When Should You Put Down a High Potassium Fertilizer in Georgia?

Importance of Potassium

• Potassium, with the chemical symbol K, is the K portion of the formula on fertilizer packages. Along with nitrogen and phosphorus, potassium is a crucial nutrient for plant growth. Potassium is absorbed by plants in larger amounts than any other nutrient, except nitrogen and sometimes calcium, according to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. Potassium is an enzyme activator, triggering the stomates -- plant structures that allow air and water to flow in and out of the plant cells. Potassium is a fundamental component in the building of plant proteins, the process of photosynthesis and disease resistance in plants. Potassium promotes flowering and fruiting in many garden plants. Insufficient potassium can lead to reduced crop yields.

Potassium Deficiency

• Potassium deficiencies in turfgrass and garden plants can lead to yellowing of the foliage. It can lead to necrosis, or the death, of plant tissues. Plants with potassium deficiency may appear stunted. Darkened areas may show up between the veins on older leaves. Leaf tissues eventually turn brown and die. A soil test is the best way to determine the potassium level in your soil. The local agricultural extension service in your area can help assist you with soil testing.

Georgia Soils

• Many people are familiar with the red, clay soil associated with the state of Georgia. Not all soil in Georgia is red, however. The red color comes from the amount of iron oxides in the soil. Much of the soil contains granite and gneiss rock due to the heavy rainfall common in the state. Red oxide is an indication that there is a low amount of organic matter in the soil. The soil in many lawns in Georgia tends to be low in potassium, according to University of Georgia specialists Gil Landry and Clint Waltz. This deficiency can affect root development and plant processes that keep lawns healthy.

When To Use Potassium Fertilizer in Georgia

• High potassium fertilizers are generally added to Georgia lawns in early summer to prepare them for the hot, humid summer months. Potassium helps strengthen the root structure and promotes disease resistance in plants during the growing season. Supplying potassium again in late summer helps prepare the lawn for the cool winter months.