Stephen Reiners

Professor in the School of Integrative Plant Science

Steve Reiners, professor of horticulture, offers suggestions on how to maintain yields and save on the cost of fertilizer. He can also speak on how to start a vegetable garden and best practices to help experienced gardeners improve their gardens.

Reiners says:

“The cost and availability of fertilizers this spring has gardeners asking how they can maintain yields and save on their fertilizer bill. Here are some suggestions:

• Know how much fertilizer to apply. Soil test at least every three years. This reveals the soil’s nutrient status as well as your soil pH.  Don’t apply more than you need.
• Keep the pH at optimum levels. Soil pH is a measure of acidity. A pH close to 6.5 is optimum for most garden vegetables. Lime if needed.
• Take all your nutrient credits. A one-inch layer of compost or rotted manure will provide most of the nutrients your vegetables need.  You may not need to buy any fertilizer. 
• Encourage deep rooting. Some direct seeded vegetables can easily penetrate 3-4 feet and access deeper nutrients – and water – if the soil is not compacted. Try not walking on beds which compact soils.
• Apply fertilizer at right time. Vegetables don’t need many nutrients the first couple of weeks after planting. Side dress with fertilizer a few weeks after planting, spoon feeding small amounts every two weeks.
• Band and side dress fertilizer rather than preplant broadcast. Band fertilizers a few inches to the side of a row where the nutrients will be picked up by the veggies. Broadcast fertilizers tend to feed the weeds as much as the plants. 
• Fertilize only the beds. Rather than broadcast fertilizer, apply a band only on the beds where the soil will be covered with a plastic or organic mulch like straw. Feed the plants – not the weeds. 
• Match heavy feeders with appropriate beds. Some beds may be more fertile than others. Match the rich beds with heavy feeders like sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, cabbage, and onions. Plant lighter feeders like beans, peas, and radish in lower fertility beds.
• Keep soil moisture optimum. Plants grown in droughty soils will not take up some nutrients. For example, blossom-end rot of tomatoes is technically a result of calcium deficiency, but in NY, 99% of the cases result from dry soils.”

 

Daniel Weitoish

Arborist at Cornell Botanic Gardens

Daniel Weitoish, arboriculture supervisor at Cornell Botanic Gardens, weighs in on choosing appropriate tree species for spring planting and planning for long-term tree care and survival.

Weitoish says:

“Springtime can be ideal for planting trees but be sure you're selecting species that play well with our native flora. Cornell Botanic Garden's invasive species policy can be a valuable resource for identifying the plants with the greatest invasive potential in our region.

“After you've selected the perfect trees for your site, be sure to account for the future care that newly planted trees require. Watering during establishment and dry seasons, support stakes, proper mulching, and deer protection can go a long way to protecting your investment.”