Agronomy

Understanding agronomy subjects such as soil, fertilizers and seed are basic requirements to having a successful crop. Whether it’s grain crops, flowers or a square foot garden applying the principles discussed here will help you to have above average success on a regular basis.

Analyzing the soil is the quickest and most accurate way to determine the level of essential plant nutrients in your soil. A good soil analysis will help you decide which plants will grow best in the soil, how to prepare your soil for planting and what the soil’s fertilizer needs are. It will help you create the best growing conditions for plants that are healthier and more productive.

Fertilizers are simply nutrients drawn from nature. Nitrogen (N) is taken from the air, phosphate (P) comes from fossilized creatures and potash (K) is found in evaporated sea beds. Plants utilize these three nutrients in the huge amounts and the typical soil can’t provide enough of them on its own. When the plants use these nutrients and we harvest, the nutrients are taken from the soil. We must replace them or eventually, the soil will not have enough to support any plant growth.