Re-Coup Winter Costs: Grow Outdoor

When planting outdoors, it’s highly probable that there will be problems
that may leave plants in a less than perfect state. Even the best cocktail
of nutrient and trace chemicals can still allow a nutrient deficiency.
Grasshoppers may rear their ugly green heads or the nutrient will attract
unsavory company, leading to an infestation that must be dealt with.

There are many variables to growing outdoors, but the most common of
nutrient deficiencies will be encountered during the green foliage growth
period. Lack of nitrogen is the most common deficiency. A large green leafy
plant requires a very high level of nitrogen to achieve its full glory. The
first sign is a gradual creep of yellow among the lowest and therefore
leaves of the plant. If this happens, be sure to add a full ration of
nitrogen to the next watering session. The yellow creep can be cured in
only a few days if it hasn’t progressed to a point at which the tips of the
leaves are curling and black or brown. At that point, it’s a permanent
situation that can’t be remedied. It will be necessary to increase the
amount of nitrogen so it doesn’t damage any newer leaves that would be
higher on the plant. Some other symptoms of a nitrogen deficiency include
red stems, smaller new leaves and slow growth.

A phosphorus deficiency rears its head by slow and stunted growth. The
newer leaves of the plant will be smaller and a darker green than usual. As
with nitrogen deficiency, a red color appears on the stems. The leaves may
also develop a nasty red or purple color in the veins on the underside of
the leaf. If phosphorous isn’t added, the older leaves will start to die.
The affected leaves won’t be healed, but the progression of the damage will
be stopped. The leaves will lighten in color to the beautiful green and the
growth rate will pick up.

A potassium deficiency is often a tricky one to diagnose. Most of the time
a potassium deficient plant will be tall and healthy looking, though they
may be slightly phototropic in appearance. The indicators are the
phototropic appearance and browning of the ends of the oldest leaves. A
phototropic plant is one who expends all of its energy to reach a feeble
light source, thus the tall spindly look they have. Recovery from a
potassium deficiency is usually slow and is measured in weeks. The leaves
that have been browned already usually die off. The leaves will have brown
spots on them, particularly along the prominent center vein. As with most
deficiencies of a serious nature, the stems and underside veins have a
reddish or purple hue to them. The most common source of potassium is wood
ash; so if last year the crop had a potassium deficiency, add a cup of wood
ash this year to the nutrient or growing medium.

There are also deficiencies to be had with the elements iron, manganese,
boron, molybdenum, zinc and copper. Because most outdoor growing mediums
tend to be natural in source, nature has already included the other trace
elements required for most of their life. However, adding trace elements
two or three times in the life of the plant is always a good idea. If the
plants don’t require them, they simply won’t take them up.

For those of growers in the country and planting in the backyard, the
easiest way to keep pests and animals away from the plants is to plant
geraniums around them. The common geranium secretes a substance that acts
as an all-around pest repellent. This is its natural way to combat
predators and has been working great for a lot longer than humans have been
growing grass, so take note. Both animals and pests will shy away from your
crop.

Whatever growing medium that will be used will eventually attract a pest,
then many pests. This infestation of the growing medium can be tricky to
get rid of. If the little critters are in the topmost inch or so of the
growing medium, that medium will have to be replaced. Be gentle with the
root system and deluge the area with a good garden-safe insecticide after
removal of the top inch. It’s important to replace the growing medium with
a chemically-inert medium. Test and alter the pH of the medium as required
to hit a neutral value of seven. The growing medium will eventually adjust
itself to the pH levels the plant is accustomed to over a space of about a
week.

Growing outdoors is an easy and productive means to reduce or even replace
the costs incurred by our green friend over the winter. With the right
knowledge this year’s crop should thrive.


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