We are always put lot of attention to the nutrition we need in our own diets, every now and then. If we are getting enough iron? protein? Vitamins and other minerals?
Well, these very same questions can be posed to your plants. After all, your backyard and terrace garden babies are living things like you and me, needing the right and healthy nutritional diet to survive.
Do you agree with us? A good gardener, a Farmer knows how and when to fertilize their plant babies, and which plant food and compost to be used for Heathy Harvest.
However, all these come by experience – learn the exact bio nutrients needed at any stage of growth, for health and beauty or even to fill the deficiencies. You don’t have to go through a rough experience of loosing a plant due to lack of experience.
We have good news for you, All you need to do is learn a few simple tricks and tips about plant food – which we will delve into right here in this article!
Plants Need A Healthy Nutritional Diet, Too
Every plant’s health is dependent on the food they consume through fertilizers. A healthy plant diet is comprised of blend of enzymes, minerals and good bacteria like lactobacillus to fight with diseases.
That leads us to the most important factor – what fertilizers are the best for plant’s uptake? What plant diet are you supposed to be paying attention to while buying new fertilizers or pesticides? What do your plants really need?
The answer to that lies in the nature itself. Nature is built to support its co-dependents to form a successful food chain. In simple words you need plant-based fertilizers i.e. Biofertilizers and Bio Pesticides to raise a healthy plant baby.
What are Biofertilizers and Biopesticides?
May come in powdered, granular forms. Gentler on the environment, though slower acting.
A biofertilizer is a substance which accommodates living micro-organisms. These microorganisms, enzymes, when applied to seeds, plant surfaces, or soil, colonize the rhizosphere or the body of the plant and promotes plant growth by increasing the required nutrients to the plant. Hence termed as “Balanced Plant Diet”. Biofertilizers add nutrients to the plant via natural processes of nitrogen fixation, solubilizing phosphorus, and stimulating plant growth through the synthesis of growth-promoting substances. The microbial enzymes in biofertilizers restores the soil’s natural nutrient cycle and enhances the sustainability and the health of the soil.
Similarly, Biopesticides are the pesticides which are derived from natural materials as plants, bacteria, and certain minerals. As of April 2016, there are 299 registered biopesticide active ingredients. These biopesticides are to be applied in regular intervals even when there is no pests or bacterial infections. Enzyme based biopesticides are to be used to prevent pest infestation rather than pest control, these acts as a vaccination for your plants.
Chemicals like nitrates and phosphates contribute to runoff and ecological damage in a longer run, while the consumption of foods and water with vestiges of sodium nitrates and other chemicals are suspected of being potentially dangerous to our own health.
As a result, use of natural, enzyme based biofertilizers are preferred for gardening. Turn to these options for a chemical-free environment and clean food:
Fish emulsion – Typically a byproduct from fisheries, this provides an organic N-P-K ratio, tending to be higher in nitrogen than P or K.
Bone meal – Another byproduct, this gives greater amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen – especially helpful for bulb, root, and transplant development.
Biofertilizers – This is the blend of microbial extracts with good bacteria like lactobacillus that boost natural production of nutrients in the soil around roots, particularly nitrogen, through the process of nitrogen fixation.
Compost –Natural Compost made from dried leaves; kitchen waste provides good base for healthy bacteria to grow in soil. Rather buying compost from nursery you can also create a compost at home by following simple steps.
I hope this article prepares you with the best starting knowledge of gardening, things to look for healthy plant diet. Even comparisons between the benefits of Natural/Biofertilizers versus inorganic fertilizers. Finally spend some time with your plants, destress and enjoy their company and show some love. They love us back. There’s no better way to have the healthiest and most beautiful plants, am I right?
Have anything to share about your knowledge of plant nutrients? Any comments or questions on what you have learned here? Ask away! Talk to us on our social media handles Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin.
