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Rains leave plants feeling washed out
Sick of the rain yet? However weary one may grow of the showers, it is necessary to continue to welcome the precipitation, because when it stops, I fear that it will come to a very abrupt and screeching halt. What about the plants? How have they handled the rain? From the looks of the tomato plants, I'd say they are benefiting. But not all plants are alike in their fondness for moisture. Some of the drought-tolerant plants that are normally great selections for central Oklahoma are getting a new lesson in water tolerance. A key factor in helping your plants push on through these tropic-like conditions is to maintain the fertility in the soil. It is important that you read this article in its entirety before 200 pounds of fertilizer is applied to the garden. Each garden and lawn is unique and it is important to treat it that way, especially when applying fertilizers. When heavy rains have occurred, some nutrients that are mobile in the soil are leached out of the root zone and therefore, are no longer useful to the plant. Leaching is a fancy way of saying that the nutrients are carried down through the soil structure by the abundant flow of water. Nitrogen is the main nutrient to be concerned with, since it is the source of the lush green growth that is sought after in our lawns. Nutrients that are classified as immobile can be compared to stick-tights. Once applied to the soil, they will wait patiently for a hungry plant to consume them. So these may not be a big concern, unless the garden was already deficient before the rains. Plants might begin to show some washed out and hungry symptoms that a gardener can watch for. Some of the most common are discoloration between the veins on the leaf, or a fading of the vibrant healthy green color. A slow in plant vigor could also be something to watch for. As a general guideline, a source of Nitrogen is the main boost that a garden would need to get back on track after such abundant rainfall. Typically phosphorous and potassium, both in the stick-tight category, are readily present and do not require additional application. So look for a fertilizer that only provides nitrogen, 34-0-0 or 46-0-0. However general the guidelines may be, the best results will always come from the reliable information that is gained from a $10 soil test. To get the specifics on collecting a soil sample contact an OSU Master Gardener at 405-713-1125. In the mean time, enjoy the rain! C 3 7/30/07 Date: 7/24/07 Advertisement
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