What fertilizers do raspberries need in spring, summer and early autumn
Many novice gardeners believe that raspberries are unpretentious and not requires special care... However, this is not the case. In order to harvest a rich harvest, you need to remember to feed the plant at certain times.
This is usually done three times per season: during the setting of berries (May), during the ripening of the fruits (June), and also when buds are formed on the bush, from which a new crop will appear later (August - September). First used nitrogen fertilizers (this is necessary for the good development of the plant), and then mineral supplements (they provide nourishment to the formed fruits and thereby increase the yield).
Top dressing raspberries in spring
The first feeding of raspberries should be done in May. For these purposes, rotted manure is usually used. For 1 sq. m. need 6 kg. manure. It is laid out around the bush and sprinkled with a small layer of earth. This is done in order to preserve all the nutrients of the organic fertilizer.
Many gardeners believe that the most effective way is to use mullein (slurry). It is prepared by dissolving in water. A 10-liter bucket requires half a kilogram of manure. The resulting solution is poured directly under the bush. For 1 sq. m. planting is enough 5 liters of fertilizer.
The working solution is prepared in different ways. Some gardeners prefer to insist it for 2 weeks, others take several days. In any case, the proportions for preparing a solution from chicken manure are the same - 1:20. It is best if you use real chicken manure, but you can buy it at the store too. True, the latter option will be very expensive.
Which of the options above to use depends on the preferences of the gardener himself. Absolutely all methods are effective.
Top dressing of raspberries in the middle of summer
During the period of fruit formation, raspberries also need feeding. True, in this case, organo-mineral supplements are used. For these purposes, fertilizers "Biovita" or "Ideal" are good, for example:
- Fertilizer "Biovita" (granules). To prepare a working solution, you need 20-30 grams. on a bucket of water. The resulting liquid should be infused for a day. Then it is used for feeding. 10 liters is enough for 5-7 sq. m.
- Fertilizer "Ideal". The cooking principle is the same as for the previous product. For 10 liters of water, you usually need 60 grams. (3 tbsp. L.). The solution is immediately ready for use. One bucket is enough for 7 square meters. m.
Top dressing of raspberries in early autumn
The last feeding of raspberries is done in early autumn (first decade of September). In this case, mineral fertilizers are used. This is necessary in order for the flower buds to form as many as possible.
So, for the last feeding one bush will need potassium salt (40 g.) And superphosphate (60g) dry. The granules are introduced into the previously loosened soil; it is best to sprinkle them (granules) with a very thin layer of soil. This will save all the nutrients.
Determine the lack of important trace elements by the appearance of the shrub
It is noticed that according to the external changes of the plant, one can understand what trace elements it lacks or, conversely, in excess.
- lack of nitrogen - leaves are faded, small and grow very slowly;
- excess nitrogen - the shrub grows very quickly, and the unripe berries crumble;
- lack of potassium - the edges of the leaves dry out or curl up, cases are also known when they turn brown;
- lack of phosphorus - this change is visible with the naked eye: the plant is very weak, and the shoots are thin;
- lack of magnesium - the leaves become yellow (mainly in the center), the plant grows slowly;
- lack of iron - the leaves turn yellow, however, not over the entire surface: the veins remain green.
For attentive gardeners, external changes in the shrub are a kind of bell that tells what the plant needs at the moment. If measures are taken in time, then one can expect that a good harvest will still be harvested.
Summing up, it should be said that fertilizers for raspberries are very important. They will help save even the weakest shrubs. In addition, properly applied top dressing can significantly increase the harvest... The main thing is to know the necessary proportions and not to make mistakes when preparing various kinds of fertilizers. If you overfeed the bush, then it can die or get sick for a very long time.