Most gardeners find that they need to supplement garden soil with fertilizer.

Take the time to have your garden soil analyzed.

Read on to learn more about fertilizing veggies and how to best fertilize your garden.

Fertilizing vegetables

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After working it in, gently water the soil, so the nutrients will begin to break down.

This is early spring forlettuceand leafy greens; midsummer forcorn,squash,tomatoes, andpotatoes.

Tip

Vegetables growing in clay soil will need less fertilizer than those in soil that’s sandy.

Adding granular fertilizer to tomato plants

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One tool every four to six weeks should suffice.

Inorganic fertilizers are sold in granular, liquid, and slow-release formulas.

Organic:Manures, compost, or bone meal are organic fertilizers derived directly from plant or animal sources.

Small pile of rotted manure on tarp in the front yard. Garden shovel and basket near heap. Organic fertilizer for manuring soil ready to working in autumn garden. Concept of organic farming

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They usually contain plant nutrients in lower concentrations than inorganic fertilizers and release nutrients more slowly.

Cost

Inorganic fertilizer is usually more affordable than organic fertilizer.

This is a good method for fertilizing a garden before plants or seeds are added.

person applying plant fertilizer

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Side-dress:Good method for adding fertilizer during the growing season.

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Do some homework to determine thebest fertilizerfor your garden.

Different vegetables have specific fertilizing guidelines.

Applying fertilizer to soil

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It is often better to under-fertilize than over-fertilize!

Poor root structure reduces fruit production.

Beans, peas, and other legumes may have reduced yields if they’re given too much nitrogen.

Vegetable Gardening: Fertilizing.

University of Florida Gardening Solutions.