# How to Adjust Nitrogen Level in a Vegetable Garden
Nitrogen is a macronutrient that encourages foliage growth and greening. Nitrogen is naturally present not only in the soil, but also in the air. Nitrogen atoms are broken apart and released for soil absorption by anything from lightning strikes to tiny bacteria. Soil may be deficient of nitrogen, especially if the same vegetable garden spot has been in use for many years. Luckily, it is a simple task to amend nitrogen levels in your garden soil.
Things You'll Need
- Nitrogen fertilizer
- Organic compost
- Cover crop
- Fertilizer spreader
Instructions
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1
Purchase a commercial fertilizer with a first number larger than the other numbers, such as urea, which is 45-0-0. This is a pure nitrogen fertilizer, and can be used without the fear of unbalancing the potassium or phosphorous in your soil.
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2
Add good organic compost to your garden. Adding organic compost increases nutrients minimally, including nitrogen. Avoid woody matter like bark, tree branches, or wood chips; these can leach nitrogen from your soil.
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3
Plant a cover crop over your vegetable garden in the fall, such as winter rye. It can then be tilled under in the spring, utilizing stores of nitrogen in its roots. Till under a cover crop before it reaches 4 inches in height.
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