Helen Chesnut's Garden Notes: How to fix soil that has too much nitrogen

Helen Chesnut's Garden Notes: How to fix soil that has too much nitrogen The quickest way to rebalance soil that is overloaded with nitrogen is to water with Alaska MorBloom, which contains phosphorus and potassium but no nitrogen. Helen Chesnut Jun 26, 2024 4:15 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Previous Next 1 / 1 This Vulcan rhododendron was propagated from a rooted “layer” taken from its parent plant, to the right. Helen Chesnut photo.

Garden column Wednesday, June 26. Advertisement Expand Listen to this article 00:04:52 Dear Helen: I think the soil in my raised beds is over-loaded with nitrogen. The carrots are all lush, leafy tops while few useable roots seem to be developing.

How can I rectify this? R.S. Probably the quickest way to rebalance the soil would be to water with Alaska MorBloom, which has no nitrogen.

It’s nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio is 0-10-10. Avoid using a highly concentrated solution. A weekly application at a rate slightly more dilute than the recommended label rate will be more effective.

For longer term, consider side-dressing plants with rock phosphate and kelp meal. Take these measures in small doses at a time though. Dear Helen: I don’t remember the brand of top soil I bought to replenish an area where a large shrub had been removed, but in the following year I noticed fine, light green, grassy weeds sprouting between the plantings I’d made in the site.

My attempts to re.