How to Boost Nitrogen in Soil

Till the soil down to 6 to 8 inches in spring before planting to loosen soil and prepare it for nitrogen-boosting materials.

Mix 1 lb. of balanced, nutrient-rich fertilizer per 1,000 square feet of garden into the tilled soil, working it into the ground with the tiller. A 12-12-12 or 15-15-15 fertilizer will provide nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to garden plants.

Mix 2 parts sawdust, wood shavings or straw to 1 part animal manure to create a slow-release, nitrogen-rich compost for the garden. Animal manure is naturally high in nitrogen. Commercial slow-release nitrogen compost may serve as a substitute if natural manure is difficult to obtain.

Apply a 2-inch layer of the animal manure compost to the garden soil just before planting. Spread the manure evenly over flower and vegetable beds using a rake.

Plant peas, crimson clover, vetch and other legumes throughout the garden to boost nitrogen in soil. The clover, vetch and peas add nitrogen naturally as they decompose.

Add nitrogen-rich 10-0-0 fertilizer to the garden any time plants look yellow or weakly, which signals nitrogen deficiency. The nitrogen is most likely to be needed during summer when plants are experiencing high levels of growth. Spread the fertilizer around plants in need by broadcasting it lightly over the soil by hand.