Fertilizer ?

[270 sniper]

Later This week, I want to plant brassica and a radishes in two plots in NE PA and was advised at Agway that I didn't needed need any fertilizer at planting time based on my soil test that I had done in the spring. I was told just to put down urea after the plants are about 4 inches prior to rain. I have my doubts on the advice that I was given.

My PH on the two plots are between 6.5 and 7 and K & P are above optimum.

Would it be a good idea or a waisted expense to put some 13-13-13 or 19-19-19 at planting time.

 

[bueller]

I think you got good advice.

 

[yoderjac]

I concur. With proper soil health techniques like no-till and smart mix/rotation selection of complementary crops, I use no added N. Keep in mind that fertilizer recommendations are oriented toward farmers that plant and harvest monocultures. N is not even measured in most soil tests food plotters use and the recommendation simply comes from the needs of a particular crop you intend to plant. If it were me, I'd skip the N altogether.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[bueller]

Hitting brassicas with urea before a rainfall when they are about 4" tall is money well spent.

 

[Tap]

So, we know urea degrades when left on the surface for days without rain.
As it degrades, do the white pellets disappear or do they just become weaker?
I spread urea in several spots a couple weeks ago just before a decent rain. We actually got 2" over 3 days. But I still see some urea on the surface. I'm wondering if its still viable.

 

[j-bird]

What happens is plants reach a growth stage where they can better utilize some fertilizers more than others. Nitrogen is able to leach out of the soil and becomes weaker over time. So if the plant doesn't or can't use at in the early growth stages it may be wasted time and money. However, wait until that plant is established and looking for nutrients for vegetative growth and you can see a significant difference. That is why they told you to wait until the plant is a certain size and then apply. This allows the maximum impact of the fertilizer on your plants. Broadcast over the top before a rain and be done with it. Applying a balanced fertilizer like you mention at planting time won't hurt anything, but if your nutrient levels are already OK - your sort of wasting money as well.

We apply anhydrous ammonia during a particular growth stage of corn all the time (well production farmers do). They inject the highest does of N they can down into the soil near the plant roots to ensure as much of it as possible goes to the plant. This is done so the corn gets a good kick-in-the-pants from a growth perspective and ensures the plant has enough N to produce a good soil grain crop. The term or phrase used is called "side-dressing". I did a red-neck version a weekend or two ago where I carried 40 pound bags of urea with a hole cut in the bag down my corn plot rows.....to get a similar affect.

 

[Chrisgriffin3]

Hey guys I have got a similar question I planted a brassica mix roughly 3 weeks ago and used triple 17. Can I still use urea on top of that at the 4 week stage. Plot is in nw North Carolina temps are averaging in the mid 70s. Thanks

 

[Chrisgriffin3]

Here is a few pictures

 

[Tap]

Hey guys I have got a similar question I planted a brassica mix roughly 3 weeks ago and used triple 17. Can I still use urea on top of that at the 4 week stage. Plot is in nw North Carolina temps are averaging in the mid 70s. Thanks

Do you have at least 1/4" to 1/2" of rain in the forecast? Don't broadcast urea until just before a rain even. It will degrade.

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