’t reach their full potential. What’s the easiest way to combat this? By feeding your soil of course! Our soil is comprised of tiny microorganisms and beneficial bacteria that work together to contribute to your plant’s health by providing a healthy foundation for root growth and nutrient uptake. The healthier your soil,...
How to Improve Soil Health With Soil AmendmentsSpring has sprung and there’s no better time than now to start planting! But before you get those seeds and starters in the soil, you’ll want to make sure it’s in tip-top shape. After all, your plants are only as healthy as the soil they’re grown in. One of our favorite ways to ensure healthy soil is by adding amendments to your dirt before planting. But “soil amendments” are words that often get tossed around in the gardening community which may leave you feeling slightly confused and wonder...
Save Money in the Garden With These 10 TipsIf money grew on trees, then everyone would garden. But since it doesn’t, the rest of us need to find ways to make our favorite hobby a lot more budget-friendly. The following ten tips may help your dollar stretch in the garden by encouraging resourcefulness and strategic planting. Read on to green your thumb and hopefully, your wallet. 1. Make Your Own Compost An easy way to supplement your plants that is also cost effective is by making your own compost. Don’t let this process scare you. A...
Should You Add Fertilizer to Your Compost Pile?"What are you using for compost?" "That compost pile is coming along nicely." "I never start planting without a compost pile." Whether you've been planting for years or you're tilling rows for the first time, composting and fertilizing never fail to come up in conversations about the ins and outs of gardening. But what exactly is composting? Is the talk of fertilizer simply hype? If you've ever wondered about compost or fertilizer and what they can do for y...
Epsom Salt Formula For Stump RemovalWe all know that removing a tree stump without heavy equipment can be backbreaking work. Axes, picks, chainsaws and pry bars are the tools required, along with at least a whole day of hard work. Epsom salt is the best substance to remove a tree stump if it is in your garden or lawn, since it enhances the quality of your soil. Using chemical applications makes stump removal an easier yet slower process. Why Epsom Salt? After a tree has been cut down or fallen, the root network will con...
What is the Role of Manganese and Potassium?Plants which produce fruit with a high concentration of carbohydrates require a great deal of potassium for carbohydrate transport into the fruit. The fruit functions as a storage organ for sugars, and consequently, also becomes a storage sink for potassium. High carbohydrate fruit such as tomatoes or potatoes need a generous supply of potassium to fill fruit. Potassium is usually readily absorbed, but sometimes crops struggle picking up potassium from the soil. This can be due to a variety ...
Fertilizing Your Organic GardenOrganic fertilizers generally come from plants, animals, or minerals. Soil organisms break down the material into nutrients that plants can use. Some organic fertilizers contain significant amounts of only one of the major nutrients, such as phosphorus in bone meal, but they often have trace amounts of many other beneficial nutrients. In addition, some gardeners add organic material that improves soil structure and supports soil microorganisms, which helps make nutrients available more quickl...
What's the Function of Phosphorus (P) in Plants?Phosphorus (P) is part of the nuclei acid structure of plants which is responsible for the regulation of protein synthesis. Phosphorus plays a major role in the growth of new tissue and division of cells. Plants perform complex energy transmissions, a function that requires phosphorus. The value of phosphorus in your garden cannot be stressed enough. One of the benefits of phosphorus in plants is proper development of the roots and hastening of maturity. Why Do Plants Need Phosphorus? All li...
A Guide to Greener Grass - Selecting the Proper Fertilizer for Your LawnHaving a yard with luscious, green grass is ideal, but is not always the easiest to achieve. Many turn to fertilizer to help with lawn care, but with all the options available on the market, how do you know which one to choose? Read on to learn how to diagnose your lawn and what factors you should consider before deciding what fertilizer is best for your lawn's needs. What Are the Symptoms of a Sick Lawn? Healthy grass is thick, uniformly green and weed-free. When you run your hand over ...
What's the Function of Calcium (Ca) in Plants?Most people don't realize just how important Calcium is to their plants. However, for plants to grow and remain healthy, there are specific nutrients they need — and Calcium is one of the more important ones. This is why it's important to use a good Calcium fertilizer to maintain the necessary Calcium levels for your plants. The Function of Calcium in Plants The nutrients plants need are categorized into three different categories — main nutrients, micro nutrients and trace elements....
What's the function of Nitrogen (N) in plants?
Nitrogen (N) is among the vital elements needed for the survival of living things. It being an abundant common element on earth, it forms approximately 78% in the earth's atmosphere. Nitrogen is chemically reacted with other compounds such as ammonia, nitric acid, organic nitrates and cyanides to form unique compounds with totally different chemical and physical properties. Since plants cannot use or take nitrogen directly from the atmosphere, uptake is through nitrogen forms that include...
What's the Function of Potassium (K) in Plants?
Potassium is a paramount macro-element for overall survival of living things. It is an abundant mineral macronutrient present in both plant and animals tissues. It is necessary for the proper functionality of all living cells. Potassium is relatively abundant in the earth's crust making up to 2.1% by weight. Potassium is mined in the form of potash (KOH), sylvite (KCl), Carnallite and Langbeinite. It is not found in free nature. Why is Potassium Important to Plants? Potassium is an indis...
What's the Function of Magnesium (Mg) in Plants?
You may have more in common with plants than you think. Much like us, plants need a wide range of nutrients to stay healthy and we’ve mentioned time and time again about magnesium’s importance to our own wellbeing. But magnesium is also a critical macronutrient for plant growth and health. It is a key element of the chlorophyll molecule – essential for photosynthesis. Magnesium gives leaves their green hue and activates most plant enzymes needed for growth while contributing to protein synthe...
Compost is the Best Supplement for Your Garden Soil
Composting is a simple way to add nutrient-rich humus which fuels plant growth and restores vitality to depleted soil. It's also free, easy to make and good for the environment. Composting Benefits Image source: Trusty Joe Soil conditioner: With compost, you are creating rich humus for lawn and garden. This adds nutrients to your plants and helps retain moisture in the soil. Recycles kitchen and yard waste: Composting can divert as much as 30% of household waste away from the garbage c...
How Timing Your Fertilizer Application Can Make All the Difference in Your Plants
Chances are good you know that adding a water-soluble, eco-friendly fertilizer is a key factor in soil health, but did you that the timing of your fertilizer application will have a big impact on plant development and resiliency as well? When is the Best Time to Apply Fertilizer to a Plant? If you were to only apply high-quality, water-soluble fertilizer to your plants once, the optimal time is during the peak growing cycle - that's when plants are either flowering, leafing out (for deci...
The Role of Root Health in Your Plants and How to Improve It
Take care of your plants and your plants will take care you. Get more enjoyment from your flowers and plants while increasing crop yield, when you take proper care of their root systems using an organic fertilizer. A common mistake made by new gardeners is to overlook the health of the root systems of their plants. Root systems are like the foundation of a house or building. Just as a poor foundation can lead to a structure tumbling down, an unhealthy root system leads to the "tumbling do...
The 5 Fertilizers That Will Also Encourage Soil Health
One key element that is often overlooked in gardening is healthy soil. You can feed your plants all the nutrients you want, but if your soil health is lacking, your plants won’t reach their full potential. What’s the easiest way to combat this? By feeding your soil of course! Our soil is comprised of tiny microorganisms and beneficial bacteria that work together to contribute to your plant’s health by providing a healthy foundation for root growth and nutrient uptake. The healthier your soil,...
How to Improve Soil Health With Soil Amendments
Spring has sprung and there’s no better time than now to start planting! But before you get those seeds and starters in the soil, you’ll want to make sure it’s in tip-top shape. After all, your plants are only as healthy as the soil they’re grown in. One of our favorite ways to ensure healthy soil is by adding amendments to your dirt before planting. But “soil amendments” are words that often get tossed around in the gardening community which may leave you feeling slightly confused and wonder...
Save Money in the Garden With These 10 Tips
If money grew on trees, then everyone would garden. But since it doesn’t, the rest of us need to find ways to make our favorite hobby a lot more budget-friendly. The following ten tips may help your dollar stretch in the garden by encouraging resourcefulness and strategic planting. Read on to green your thumb and hopefully, your wallet. 1. Make Your Own Compost An easy way to supplement your plants that is also cost effective is by making your own compost. Don’t let this process scare you. A...
Should You Add Fertilizer to Your Compost Pile?
"What are you using for compost?" "That compost pile is coming along nicely." "I never start planting without a compost pile." Whether you've been planting for years or you're tilling rows for the first time, composting and fertilizing never fail to come up in conversations about the ins and outs of gardening. But what exactly is composting? Is the talk of fertilizer simply hype? If you've ever wondered about compost or fertilizer and what they can do for y...
Epsom Salt Formula For Stump Removal
We all know that removing a tree stump without heavy equipment can be backbreaking work. Axes, picks, chainsaws and pry bars are the tools required, along with at least a whole day of hard work. Epsom salt is the best substance to remove a tree stump if it is in your garden or lawn, since it enhances the quality of your soil. Using chemical applications makes stump removal an easier yet slower process. Why Epsom Salt? After a tree has been cut down or fallen, the root network will con...
What is the Role of Manganese and Potassium?
Plants which produce fruit with a high concentration of carbohydrates require a great deal of potassium for carbohydrate transport into the fruit. The fruit functions as a storage organ for sugars, and consequently, also becomes a storage sink for potassium. High carbohydrate fruit such as tomatoes or potatoes need a generous supply of potassium to fill fruit. Potassium is usually readily absorbed, but sometimes crops struggle picking up potassium from the soil. This can be due to a variety ...
Fertilizing Your Organic Garden
Organic fertilizers generally come from plants, animals, or minerals. Soil organisms break down the material into nutrients that plants can use. Some organic fertilizers contain significant amounts of only one of the major nutrients, such as phosphorus in bone meal, but they often have trace amounts of many other beneficial nutrients. In addition, some gardeners add organic material that improves soil structure and supports soil microorganisms, which helps make nutrients available more quickl...
What's the Function of Phosphorus (P) in Plants?
Phosphorus (P) is part of the nuclei acid structure of plants which is responsible for the regulation of protein synthesis. Phosphorus plays a major role in the growth of new tissue and division of cells. Plants perform complex energy transmissions, a function that requires phosphorus. The value of phosphorus in your garden cannot be stressed enough. One of the benefits of phosphorus in plants is proper development of the roots and hastening of maturity. Why Do Plants Need Phosphorus? All li...
A Guide to Greener Grass - Selecting the Proper Fertilizer for Your Lawn
Having a yard with luscious, green grass is ideal, but is not always the easiest to achieve. Many turn to fertilizer to help with lawn care, but with all the options available on the market, how do you know which one to choose? Read on to learn how to diagnose your lawn and what factors you should consider before deciding what fertilizer is best for your lawn's needs. What Are the Symptoms of a Sick Lawn? Healthy grass is thick, uniformly green and weed-free. When you run your hand over ...
What's the Function of Calcium (Ca) in Plants?
Most people don't realize just how important Calcium is to their plants. However, for plants to grow and remain healthy, there are specific nutrients they need — and Calcium is one of the more important ones. This is why it's important to use a good Calcium fertilizer to maintain the necessary Calcium levels for your plants. The Function of Calcium in Plants The nutrients plants need are categorized into three different categories — main nutrients, micro nutrients and trace elements....
