Apply fertilizer to garlic in spring.Different usages in two periods
Urea is a commonly used fertilizer and the one with the highest nitrogen content. Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth and plays a crucial role in the development of garlic leaves. If the leaves of garlic are weak, yellowish and grow slowly in the early stage of growth, applying urea can quickly make the leaves dark green and lush.
During the spring regreening period of garlic, topdressing is usually done with nitrogen fertilizer as the main component, because the regreening period of garlic mainly focuses on the growth of stems and leaves, and the fertilizer should also be mainly nitrogen. However, when applying nitrogen fertilizer, it is advisable to mix in a small amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to enhance the robustness of the garlic stems, prevent lodging, and increase disease resistance.
Compound fertilizers are quite different from urea. For instance, during the period when garlic plants are developing and expanding, they require more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. Choosing a fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is more beneficial for the growth of garlic, allowing the garlic bulbs to grow larger and fuller. Moreover, the fertilizer effect of compound fertilizers is relatively long-lasting, providing a stable nutrient supply for garlic over a longer period of time.
However, the nutrient content of compound fertilizers is relatively low, and it may not be able to fully meet the specific needs of garlic at a certain growth stage. If used improperly, it may result in some nutrients being excessive while others being insufficient.
The regreening period is a crucial stage in garlic growth. During this time, garlic needs to grow leaves while also preparing for the growth of its bulb. At this point, a high-nitrogen type nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer can be chosen. Alternatively, urea mixed with an appropriate amount of potassium fertilizer can be used, or decomposed organic fertilizer can be employed. This can not only meet the nitrogen requirements for leaf growth but also provide phosphorus and potassium elements for the subsequent development of the bulb.
The growth period of garlic sprouts is the most vigorous stage of garlic growth and also the critical period when the garlic head begins to develop. At this time, the demand for nutrients is the greatest. At this point, high-nitrogen and high-potassium compound fertilizers can be applied as a top dressing, such as 20:10:20 compound fertilizer. Alternatively, fermented organic fertilizer water can also be used to meet the dual needs of garlic sprout growth and bulb expansion.
During the period when the bulbs start to enlarge, the roles of phosphorus and potassium become even more prominent. You can choose a compound fertilizer with low nitrogen, low phosphorus and high potassium, such as a 10:5:25 compound fertilizer. Alternatively, you can apply it by mixing 1 part of urea with 2 parts of potassium sulfate as a top dressing.
Summary: Whether to use urea or compound fertilizer for garlic fertilization cannot be generalized. It should be selected based on the different growth stages of garlic and the soil fertility conditions. Urea has an advantage in quickly supplementing nitrogen elements, while compound fertilizer can provide more comprehensive and long-lasting nutrients. As long as we master their characteristics and usage methods, we can make the garlic grow vigorously and achieve a bountiful harvest!
