Nitrogen is the most important element for plant development. It is required in large amounts and must be added to your topsoil to avoid any deficiency. Nitrogen is a key part of chlorophyll, the green pigment of the plant that is responsible for photosynthesis. While Nitrogen helps plants with rapid growth in turn increasing seed and fruit production it also improves the quality of leaf and forage. Nitrogen often comes from fertilizer application and from the air. Nitrogen is a part of all living cells and is a necessary part of all proteins, enzymes and metabolic processes involved in the synthesis and transfer of energy. Although nitrogen is the most abundant element in the earths atmosphere, plants can’t use it until it is naturally processed in the soil, or added as fertilizer.
Many people believe that lightning makes grass and other plant life green and healthier. Lightning has mystified and frightened people since the dawn of time. Over time people has developed stories, theories, and myths about lightning. In Greek Mythology – Zeus, the god of sky and thunder also known as the “king of the gods” wielded a thunderbolt. In Native American Culture the “Thunderbird” was responsible for thunder and lightning. It was said that when the Thunderbird winked its eyes, flashes of lightning would burst from them and when lightning peeled the bark from a tree, it was taken as a sign of the Thunderbird’s razor sharp talons. In Norse mythology, Thor is a hammer-wielding god associated with thunder, lightning, storms, strength, and the protection of mankind.
However, lightning does produce a form of nitrogen called Nitrogen Oxide which is essential for plant growth and health. Basically the after effect of lightning is the combination of oxygen and nitrogen which forms Nitrogen Oxide. Nitrogen Oxide is a key ingredient in fertilizers. However, lightning does not produce enough Nitrogen Oxide to make a big difference. When lightning forms Nitrogen Oxide is is blown miles away, and could days even weeks for the Nitrogen Oxide to soak into the ground. If your plants seem greener after a thunderstorm, it is most likely due to the extra water and quick return of sunshine.
Organic Sources
Organic or naturally occurring nitrogen is the by-product of microorganisms breaking down organic matter. The process is a slow and extended release with no danger of leaching. Organic fertilizers have a very low burn potential so there is no risk of plant injury from over application. Using organic sources of nitrogen builds a healthy soil rather than only feeding the plant.
- manures and guano
- activated sewer sludge (Milorganite)
- other natural products like compost teas, and fish meal
Inorganic Sources
Inorganic nitrogen comes from mineral sources and is bound to other chemical combinations. It is water soluble, allowing it to be immediately available to the plant upon watering in. Using inorganic nitrogen allows for quick results, but also has a very high burn potential if over applied. Nitrates also leach through the soil rapidly and unused amounts can contaminate groundwater, so there is a substantial risk in using inorganic nitrogen
- calcium nitrate
- ammonium sulfate
- ammonium nitrate
Synthetic Sources
Synthetic nitrogen is primarily in the form of urea or urea solutions. Alone, urea has quick release properties but it can be processed and combined with other materials to be slow release. A coating is applied to the urea, allowing for a slow release based on the thickness of the coating, temperature, and soil moisture.
Many fertilizers will contain a blend of nitrogen sources for both quick green up, and an extended, slow release feeding. The ratio, or percentage, of each nitrogen source is located on the label.
- Sulfur coated urea
- Resin coated urea
- Isobutylidene diurea (IBDU)
Nitrogen Excess and Deficiency
An excess of nitrogen, caused by over application of fertilizers, can result in rapid, lush growth. However over application can also cause a diminished root system that can poorly effect the long term health of your plants. In extreme cases too much quick release nitrogen will cause burning of leaf tissue and even plant death. Nitrogen deficiency will cause the loss of green pigment and plants will begin to turn yellow.
Environmental Impact
There is allot of controversy over inorganic and synthetic nitrogen usage. Over application leads to groundwater contamination through leaching and run off. The considerable consumption of fossil fuels in the manufacturing and processing of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers is also cause for concern. It is definitely more eco-friendly to just stick with organic sources of nitrogen. If you do use synthetic and/or inorganic sources of nitrogen, be sure to not over do it. Read the label and follow the directions exactly as indicated.
If you want to have a yard as well as backyard garden that you can be proud of, regardless if you’re planning to add more turf, or nurture shrubbery and flowers, or even nurture a choice of fruits and vegetables, premium topsoil is essential. It’s not easy to find premium topsoil in Michigan’s urban areas, and you must know what elements to look for in really good soil. Getting the right amount of organic material will substantially increase root growth along with plant growth in your garden.
Mulching is a very important way to maintain healthy and thriving plants. Mulch is commonly any material applied to the surface of your topsoil for improvement or protection. Mulch is actually a naturally occurring method. Mulch is produced in nature in vast quantities all the time with pieces of bark, fallen leaves, twigs, grass clippings, pine needles, fallen fruit and even withered flowers and blossoms.
Organic mulch is made up of naturally occurring substances such as pieces of bark, fallen leaves, twigs, grass clippings, pine needles, fallen fruit, vegetation and even withered flowers and blossoms. Organic mulch attracts insects and slugs along with the birds and animals that eat them. Organic mulch also decomposes over time and should be replaces every several years.
A soil’s permeability is a measure of the ability of air and water to move through it. Permeability is influenced by the size, shape, and continuity of the pore spaces, which in turn are dependent on the soil bulk density, structure and texture. Most soil series are assigned to a single permeability class based on the most restrictive layer in the upper 5 feet of the soil profile. However, soil series with contrasting textures in the soil profile are assigned to more than one permeability class. In most cases, soils with a slow, very slow, rapid or very rapid permeability classification are considered poor for irrigation.
Soil that doesn’t have much organic matter lacks vital soil dwellers such as earthworms and beneficial bacteria that break down organic material into nutrients for plants. When gardeners fertilize, they are also feeding the soil as well as the plant. While chemical based fertilizers provide plants with important nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium,, the residue of can be damaging to the worms and microorganisms that help create and maintain healthy rich topsoil. Organic fertilizers (combinations of natural complex compounds such as rock powders, bone/feather meal, and manure) also become food for soil dwellers and release important macro and micro-nutrients as they are deposited back into the soil.
Transforming lifeless dirt into dark, rich topsoil is simpler than you think! We’ve been collecting advice and tips from gardening and agricultural experts for years and they all agree that the first thing you should do is test your soil’s pH level. Testing the pH level of your soil tells you if your soil is more acid or alkaline. The results of the pH test will further help you decide if adjustments are necessary.
Make sure that you find an organic soil conditioner that has a fungi called mycorrhizal. Using mycorrhizal fungi in your topsoil can have many great benefits! Mycorrhizal fungi is a symbiotic life form that is hosted by the roots of plants. It increases the absorption of nutrients, reducing the chance of transplant shock, and promotes drought resistance.
