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The Essential Minerals healthy soil needs for productive gardening
The positive effect of Magnesium, Potassium and Calcium on gardening and the negative effect of a deficiency. Signs for the gardener to look out for and remedial actions gardeners can take,
Essential Minerals for healthy soil are Magnesium, Potassium and Calcium.
A shortage of Magnesium is often caused by watering too much. It is worth noting that Calcium cannot be used by garden plants without Magnesium. And heavy rain and excessive watering will wash the Magnesium into the lower layers of the soil, out of reach of most garden plant roots.
It's brought back up by deep rooting plants like trees. That's why it's a very good idea to spread falling leaves back onto the soil, instead of sending them off in your green bag.
Magnesium deficiency is recognised by pale green leaves and blossom and fruit rot. Regular sprinkling of dolomite or Epsom salts onto the soil helps but the best and most natural way of getting Magnesium back into the soil, is spreading tree leaves over the garden.
Potassium is important for a plants ability to withstand extreme cold, hot temperatures, drought and pests. Symptoms of potassium deficiency include yellowing of the lower leaves and in severe cases leaf-tip die-back.
Gardeners who's soil is severely deficient in potassium can add rock potash. Rock potash contains 10.5 percent worth of potassium and is released slowly so you wont overdose your plants. Wood ash applied directly to the soil also adds potassium.
Calcium is essential in your garden soil. Plants need calcium for the growth of its young roots and shoots. Without calcium, plants can't grow. However calcium deficiency in the soil is very rare. Not watering evenly (too dry, then too wet) is the main cause of calcium deficiency.
A soil test is the only way for a gardener to find out. Adding horticulture lime will help but I wouldn't spend to much time worrying about a lack of calcium unless your soil is extremely sandy.
Other pages on my website you may find useful
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lawn care, wildflower lawn, growing your own, the simple life
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