Knowledgebase
Fertilizer -- What & When #751313
Asked May 21, 2021, 2:27 PM EDT
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi- nitrogen is the nutrient required in the greatest quantity by vegetable plants. The release of nutrients from organic matter is slow in spring because soil temps are relatively low.
Fertilize with either a dry or liquid fertilizer. The ratio should be as close to 1-0-1 as possible since the soil is high in P and low in K. This can be difficult with organic fertilizers. Consider applying potassium sulfate or potassium chloride to correct the low K (both are allowed under certain conditions by organic farmers).
Don't worry about micronutrients, unless the report from the soil testing lab recommends increasing the level of a nutrient other than N, P, and K.
All of the meals (alfalfa, fish, cottonseed, and soybean) are fine to use.
Please see our web page on fertilizing vegetables.
A few observations:
Your broccoli plants are a little under-sized for this time of spring. For a variety of reasons, MD gardeners typically have better luck with fall broccoli (planted late July). Covering kale, broccoli and other cabbage family members with a floating row cover will exclude pest insects.
Wood chips are ok to use as mulch but don't incorporate them into the soil as this can lead to a nitrogen deficiency (microbes scavenge available N to break down a large amount of high carbon wood chips).
Jon
Hi- low nitrogen could be one of the reasons for slow growth. Fertilizing now with the liquid fertilizer may push growth but it's still a question as to whether the plants will produce decent heads.
Jon