The three major components important to soil fertilization are nitrogen, which is helpful in promoting leaf development, phosphorous which assists in the formation of sound roots and potassium which aids in plant strength and growth.

In addition to the basic ingredients included in most fertilizer mixes, plants also require 13 other nutrients in order to grow. Along with the major nutrients of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, plants also need carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron and chlorine for optimum health. Oxygen, carbon and hydrogen are furnished to plants in the water and air. Magnesium and calcium are usually well distributed in gardens that have lime incorporated in their soils. Other nutrients such as boron, zinc, manganese, copper and molybdenum are available in the soil as well as the water and the air.

Combined with a sunny location and plenty of water, the major nutrients of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are integral to the fertilization of a vegetable garden. A measure of the pH level or the amount of alkalinity or acidity in the soil is helpful too.

The designated pH value is gauged on a scale of 1 through 14 with the number 7 being neutral. Therefore, any number below 7 is considered acidic while any number above 7 is regarded as alkaline. Most plants produced in a vegetable garden prosper in soils that are somewhat acidic or that have a pH level of 6 to 7. Potatoes though are an exception to this rule and seem to grow better in soils with a pH value of around 5. In addition to the pH level, testing is helpful in a new garden for determining how much calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and soluble salts make up the composition of the soil.

If your soil test indicates that you need to raise the pH of the soil or lower its acidity, then limestone or Calcite should be introduced. If you find your soil is deficient in calcium as well as magnesium, then Dolomite should be added.

As stated, the major nutrients or nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are normally the main ingredients in most fertilizer mixes and are instrumental to the growth of plants. You can add these essential ingredients by using a balanced commercial mix which supplies 10 percent of each ingredient to the soil. By applying a 10-10-10 fertilizer to the vegetable garden on a yearly basis, you will, in most cases, supply the adequate nutrition to your vegetables.

If you have a small amount of vegetables to fertilize, you can use a soluble fertilizer such as houseplant food to feed your plants. Just make sure that you follow label directions so you don’t add too much fertilizer and burn the roots.

Alternatively, if you have a large garden, you can apply an organic fertilizer such as fresh manure. For a garden patch that is, say, about 100 square feet, an application of around a bushel of chicken manure should provide adequate sustenance to your plants. A yearly mix of compost and manure not only enhances tilth but a soil’s fertility.

The best time to add any fertilizer is several days before planting. If you have a fairly big plot you use for gardening, then mulching is beneficial in producing sizeable yields. In addition, mulching is helpful in retaining moisture, controlling the temperature of the soil and conserving water. Organic mulches such as leaves, bark, grass, compost, sawdust, straw or peat moss aid in drainage.

Using a yearly application of fertilizer and supplying mulch to most vegetable gardens increases productivity and positively impacts the taste and size of the vegetables grown.