During the growing process, all plant life progresses from the first stage of seed germination, through several degrees of development, to the final one of maturity, when it puts forth seeds for harvest or propagation.
In this process, food nutrients are absorbed from the soil. One of these is nitrogen in the form of nitrates.
Food Nutrients In Soil
In the form of lime, other examples are:
- Phosphorus
- Potash
- Calcium
Magnesium, iron, aluminum, manganese, sulfates, chlorides, and several trace elements such as iodine and boron are also taken into the plant system.
Some others, such as oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon, are available to them in almost unlimited quantities from the air surrounding them.
Unlike the last three mentioned, the others must be supplied to the soil by you. This is for them to be available as required.
The Big Four: Plant Foods
Let’s concern ourselves with what we call “The Big Four” of plant foods—nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, and calcium.
Although calcium is not considered a food element, it is very necessary in many cases.
When soil is overly acidic, we add ground limestone to decrease the acidity, making the other three food nutrients more easily available.
Growing Process
During the growing process, the plants remove from the soil and take various food nutrients into their root, stem, and leaf systems.
When these plants are removed from the property, all the food nutrients they absorb go along with them.
This is good for the consumer of the foods if such, but it is bad for the soil from which they have been harvested, as it is left depleted to the extent of what the plants have removed.
44659 by Earl F. Downey