Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the most important nutrients that plants need to grow. Potassium levels can be reduced by being carried away by the flow of water or used to produce flowers and fruit. You will have to make adjustments to the soil to cope with the depleted potassium conditions. Fortunately, there are many organic solutions that can be used for both short-term and long-term soil maintenance. To maintain plant fertility and maximize yields, add potassium when the plant begins to flower or the plant turns yellow. Also, do a soil test every 1-2 years so you know exactly what improvements need to be made.
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Method 1 of 3: Adding Fast-Working Supplements
Step 1. Mix potassium chloride (KCL) or potassium sulfate
Potassium chloride, or potassium chloride, and potassium sulfate, or potassium sulfate, are naturally occurring minerals. Potassium chloride tends to be cheaper, but the chlorine content can damage the good microbes that live in the soil. Potassium sulfate is safer, but slightly more expensive.
- Read the product label for exact instructions on the amount needed per square meter.
- Make sure you buy products that are certified by an Organic Certification Institute (LSO).
Step 2. Try kelp or seaweed fertilizer
Kelp and other types of seaweed are rich in potassium, and are released quickly into the soil. You can mix a few handfuls of dry kelp fertilizer into the soil or spray it with liquid seaweed spray.
Mix about 450 grams of kelp fertilizer for every 9 square meters of soil
Step 3. Try Sul-Po-Mag
This product is also called langbeinite or potassium magnesium sulfate and is the most affordable alternative. This product is best suited if the soil sample shows low potassium and magnesium content.
Check the packaging label to make sure the product is certified and know what the recommended amount is for each square meter of land
Step 4. Add hardwood ash only if you need to increase the pH of the soil
Sprinkle about 450-900 grams of ash for every 9 square meters of soil. Wood ash increases pH or reduces soil acidity. If you are using wood ash to increase the potassium level of the soil, it is a good idea to test the pH regularly to make sure the soil has a balanced balance of these elements.
Do not use wood ash around acidic soils, such as azaleas or blueberries
Method 2 of 3: Using Compost and Slow-Releasing Supplements
Step 1. Add green sand to the soil
Use about 2.25 kg for every 9 square meters of land. Green sand releases potassium at a slow rate. This option is more suitable for long-term soil maintenance than short-term adjustments. Green sand also works as a conditioner and helps the soil retain water.
In addition to mixing green sand directly into the soil, you can also add it to the compost pile to increase the potassium content in the compost
Step 2. Add granite dust
Granite dust is mined from natural granite quarries and is relatively inexpensive. Like green sand, granite dust releases potassium slowly making it unsuitable for short-term solutions.
Step 3. Bury the banana peel in the soil
Cut the banana peel into small pieces and bury it to a depth of about 2.5-5 cm in the ground. It takes time for the banana peel to rot. That way, the banana peel will release potassium more slowly than other supplements.
Adding banana peels to the soil directly will help ward off aphids
Step 4. Strengthen the compost composition with banana peels
To increase the potassium content in compost, add fruit and vegetable waste. Banana peels are the best mainstay, but orange peels, lemon peels, beets, spinach, and tomatoes can be great choices too.
Remember that compost can take weeks or months to mature
Step 5. Cover the compost to prevent potassium leaching
Use a closed container or cover the compost pile with a tarp when not in use. Potassium compounds are water soluble and that means rainfall can easily wash them off the compost.
Method 3 of 3: Knowing When to Add Potassium
Step 1. Perform a soil test every 1-2 years
Most gardeners recommend testing a soil sample in a laboratory every 2 years. If you are a serious gardener and want to maximize yields, do a soil test every season before you start planting.
- The test results will show whether the soil has a low, moderate, or high content of potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients.
- Search the internet for your nearest university or testing laboratory, or contact your local agricultural extension center for information.
Step 2. Add potassium when the plant begins to flower and bear fruit
If you grow fruit and vegetables, prevent potassium deficiency by giving potassium injections when the plants begin to flower. As plants flower and change, the supply of potassium in the soil can be depleted in just a few days.
Step 3. Add potassium if you see signs of deficiency
Signs of potassium deficiency include yellowing of the leaves and browning of leaf margins. Discoloration usually occurs on the older leaves first or on the lower leaves. In fruit crops, such as tomatoes, you will see uneven ripening or yellow blotches on the fruit.
Step 4. Watch the plant more closely if the soil is sandy
Due to its high solubility, potassium can easily seep out of the soil, especially if the soil conditions are rough and sandy. Watch the plant closely if you know potassium is prone to dissolving. If possible, do more frequent soil tests..
Improving sandy soil conditions with manure and mature compost can help prevent solubilization
Step 5. Look for signs of magnesium deficiency
By adding potassium, the amount of other nutrients absorbed by plants can be lowered. Potassium competes with magnesium directly. So, look for a yellowish tint between the leaf veins. The veins themselves remain green, but the leaf blades in between will turn yellow.
