The Garden Post

By Kim Bius

Know Your Amendments Like a Pro

Have you ever stood at the back of the garden center and stared in amazement at seemingly endless shelves of products for soil amendments and fertilizers? They appear to say basically the same thing, but not quite; you are really confused and do not want to read every label. The following is a short run-down of basic amendments: Ammonium Sulfate - 21-0-0, Fast release nitrogen for rapid green up and growth in lawns. Ammonium Sulfate makes soils more acidic; especially used on pecan trees and blueberries for fertilization. Pecan trees – Use 1 cup per tree every 30 days in April, May, and June on year 1, and 2 cups per tree on year 2. Mature trees will require 2 cups per every inch of diameter and apply 3-5’ away from the trunk. Blueberry bushes will require 8 tbsp per plant every 30 days beginning in April – June. Apply 18” away from trunk and water in well. Compost piles – Great accelerator for a home compost pile. Apply 1-2 lbs per 10 sq’ and to each 6” layer. Aluminum Sulfate - Creates acid conditions in soil; used often to correct alkaline soil without a heavy dose of nitrogen. Aluminum Sulfate is commonly used to turn hydrangeas a deep periwinkle blue. Apply in March and April for blue hydrangeas in May. Blood Meal – 12-0-0, is a slow-release natural form of nitrogen. Application rate - 2 lbs per 100 sq’ for deep green growth on all outdoor shrubs and trees. It is used especially on pansies or any plant requiring an organic nitrogen base. Bone Meal – 0-10-0, Is a slow-release natural form of phosphorous. Promotes sturdy roots, blooms, and fruit/vegetable yield. Bone Meal stimulates growth and maturity of plants and is most often used on bulbs. Apply 2 tsp. under bulb when planting. Gypsum – Fast-acting gypsum is used to help loosen compacted soil and repair salt damage. Quickly aids in allowing better air circulation and water penetration for better root growth and deeper roots. Gypsum is excellent in treating animal urine spots and stopping harm from urea. Apply 1 lb, per 250 sq,’ on lawns or 1 lb, per 100 sq,’ in a garden. This is a definite “go-to product” for creating beds around new homes with thick contractor’s clay around foundation. Iron Sulfate – AKA copperas. Iron Sulfate will correct chlorosis or yellowing of the leaves caused by lack of iron. Chlorosis is most often seen in gardenias, azaleas, and nutrient-poor soil. It also aids in creating an acid environment. 4 lbs covers 1000sq or 1 lb per 250 sq’. Magnesium Sulfate – Contains a soluble source of magnesium for chlorosis and blossom end rot. Magnesium Sulfate will also create white hydrangeas when color is not desired. Apply at the rate of 1lb per 100 sq’. Nitrate of Soda – Fast-release nitrogen without acid base. Zinc Sulfate - A dry formulation of zinc for application around fruit trees. Corrects deficiency that causes deformity of fruit, prevents and corrects Rosette on pecans. Foliage spray: 1 tablespoon per 3 gallons. Soil treatment: 1-3/4 lbs. per inch of diameter. Zinc sulfate is commonly used to control rosette on pecans…..apply ½ lb for every ½” of trunk, in April, May, and June. Most independent garden centers will use the Fertilome or HI-Yield brands for several reasons. Their products are generically labeled to bring the consumer price down (like generic aspirin), and both brands are made in Texas and formulated for Texas climate and growth. So, the next time you are shopping, you will be armed with all the info needed to be a pro. Many of the HI-Yield products are lower in cost than known brand names, and the above amendments are used when consumers come in with results of a soil sample that needs to amending to grow successfully. Spring has arrived….enjoy the show! Happy Gardening.

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