Why do I need to fertilize?

• How often should I fertilize?
• How do I get Mittleider's Pre-mixed Fertilizer?
• How do I mix the weekly feed fertilizer?
• How do I mix the Pre-Plant formula?
• How much should I use?
• What kind of fertilizers should I use?
• Why do I need to fertilize?

Fertilizers are the essential mineral raw materials from which plants make food.

The fertilizers in soil can be compared with a checking account in a bank.

• Every crop reduces the amount of soil fertilizer just as writing checks reduces the amount in a checking account.
• If the amount of the check is more than the amount in the bank, the bank will not accept the check. Growing crops affect the soil in the same way. Planting a large crop when the supply of fertilizer is too low will result in crop failure.
• Applying fertilizer to growing crops is just like making a deposit to a bank account. Plants are just like people (and pets and animals)—they require balanced nutrition.

What nutrients do plants need?

There are 16 essential plant nutrients. They include:

• Airborne Nutrients
  • Carbon (C)
  • Hydrogen (H)
  • Oxygen (O)
• Primary Nutrients
  • Nitrogen (N) Gives plants their green color, rapid growth, high protein, and yield.
  • Phosphorus (P) Affects early vigor, healthy roots, and quality.
  • Potassium (K) Produces healthy plants, high-quality seeds and fruit
• Secondary Nutrients
  • Calcium (Ca) Promotes early root growth, high vigor, and seed formation.
  • Magnesium (Mg) Associated with chlorophyll formation and oil and fat formation.
  • Sulfur (S) Aids root growth, green color, and seed production.
• Trace Elements
  • Boron (B) Increases yield in root crops, affects seed germination.
  • Copper (Cu) Affects the enzyme systems in new tissues.
  • Iron (Fe) Is associated with chlorophyll formation which give plants their green color.
  • Manganese (Mn) Aids seed germination and vigor.
  • Zinc (Zn) Aids chlorophyll formation.
  • Molybdenum (Mo) Plays a vital role in nitrogen fixation by microorganisms and nitrogen processes in plants.
  • Chlorine (Cl) Essential for plant growth.

• Introduction
  • What is the Mittleider Method?
  • Who developed this Method?
  • How is this Method Different?
  • Is the Mittleider Method For Me?
  • Soil-beds or grow-boxes?
  • How do I start?
• Soil-Beds
  • Planning
  • Preparing
  • Planting
  • Watering
  • Fertilizing
  • Weeding
  • Harvesting
• Grow-Boxes
  • Planning
  • Preparing
  • Planting
  • Watering
  • Fertilizing
  • Weeding
  • Harvesting
• Garden Genius
  • Garden Genius Documents
  • Suggested Fertilizer Application
  • Plant Hardiness and Planting Times
  • Sample Garden Plan
  • Transplanting Guide
  • Crop Yields