Gardening and Landscaping Stack Exchange
Gardening and Landscaping Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [nitrogen]

An essential element required by all life

Nitrogen is essential for all life on Earth. Although molecular nitrogen makes up most of the atmosphere, virtually all organisms are incapable of using it in this form. Most plants can only absorb nitrogen in the form of ammonium or nitrate ions. Specialist organisms (eg. some cyanobacteria, and legume root nodules) are capable of "fixing" atmospheric nitrogen into a form that can be used by other plants.

Much of the green revolution came about due to the widespread use of artificial nitrogen fertilizers. The nitrogen content of an artificial "NPK" fertilizer is given by the first value.

Use this tag for all questions about the nitrogen content of soils and the relevant behavior of legumes.

Nitrogen input and content are important aspects of compost heap management, but this is usually relative to carbon. Consider using the tag for these questions, instead.

35 questions
4
votes
2 answers

I need nitrogen-poor soil. Where can I buy some (US)?

I am a student doing a science fair project relating to nitrogen content in plants. For some trials, I will need nitrogen-poor soil. Can anyone point me in the correct direction? And if you have used sawdust to remove nitrogen, does it return it to…
Human
  • 143
  • 4
4
votes
1 answer

What is the quickest germinating leguminous cover crop?

I would like to find a good leguminous cover crop that sprouts quickly, and grows fast, especially the roots. What are the best ones for this purpose (and the pros/cons of those you mention)? Disease/pest resistance is a major plus, but not strictly…
Brōtsyorfuzthrāx
  • 17,794
  • 4
  • 27
  • 65
4
votes
4 answers

Improving soil for grass

My lawn is slowly being taken over by clover, I would be ok with this if the clover and the grass embraced diversity, but instead there are patches of one or the other. I understand clover likes soil with low nitrogen levels which probably explains…
treeNinja
  • 637
  • 2
  • 6
  • 15
3
votes
1 answer

Was my rosemary burnt by nitrogen, or something else?

I am trying to grow rosemary from starters. I am based in In California, San Francisco Bay Area. I dug up an area about what people are recommending on the other rosemary answers here. 30cm x 30cm wide + 30cm down, and combined the area for 6 of…
NOTjust -- user4304
  • 215
  • 2
  • 6
3
votes
1 answer

Sul-po-may and blood meal at the same time?

My university extension suggested a combination of sul-po-mag and blood meal to increase my vegetable garden's potassium and nitrogen. Link: How to increase nitrogen and potassium at the same time? I read up on the two and found that both are to be…
nuggethead
  • 211
  • 1
  • 8
3
votes
2 answers

What do I do with cover crops before planting vegetables in a raised bed?

I have a raised bed that I use to plant vegetables. Over the winter, I have planted fava beans as cover crop to get some nitrogen in the soil. What should I do with the fava plants before I plant the vegetables? Should I cut the top and leave the…
JStorage
  • 7,844
  • 6
  • 32
  • 72
3
votes
1 answer

What is the maximum amount (lbs/1000 sf.) of nitrogen that should be applied to turf in the spring?

Assumptions and details: we would apply slow release, predominantly insoluble, organic sources of nitrogen which could include compost, corn gluten meal or any of a number of organic turf fertilizer products. the turf would not receive irrigation…
That Idiot
  • 6,997
  • 4
  • 29
  • 52
2
votes
1 answer

How to increase nitrogen and potassium at the same time?

I had my vegetable garden soil tested by a local university extension. (If it matters, I'm in the northeast US, zone 5.) The results indicated that the soil was deficient in nitrogen and potassium. Potassium was 78 ppm but the suggested level was…
nuggethead
  • 211
  • 1
  • 8
2
votes
2 answers

Does nitrogen-rich material become carbon-rich after drying?

So my compost is very nitrogen-rich since my yard is mostly lawn and grass clippings are nitrogen-heavy. I read that hay, on the other hand, is carbon-rich. Since hay is just grass dried in the sun, am I correct that nitrogen actually becomes carbon…
Mr. Engineer
  • 105
  • 6
2
votes
1 answer

What is the carbon content of tree seeds and would they be suitable to balance nitrogen rich compost?

On top of my garage was a full 2 inches of densely composted material that I presume has built up over many years. Right above the garage are 2 trees that seem to shed hundreds of thousands of tiny seeds. I need carbon matter to balance all the…
Michael Sherpa
  • 241
  • 1
  • 10
2
votes
2 answers

How to extract nutrients from soil?

I'm new to DIY farming and have invested in a vertical farming unit. I love the efficiency and effectiveness of these systems in providing nutrients, oxygen and water to the roots of plants in a small footprint. The unit came with nutrients labelled…
Nxlevel
  • 121
  • 2
2
votes
3 answers

Do nitrates really encourage weed germination?

I've heard that nitrates increase weed germination. Is this true? If so feel free to mention what forms of nitrates encourage them to sprout most, if you happen to know (e.g. ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate, etc.) If it is true,…
Brōtsyorfuzthrāx
  • 17,794
  • 4
  • 27
  • 65
2
votes
0 answers

Does chicken manure interfere with fruit trees?

I have a lemon and orange tree which chickens roost in and poo around and causing the trees not to bear much fruit. What can I do to eliminate the nitrogen in the soil? I cannot move the chickens because I don't have enough room.
Travis Walsh
  • 21
  • 1
2
votes
1 answer

Pomegranate splitting: Why is it happenning and how to prevent this

Why do my pomegranates keep splitting every year? I have read some articles that they need even watering, with drip irrigation. Also too much nitrogen can cause the fruit to split. Does anyone have experience on this problem? Edit: We have to…
csandreas1
  • 399
  • 3
  • 14
1
vote
1 answer

Is there anything else besides lack of sunlight or excess nitrogen could cause a plant to become leggy?

I've recently been convinced that my potting soil which contains a lot of homemade compost (made primarily from leaves and fruit waste as the greens) is generally lacking fertiliser. My strawberries, amongst other things, have become leggy. The only…
Michael Sherpa
  • 241
  • 1
  • 10
1
2
3