Fertilizer Labels and Calculations

1. Fertilizer Labels and Calculations

2. We will learn- • How to read labels • How to calculate amounts of fertilizer needed for an area

3. Fertilizer labels • Some information is required by law to be on the fertilizer bags: • Net Weight • Brand and grade of fertilizer • Guaranteed analysis of each nutrient in fertilizer-N-P-K!! • Name and address of manufacturer

4. Other valuable information • Some manufacturers add the following on the bag as well: • % of water insoluble nitrogen • Potential acidity • Salt index • Source of carrier • % of minor elements • Calculation rates • How to calibrate spreaders

5. How much fertilizer? • We have a grass lawn that needs to be fertilized and Jake has found a bag of 16-8-8 in our garage. If we need to put 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 sqft of our 16,725 sqft lawn, how much fertilizer do we need to apply?

6. How do we figure this problem out? • Total Fertilizer Needed =

7. How much Phosphorus has been applied? • Assume we are applying it at the recommended N amount • P= Recommend N rate X % of P in % of N in fertilizer fertilizer • Can figure K amount the same way!

8. Vegetables For a 60ft row 2 ¾ cups to 4 ½ cups ½ early in season Repeat 4-6wks later Bulbs Amount per plant 1tbsp – 2 ½ tbsp When leaves emerge Roses Per plant 4 ½ tbsp – ½ cup 1/3 at new growth After every bloom Deciduous tree/shrub 100 ft2 under leaf canopy 4 ½ tbsp – ½ cup 1/3 when new growth Repeat twice at 6-week intervals How much to feed plants

9. Lawns Per 1,000 sq ft 1 pound/ 1,000 sq ft Feed 3 times per year Evergreen tree/shrub and rhododendrons Per 10 sq ft of canopy 3 tbsp – 1/3 cup Feed half at bud swell Repeat after deadheading Flowering Perennials Per plant ¾ cup – 2 cups Half at new growth, then in 6 wks Flowering Annuals Per 100 sq ft 1 ½ cups – 2 2/3 cups At planting, then in 6 wks More plants…