Universal fertilizer nitroammofosk: how to use NPK correctly?

There is no way without fertilizers in the garden: crops need mineral complexes for full growth, flowering and fruiting, resistance to infections and pests. Nitroammofosk is heard by novice summer residents, and this substance is extremely popular among experienced farmers. The fertilizer contains three vital mineral components for plants at once: nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.

Composition and purpose

First, a little chemistry. The fertilizer formula looks like this: NH4H2PO4 + NH4NO3 + KCL. For convenience, the name of the compound is abbreviated according to three main components - NPK, which means nitrogen + phosphorus + potassium. Nitrogen is in the nitrate and ammonium forms (ammonium nitrate), potassium - in the form of sulfate, phosphorus - in the form of ions. Thanks to this, all components are easily absorbed by the plants in the garden.

Nitroammofoska is a granular gray or pinkish substance.

The content of macronutrients in the composition of varieties of nitroammophoska:

These three elements are considered decisive for plants throughout the season:

• Nitrogen - the main stimulant of photosynthesis and green mass growth. If the bushes are stunted, grow slowly and do not have a rich green color, they lack nitrogen.
• Phosphorus - stimulator of cell division, support of root health.
• Potassium regulates the process of flowering and formation of ovaries, strengthens the immunity of plants.

Fertilizer nitroammofosk is designed to accelerate growth, strengthen immunity, increase resistance to cold and increase the fruiting of crops, as well as to improve the taste characteristics of fruits and berries.

The most popular version is with equal proportions of minerals. Conduct soil analysis in your vegetable garden to justify using other types of NPK.

Nitrofosk and nitroammofosk: what are the differences

It is easy for a novice gardener to get confused in the variety of NPK complexes. The drugs are similar in name, but have slight differences in composition.

• Of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, azofoska is the closest to NPK. This mixture includes sulfur.
• Ammophoska contains from 14% sulfur and magnesium.
• The difference between nitrophoska and nitroammophoska is in the content of magnesium and the nitrate form of nitrogen. The complex is less effective, it is quickly washed out of the soil.
• Nitroammophos, or nitrophosphate, does not contain potassium - only nitrogen and phosphorus. Does not replace nitroammofoska, requires additional potash fertilization.

Pros and cons

What is good about nitroammofoska:

• Applicable on any soil.
• Valid regardless of the season.
• Suitable for most garden plantings.
• All components are in an easily digestible form, the proportions are the same in each granule.
• The drug is water-soluble, easy to water.
• Dry application possible.
• Suitable for foliar dressing.
• Available in different proportions for better performance on different soils.
• Compatible with fungicides.
• The cost is low - about 70 rubles per 1 kg.
• Increases productivity up to 30%, in some cases - up to 70%.

What you should be aware of when buying NPK:

• When feeding with mineral fertilizers at the fruiting stage, the accumulation of nitrates in the fruits is possible.
• The complex is incompatible with nitrogen fertilizers: ash, manure, dung.
• It is not used in conjunction with other potassium-phosphorus compounds: phosphates, carboammophos, etc.
• Violation of the application rates can negatively affect the condition of the plants and the yield.
• Short shelf life after opening - 6 months.
• The substance is flammable.

In 1 tbsp. contains 14 g of nitroammophoska.

Terms and methods of introducing nitroammofoska

As a rule, nitroammofoska is applied dry when digging a vegetable garden. A small dose of fertilizer can be added to the seedling hole. For loose soils, application is carried out in the spring, for heavy clay soils - in the fall (due to the long absorption). Standard portion for digging for NPK 1: 1: 1 - 30-35 g per 1 m3².

Further, the mineral complex is used by watering, spraying or sprinkling the soil. The timing of the introduction depends on the purpose. Usually, gardeners carry out fertilizing with the NPK complex in several stages:

1. 1-2 times during the growing season;
2. 1 time during flowering;
3. 1 time at the beginning of fruiting.

After applying any kind of fertilizer, the soil should be well moistened. Top dressing can be done before rain.

To prevent the crop from accumulating harmful substances, NPK feeding is stopped 3 weeks before harvesting. Autumn digging of the soil with the addition of nitroammophoska will prepare the plants for wintering. But there must be soil between the roots and the granules.

Application rates for different crops

Each useful crop has its own application rates for nitroammophoska. They also depend on the region of cultivation, the stage of development and the use of other drugs.

Grapes

The dosage of NPK for grapes when applied at the root is 20-25 g per bush.

The grapes are fertilized with a solution according to the following scheme: for 10 liters of water - 2 tbsp. drug. Apply at the root during the period of active growth.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes respond especially well to ammophos. They not only bear fruit abundantly, but are much less likely to get sick with late blight and rot.

Funds consumption and stages of fertilizing tomatoes:

1. 2 weeks after planting the seedlings in the ground, prepare a solution of 1 tbsp. l. NPK and 10 liters of water. Pour 500 ml under each bush.
2. Repeat the procedure a month later.
3. When the third brush opens, mix 1 tablespoon each. nitroammophoska and potassium humate, dissolve in 10 liters of water and feed the tomatoes (amount per 1 m²).

Cucumbers

Add to the holes when planting in open ground, 30 g of nitroammophos for each square meter.

Next, watch for the appearance of ovaries. From this point on, you can water each bush once with 300 ml of standard solution (28 g per 10 l). The flavor and size of the cucumbers are noticeably improved.

Potatoes

Before planting potatoes, the soil is carefully dug up together with granules of nitroammofoska (25-30 g per 1 m²). Experienced gardeners claim that NPK improves root flavor in many varieties.

When flowers appear, add another 2.5 kg per 100 m².

Strawberry wild-strawberry

2 tbsp is enough for strawberries. l. 1 m² when disembarking, so that it does not hurt and grows actively. In the second year, the bushes can be fed with a solution of 10 liters of water and 2 tbsp. l. NPK. Water after picking the first berries. In the third year of plant life, they are fed in the spring at an early stage of the growing season. The solution is the same, 500 ml is enough for a bush.

Berry bushes and fruit trees

In small proportions, the solution is used for spring foliar feeding of shrubs and fruit trees.

Instructions for use:

1. 1-2 tbsp. l. dissolve granules in warm water (10 l).
2. Spray the bushes in the evening in cloudy weather.

Fruit trees can be fed with dry granules by scattering them around the trunk circle. 1 m² - 35–45 g of substance, for mature trees, you can increase the portion to 70 g per trunk circle.

Berry bushes can also be fertilized "dry", but in the amount of 30–35 g per 1 m²... Such feeding is carried out in the spring before or after flowering.

Ornamental shrubs and flowers

How to feed a nitroammophos rose:

1. In autumn, abundantly moisten the soil around the bushes.
2. Pour the granules and deepen 2–4 cm into the ground, not reaching the roots.
3. You can water the ground with a solution of 2 tbsp. l. nitroammophos for 10 liters of water.

Flowers can be watered with the mineral complex twice a season: in spring after removing the shelter and in autumn before frost. Standard solution.

Houseplants

Nitroammophoska is also used for home flowers. To help indoor greens bloom, spray them with NPK in the spring. The recommended proportion is 10 liters of water + 2-3 tbsp. l. granules.

Seedling

The composition is also used to strengthen the seedlings:

1. The procedure is performed 12-14 days after picking the shoots.
2. 100 ml of solution is poured into one plant.
3. Proportions: 0.5 tbsp. l. for 5 liters of water.
4. It is recommended to repeat the procedure after 14 days.

Security measures, shelf life, disposal

Nitroammofosk belongs to the 3rd class of toxicity for humans (moderately hazardous substance). Work is carried out in protective gloves, goggles, a respirator and long-sleeved clothing.

Signs of poisoning:

• nausea,
• weakness,
• vomiting
• diarrhea,
• liver pain
• noise in ears,
• lowering blood pressure,
• headache.

Such symptoms can occur both after working with the drug and when eating poisoned fruits. At the first sign, you need to induce vomiting and urgently consult a doctor.

How to store nitroammophoska correctly:

• Away from heating devices, sunlight, combustible materials, explosive substances.
• At a temperature not higher than +30 ° С.
• Humidity - up to 50%.
• No access for children and animals.
• In containers made of metal or ceramics, separate from other fertilizers, as well as medicines, feed and food.
• Do not store after the expiration date. Closed packaging remains effective for 18 months, open - 6.

What could go wrong?

Failure to comply with safety measures, the timing of application and the concentration of the solution can harm humans, beneficial insects and the plants themselves:

1. Do not exceed the dosage when watering and spraying greens, otherwise the plant will receive a severe burn and die.
2. Do not mix or add different preparations one after another in order to avoid a negative chemical reaction.
3. Do not forget about the mandatory watering after the introduction of both the solution and the granules.
4. Observe the measure in dressing and timing, so as not to poison the crop with nitrates!

Many factors have made nitroammophoska so popular among summer residents: price, availability, convenience, safety and efficiency. Only an increase in yield and an improvement in taste attracts gardeners to shops for the mineral complex every year. Try and you treat garden crops with this tool, and then evaluate its positive impact.