Q: WHAT IS THE BEST VEGGIE FERTILIZER?

For leafy greens - apply a nitrogen feed, which is indicated in percentage of active ingredient, and always the first number of the three listed on fertilizer labels, should be used as a foliar or soil drench application. Nitrogen increases the 'greening' and nutrient value of the leaves and plants stems.

If your garden produce is a root crop - like carrots, beets, onions, radish etc. (not potatoes) the second number of the three being phosphorus, can be applied to promote a healthier and tastier root. The common application of the fertilizer is to 'side dress' the plants with a slow release granular veggie fertilizer.

The third major element of the basic three is potash. This necessary rock base, strengthens the whole plant, by aiding the plants system to develop its immune system, its keeping qualities, its color and adaptability to the ever changing growing conditions.

Potatoes - that are growing in fertile soil or amended soilless mixes, need not be fertilized unless a mulch of elderly manure is used as a top-dressing around the clutch of first growth. Prepared fertilizers used on potatoes tend to blacken the tubers which decreases the keeping ability of the tubers. Fertilizers initiate rampant foliar growth resulting in smaller potatoes.