Advantages & Disadvantages of Preplanting Applications of Fertilizer

Why Fertilize?

• Plants pull most of their nutrients from the soil, but the natural cycle to replace those nutrients takes time. In vegetable gardens and annual flowerbeds, when plants are past their prime, they are removed, interrupting that cycle. New plants need nutrients to grow but have to survive on the leftovers from the previous plants. The depleted soil produces small plants with poor coloring and poor production of flowers and produce. Fertilizers replace what's missing.

Easier Application

• In order to know what kind and how much fertilizer to apply, you need to take a soil sample and test it or take it to your local cooperative extension office for testing. Also, leaving fertilizer on the surface of the soil encourages runoff during irrigation or rain, which could contaminate waterways. Taking soil samples and properly turning the fertilizer into the soil is more easily accomplished before planting.

A Strong Start

• Freshly germinated seedlings draw nutrients from their decomposing seed coats. Unfortunately, those nutrients do not last long. Young plants need food, especially phosphorus, to grow and flourish. Many plants never recover from a bad start of insufficient nutrition. Applying fertilizers before planting allows you to apply a phosphorus-heavy fertilizer for new plants and to create a healthy environment in which new plants can pull plenty of food from the soil and grow strong.

Time to Work

• Some fertilizers are quick-release, and some are slow-release. Quick-release fertilizers have nutrients that are immediately available to plants. Slow-release, or time-release, fertilizers need time to react with water or other elements and release nutrients into the soil. Applying fertilizers, especially slow-release fertilizers, before planting provides some time for the fertilizers to begin working.

Disadvantages

• Young seedlings are tender and need special care. Strong fertilizers can burn roots and harm the plants. When applying fertilizers before planting, the fertilizers need time to break down to prevent damaging the new plants.