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Apr 7, 2023 10:14 PM CST
Thread OP
Ivins, UT
I live in the desert with red clay soil known for being horrible. I have a vegetable garden and over the last year I have worked in amendment and garden mix that has helped with the soil structure making it looser and better draining. However, I tested my soil the other day and it is still completely void of N and K with P only fairing slightly better. Someone at the local nursery recommended working in a broad fertilizer that is 16-16-16 (half fast-acting, half slow-acting, at least the N). However, I was leaning towards a similar product that is 7-7-7 instead (the 16-16-16 fertilizer bag has way too much for my needs).

I am also planning on adding Mycorrhizae, Azomite, and an organic starter fertilizer (slow-acting 4-8-4) to each transplant hole.

My question is, do you think the addition of the recommended amount of the 7-7-7 fertilizer (along with what will be added to transplant holes) is enough to help get the nutrients where it need to be to start off the season or do you have other recommendations for me. Also, I should mention, I am planning on transplanting seedlings and direct sowing seeds within the next 5 days. Thanks for any advice you can offer!
Avatar for CPPgardener
Apr 7, 2023 10:37 PM CST
Name: John
Pomona/Riverside CA (Zone 9a)
Welcome! to the forum LearnintoGrow!
Both of those fertilizers have the same ratio of N to P to K (1/1/1) so it really doesn't matter. Keep adding organic matter between crops to help air and water penetration and add nutrients. Follow directions on the package of each fertilizer you use. "If a little is good, a lot must be better" is absolutely WRONG.
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Apr 8, 2023 12:38 PM CST
Name: Al F.
5b-6a mid-MI
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What CCP said; plus, if your soil is essentially devoid of nutrients, it would make much more sense to use a fertilizer that provides nutrients at a ratio as close as possible to that at which the average plant actually uses nutrients. Normally, no one can give meaningful advice re what fertilizer to apply to plants growing in the landscape w/o a soil test to use for guidance; however, in this case where you're starting with a blank slate, a fertilizer with a 3:1:2 ratio would make the most sense because that RATIO comes closest to providing nutrients in a ratio the average plant actually uses. Products at or very close to a 3:1:2 ratio include 18-6-12, 16-4-8, 13-5-8, 21-7-14, 17-5-11, 18-5-12, 16-5-11, and are all available in a slow release (different than controlled release, like Osmocote) product. If you were using a soluble synthetic fertilizer, 24-8-16, 12-4-8, and 9-3-6 are all 3:1:2 ratio products.
Al
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Last edited by tapla Apr 8, 2023 3:59 PM Icon for preview
Avatar for LearnintoGrow
Apr 9, 2023 10:43 PM CST
Thread OP
Ivins, UT
Awesome! Thank you both for your insight, I truly appreciate it!
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